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Sidewalk Astronomy clouded out again tonight

by Jane Houston Jones

You don't really need this email to know that it's cloudy outside. We'll be canceling our Monrovia sidewalk astronomy night tonight as a result. Here's something you "can" try at home, once the clouds go away, that is: *Periodic Comet Hartley 2* remains about 6th magnitude, appearing big, round, and dim in binoculars. This week it's crossing Auriga and passing its closest to Earth (on October 20th). Here are some nice charts from Sky and Telesocpe magazine. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/102632669.html This chart is through the 18th, and the above link has more charts for the next few weeks and months. I think it's easiest to tip this week's chart 90 degrees counter-clockwise so Capella is at the bottom and Cassiopeia is at the top. Capella is a very bright star, and you'll be able to see it from the city. Then look to your north and find the "W" shape of Cassiopeia, and then scan the cloud-free sky night by night. I have not seen it from the city, but I will still try. After next week, it will require a late night or - after midnight wake-up to see the constellation Gemini. Good luck! My monthly podcast this month is about the solar system, and includes a solar system you can make! Several "How to make" activities are on the "related links" section below the podcast versions. http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-view.cfm?WUID=584 Finally, when I was researching this month's podcast I came across a solar system necklace kit. I ordered one, made it in a couple hours, and I've been wearing mine every day. Here is what it looks like: http://www.etsy.com/listing/58924445/kit-solar-system-necklace-proportional . Mine cost $24.50, tho' there are several more expensive versions. I requested a "movable" comet to represent Comet Hartley 2, and the artist has added this to the products she sells, and I have the prototype on my necklace. http://www.etsy.com/listing/59022470/comet-pendant-re-positionable That's all for this month, November 12 and 13 are the likely Pasadena and Monrovia sidewalk astronomy nights next month, and I'll be heading to Mojave National Preserve (MNP) on October 30th for dark sky stargzing with the National Park Conservation Association, and the MNP friends and staff. Limited campsites at Black canyon Group Camp site available, RSVP for a free campsite to: David Lamfrom <dlamfrom(a)npca.org>. Let me know if you will bring a telescope. Telescopes are not required, I just want to know how many as there is a small platform to put up to 5-6 scopes on. -- Jane Houston Jones Monrovia, CA My What's Up Podcast: Oct 2010-The Solar System NASAhttp://is.gd/fILSF Youtubehttp://is.gd/eSMnh Twitter:http://twitter.com/jhjones /CassiniSaturn /otastro Blog:http://jane.whiteoaks.com/

15 years, 5 months

Bummer weather

by Morris Jones

I know we've been lazy about updating the web site, but there's always another sign: When you start seeing the crescent moon in the evening sky, growing bigger every day, you know it's coming up on a sidewalk astronomy weekend. Unfortunately the weather isn't looking very good this weekend. We're going to call off Pasadena tonight for fog, clouds, and a chance of rain. Tomorrow in Monrovia could be better, but I'll send an update tomorrow morning as the forecasts come out. Meanwhile if you do get some clear sky, glance up in the evening and enjoy seeing the bright gibbous moon growing towards full a week from tonight. Brilliant Jupiter is in the east in the evening, and crossing the southern sky all night as the earth turns. More tomorrow ... Mojo -- Morris Jones, Monrovia, CA http://bridgemojo.com http://otastro.org http://mojo.whiteoaks.com

15 years, 5 months

Int'l Observe the moon night and a science volunteer opportunity

by Jane Houston Jones

Hi everyone! This Saturday, September 18th will be our regular Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers viewing event in Monrovia, but it is also International Observe the Moon Night, and there will be many lunar viewing events around the world. Ours, at Library Park, corner of Myrtle and Lime in Monrovia will go from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. To see where other events are happening, check this map: http://observethemoonnight.org/ or look at this list: http://observethemoonnight.org/getInvolved/eDescriptions.cfm We will have a few special handouts - a gorgeous lunar map made just for this night and some little red flashlights. I don't have a lot of the flashlights (combo keychain, flashlight and whistle) , so they will be distributed to the first 75 or so attendees. When they are gone, they are gone. ;-) There are other events that day and night which our little band of sidewalk astronomers will be supporting. Some of us will be at Griffith Observatory for their all-day and night event, which also serves as a 95th birthday party for Sidewalk Astronomers founder John Dobson. Mojo and I will be there in the afternoon for the cake and candles. John and friends will build a 12-inch sidewalk telescope in the daytime and use it in the evening to view the moon. If you want to go to that event I wouldn't blame you, and won't be mad or anything. ;-) There are events at Monrovia High School, the Huntington Library, and the aforementioned Griffith Park event - all for your viewing pleasure. Attend one or many! Or host your own event at home or on your sidewalk. I will bring my beloved homemade 10-inch Dobsonian telescope Saturday night. I made it in John's telescope making class in 1988, and it gives gorgeous moon views. John taught the class and was old back then! :-) Today, September 14th is John's actual 95th birthday. Happy birthday John! Thanks, for igniting a fire within me, and starting me on the path to become an astronomy educator and public service science advocate. It's all John's fault! :-) ********** Here's the volunteer opportunity I put in the subject line. If you have questions, please contact the DPS volunteer coordinator, Dr. Bidushi Bhattacharya (bhattach(a)ipac.caltech.edu) Dear Amateur Astronomer, The upcoming Division of Planetary Sciences (DPS) Meeting, American Astronomical Society, is in need of volunteers. We need individuals to support various tasks in the DPS cyber cafe, press office, speaker ready room, and at the registration desk. The meeting will be held in Pasadena, October 3-8, 2010 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Volunteers will have their meeting registration fees waived if they work a minimum of 16 hours. You will also receive a free t-shirt, making you part of a select and fashionable group!! This is a good opportunity to learn more about solar system (and exoplanet) astronomy at a professional meeting, become familiar with recent research results, and network with potential advisors/employers. Full details regarding the conference, including a list of talks and posters, can be found at: http://dps.aas.org/meetings/2010/index.shtml The volunteer form can be accessed at: http://aas.org/meetings/dps/volunteerform If you have questions, please contact the DPS volunteer coordinator, Dr. Bidushi Bhattacharya (bhattach(a)ipac.caltech.edu) -- Jane Houston Jones Monrovia, CA http://jane.whiteoaks.com/ http://twitter.com/jhjones What's Up for September? Observe the Moon Night http://sse.jpl.nasa.gov/news/index.cfm

15 years, 6 months

Weekend at Yosemite, moon in Monroia!

by Jane Houston Jones

Getaway weekend suggestion! Come up to Yosemite's Glacier Point! Mojo and I are heading up to Glacier Point with the San Jose Astronomical Association this labor day weekend . Jupiter should be magnificent. The only moon we expect to see is early in the morning when a slender crescent rises above Half Dome as seen from the Glacier Point amphitheatre.This magic happens from July through Labor Day. But speaking of the moon, the countdown is on! International Observe the Moon Night is September 18th! There is a fantastic website here: http://observethemoonnight.org/downloads/. I linked to the page with the awesome moon map handout. :-) Anyways, my September 2010 What's Up Podcast is all about this moon - check it out here! Many versions and a link to iTunes http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-view.cfm?WUID=564 Youtube http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=JPLnews#p/u/0/wq0XfghpHH0 If you want some NASA lunar lithographs handouts for your club's September 18th International Observe the Moon Night event, send me a note with mailing address and telephone number at that address and I will send out a nice handout -I can handle 50-100 handouts. Request before the 10th and my package should arrive in time. Now back to your regular programming! :-) -- Jane Houston Jones Monrovia, CA My What's Up Podcast: Sept 2010: NASA http://is.gd/eSMhz Youtube http://is.gd/eSMnh Twitter: http://twitter.com/jhjones /CassiniSaturn /otastro Blog: http://jane.whiteoaks.com/

15 years, 7 months

Astronomy tonight in Monrovia

by Morris Jones

Tonight we'll have a slender crescent moon, a slender crescent Venus, and our last glance at Saturn until next year. Venus, Saturn, and Mars are grouped nicely in the west at twilight, and set quickly. We'll be at Myrtle & Lime in Old Town Monrovia, Library Park, from about 7:30 'til 9:00 tonight. Cheers, Mojo -- Morris Jones, Monrovia, CA http://bridgemojo.com http://otastro.org http://mojo.whiteoaks.com

15 years, 7 months

A warm-up act before the Perseids

by Jones, Jane H (1862)

Not everyone will be able to get to a dark sky or stay up late enough to see the Perseid Meteor shower tonight, so I have a little warm-up act for you to view. In the hour after sunset the planets and moon make a beautiful diversion and one you don't have to leave home to see. Tomorrow's view is pretty too, with the moon, so check out the view on both nights. Here's a little writeup about the planetary view with some fun graphics and photos: http://jane.whiteoaks.com/2010/08/10/a-warm-up-act-for-the-perseids/ It was fun to run the JPL Solar System Simulator and see the planets in their orbits. Take it on a spin to see where the Voyagers are right now. In case you are wondering, I'm heading out to Amboy Crater tonight with a couple of the other Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers. Amboy Crater is just south of Mojave National Preserve on US 40. It's the closest "darkest of the dark spots" on the International Clear Sky Chart. http://cleardarksky.com/csk/prov/California_map.html?Mn=eyepiece If you decide to make the long drive (over 200 miles), you are welcome to join us. We will be trying to preserve our dark adaption as best we can from 11pm until 4am, so be careful with your car lights, flashlights, cell phones, Ipods, cameras and other bright things. Use them away from the observers. :-) No telescope required, just a comfy chair and plenty of water. The forcast low overnight will be in the high 80's. :-( To follow the Perseids vicariously watch or comment on the JPL Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/NASAJPL?ref=ts and /or watch any of these Twitter hashtags: #perseids, #IMOmeteors #meteorwatch ;-) 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 What's Up For August? Perseids! http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-archive.cfm

15 years, 7 months

A little observing from the desert

by Morris Jones

This past weekend was "new moon" when we often take the opportunity to get out from under the Los Angeles light dome and see the real night sky. This weekend's was a fun observing trip for planets, lightning, meteors, and a great night sky. I have pictures and an observing report here: http://mojo.whiteoaks.com/2010/08/09/sky-full-of-planets-and-lightning/ Next new moon weekend coincides with the Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-6, and we'll be joining the San Jose Astronomical Society in Yosemite National Park at Glacier Point for three nights of great observing in one of the best night skies on the planet. We'll have sidewalk astronomy in Monrovia next weekend, and Pamela Park the following weekend. More on that in a few days. Jane will post some more about the Perseid meteor shower later this week, and right now you can enjoy her What's Up podcast about the Perseids here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxBc4dA37So The meteor shower is ongoing with a peak Thursday night / Friday morning, but good meteors all week. Mojo -- Morris Jones, Monrovia, CA http://bridgemojo.com http://otastro.org http://mojo.whiteoaks.com

15 years, 8 months

What's Up for August? Perseids, of course!

by Jones, Jane H (1862)

The Perseids will make summertime extra special this year because the moon will not interfere with the meteor show. Plus, as a bonus, a trio of planets plus the moon make a sunset appearance on the nights surrounding the peak of the Perseids on August 12-13. Our solar system is on display 24-7! This month's What's Up podcast features the Perseids, naturally! It has some nice animation of the why and where of meteors, and talks about all the upcoming comet and asteroid missions. It also touches on Mars in August, and offers a good night to use that Mars hoax email to practice some critical thinking skills. On August 12-14, the moon and Mars appear near one another for all to see and compare. On the Solar System Exploration website are all the many formats of the video. Including some with captions - perfect to show on a screen in a busy planetarium or museum without audio. I included some edible rocks and asteroid recipes this month in the education section. I've also linked to "the Fluxtimator" to see how many meteors you can see in your area. What's Up Video and Blog page: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-archive.cfm Here is the JPL YouTube page with lots of other content: http://www.youtube.com/user/JPLnews For the past eight years, I've updated a Mars in August page, and this year I use it as a great way to teach critical thinking to the public. If you're interested, here it is: http://www.otastro.org/Mars2005/ Next month (September 2010) my video will be about the moon for International Observe the Moon night. http://observethemoonnight.org/ 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 What's Up For August? Perseids! http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-archive.cfm

15 years, 8 months

Tonight's full moon ...

by Morris Jones

On the way home from the movies, Jane snapped a lovely picture of the full moon rising over Pasadena. I realized that there was a fun short beautiful astronomy lesson to be had in that one post. Did you see this lovely moon tonight as well? Read the deeper observations here: http://mojo.whiteoaks.com/2010/07/24/just-another-full-moon/ Cheers, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://mojo.whiteoaks.com Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers http://otastro.org

15 years, 8 months

Free telescope, Cassini videos, happy 400th Galileo's Saturn view

by Jane Houston Jones

I was asked by a colleague to see if anyone might want a free telescope, complete with eyepieces. I asked him to take some pictures, and I am offering it to our Sidewalk Astronomy email list first. When I saw the pictures of the telescope, I just had to tell a story about it, so here's the story and the free telescope offer. First person to call Steve and arrange pickup will get it. Don't call or email me with questions - I am out of the office and traveling until Monday. http://jane.whiteoaks.com/2010/07/20/free-telescope-to-first-caller/ Steve is also featured in this awesome video from Cassini today. It's comparing Titan's lakes to Death Valley's Racetrack Playa and the video is on this page. http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/video/videodetails/?videoID=213 The YouTube version is here: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=JPLnews#g/u Finally, back to the solar system. :-) I was in Washington DC last week as part of NASA's 400 years of Discovery - from Galileo to the Outer Planets exhibit in the U.S. House of Representatives Rayburn Office Building. The day of our event was also the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first telescopic look at Saturn. so I wrote this little piece about it for our NASA Solar system Exploration website. Ta da! http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-archive.cfm Here is what the exhibit looked like: http://photo.whiteoaks.com/2010-07-15-DC/slides/IMG_7009.html Over and out, Jane -- Jane Houston Jones Monrovia, CA http://jane.whiteoaks.com/ http://twitter.com/jhjones What's Up for July? Dark Nebulae http://sse.jpl.nasa.gov/news/index.cfm

15 years, 8 months

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