Sorry for the late announcement - we've been busy.....
The forecast for Friday and Saturday nights is mostly clear. That
means the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers will be setting up telescopes
for public views of Saturn (and the moon) both nights. Venus will
also be a beautiful sight, in the west, no telescopes needed.
The same locations as every month - (weather will be clear and cold)
Friday Night Feb 23, 6:30 -9:30 p.m. Colorado Blvd somewhere between
Fair Oaks and Pasadena Avenues depending on parking. 2 telescopes,
long lines (there is no room for more telescopes, and we pick them up
and move them to get out of the trees and lights.
Saturday Night Feb 24, 6:30 9:30, or later if there is a big crowd)
Library Park, corner of Myrtle and Lime Streets, Monrovia. Our usual
group of astronomers bring 4 to 8 telescopes usually, less crowded,
lots of free parking. :-)
Website: http://www.otastro.org/ You can always check the weather
in the top right of the page. Click on "weather permitting".
Other events for the astronomy enthusiast: http://www.mwoa.org/events.htm
Jane
--
Jane Houston Jones
Senior Outreach Specialist, Cassini Program
JPL - 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 230-205
Pasadena, CA 91109 818-393-6435
jane.h.jones(a)jpl.nasa.gov
Cassini Saturn Observation Campaign
http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
We've been watching the weather forecasts and satellite images all day
and unfortunately, the clouds and rain predicted for tonight are
beginning to arrive. I can see the bands of clouds on the western
horizon already. So we're officially cancelling our Saturn viewing for
tonight. Luckily, we'll plenty more viewing opportunities in the coming
weeks and months.
If you enjoy weather watching, the National Weather Service website is
fascinating. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/
We have a link to a local weather page from our Old Town Sidewalk
Astronomers wepage, too, right next to where we cancelled tonight's
event. http://www.otastro.org/
You can watch the storm as it nears on this infrared satellite loop
http://sat.wrh.noaa.gov/satellite/satloop.php?wfo=lox&type=ir&size=2
Sorry, we'll rescheule. Jane and Mojo
--
Jane Houston Jones
Monrovia, CA
34.2048N 118.1732W, 637.0 feet
http://www.whiteoaks.com
Old Town Astronomers: http://www.otastro.org
This coming Saturnday :-) we are hoping to hold a Saturn viewing
event in Monrovia, but the weather forecast is poor. If it is partly
cloudy or clear, of course we'll be there - beginning when Saturn is
visible at 8 p.m. until 10 or 11 p.m. If it is raining, or
threatening rain, we'll cancel the event, and we'll make a note on
our website under "Next Sidewalk Opportunity"
Our next viewing nights for Saturn and the moon will be February 23
(Colorado Blvd between Fair Oaks and Pasadena Avenues) in Pasadena
and on February 24th (Library Park, Myrtle and Lime Streets) in
Monrovia. We'll begin at 6 p.m. both nights, but Saturn won't rise
above the trees or buildings until after 7 p.m.
Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy this article about Saturn.
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/features/feature20070207.cfm
Part of my job at JPL is to manage a 350 strong volunteer group
called the Saturn Observation Campaign.
http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/members.cfm We have 350 members in 52
countries, and in 45 states of the USA.
On Saturday night many of us all around the world will be looking at
Saturn from their back yard, or conducting a community Saturn
Observing event, or visiting a classroom. If it is cloudy and we
can't show Saturn on Saturday, you can look on the link below and see
where Saturn is lurking beyond the clouds. And then you can pretend
you are looking through the eyepiece of one of the telescopes at
Saturn and it's moons. http://www.whiteoaks.com/jane/2007socsaturn/
Hope it is clear Saturday, but luckily we have many more months of
prime Saturn viewing!
Jane
--
Jane Houston Jones
Senior Outreach Specialist, Cassini Program
JPL - 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 230-205
Pasadena, CA 91109 818-393-6435
jane.h.jones(a)jpl.nasa.gov
Cassini Saturn Observation Campaign
http://soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
