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492 discussions

by Jane Houston Jones

Our astronomer Gary provides this great (but unfortunate and untimely) weather report for tonight. It looks like the clouds will obscure the only object we could be looking at, plus it's hot and muggy, so we are voting to cancel tonight's event. "There’s a stationary high pressure region sitting off the coast and everything is rotating counter-clockwise about it. Today’s warm temps are pulling moisture out of the ocean and Gulf which is then moving North to our cooler air and condensing to form clouds. Forecast seems unlikely to clear but the forecast is also kind of hazy (if you’ll forgive the pun)! Gary -- Jane Houston Jones Solar System Public Engagement What's Up April: Moon,Mars,Saturn plus Lyrid meteors https://youtu.be/f2svvMGSwW8 NEW! FaceBook Watch What’s Up video page! https://www.facebook.com/NASAWhatsUp/

6 years

Sidewalk Astronomy Saturday April 21

by Jane Houston Jones

There are a lot of astronomical events coming up! Saturday night we'll most likely be moving to another corner of Library Park because our corner will be used by a check-in booth for the Monrovia Wine Walk http://www.cityofmonrovia.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/4937/ The registrants will be collecting their tickets near our usual setup area and they've almost asked us to move (I called about it -- talked to two people about it, but the person who would call me back with a decision in an hour never did). I tried. So if you don't see telescopes on that busy corner, walk around the Library Park block. Primrose/Lime corner looks promising, we'll check it out tomorrow when the wine even gets started. We'll have a great moon view, and no planets Saturday night. But all this wind and cooler weather may mean an exceptional moon viewing night. If you are up early Saturday or Sunday morning, you might see some Lyrid Meteors, early am hours, and the moon will wash some out, but observing from home: just get to an area where the moon is blocked, and look up! What's Up April (linked in my signature line, has the info: May 5th: launch of a mission --> to Mars, InSight will be visible from Central California to Mexico. 4:05 a.m. on Cinco de Mayo with a launch window until June 8th. I talk about it in May What's Up video, because Mars and the moon will be visible in the sky at the exact time of the first launch opportunity on May 5th. How cool is that? To see an interplanetary launch from SoCal if you have a West and South unobstructed horizon). I worked on InSight for three years, and it is near and dear to my heart. :-) Next Mojave National Preserve star party the following weekend, May 12th. RSVP here as the free group campsite gets crowded. https://www.facebook.com/events/159520131414032/ I thing that's all for this month..... -- Jane Houston Jones Solar System Public Engagement What's Up April: Moon,Mars,Saturn plus Lyrid meteors https://youtu.be/f2svvMGSwW8 NEW! FaceBook Watch What’s Up video page! https://www.facebook.com/NASAWhatsUp/

6 years

Sidewalk Astronomy cancelled tonight: Too many clouds, wind, cold, potential rain

by Jane Houston Jones

All of those things led to cancelling tonight's sidewalk astronomy in Monrovia. Sorry about that, everyone. Next dates will be April 21, and May 19 (option for the 26th too) Between now and those May Sidewalk dates, we have our twice-a-year Mojave National Preserve Star party! Look to to our emails/website or ask us if you have any questions. Oh, What's Up March video is linked below! -- only 9 more (from me) before I retire from JPL near year-end 2018! -- Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @otastro What's Up March? Zodiacal Light,Sunset: Mercury+Venus, Midnight to predawn: Mars, Saturn, Jupiter https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/video/details.php?id=1522

6 years, 1 month

No astronomers tonight

by Morris Jones

It should be a clear cold night with a lovely moon, but all of our astronomers seem to be traveling or otherwise engaged this evening. If you're up very late, look for bright Jupiter in the south/southeast sky. Venus will be returning to the evening sky over the next few days, following the sun in the west. Cheers, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://bridgemojo.com http://mojo.whiteoaks.com

6 years, 2 months

Next Sidewalk Astronomy + January 31 lunar eclipse!

by Jane Houston Jones

Hi everyone. Our next sidewalk astronomy event will be January 27th followed by February 24th. Right now there are no evening planets to view in the evening sky so it will be a chance to focus on the moon (which I love showing more even that the planets). I always bring some excellent moon maps (but you have to ask for them) and the famous NASA moon lithograph, which are at all telescopes. Just a few days later on the morning of January 31st (unfortunately a work/school night) we will have a lunar eclipse.. My monthly What's Up video covers the eclipse. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/video/details.php?id=1517 In a nutshell: Eclipse starts 2:51 am. January 31st. Totality 4:51 am to 6:07 am. Moon sets 6:55 am before partial eclipse is complete from California. We will be able to see total phase lasting 1 hour 16 minutes, but it will be extremely low to the western horizon, so anyone with trees or mountains to their west will need to get to a flat area….. Then the moon sets before the end of the eclipse. Watch from 2:51 am until totality is underway about 5 am if you can. If not there will be images on our sidewalk astronomers facebook page (link below) afterwards. The earlier partial phase will be higher in the sky, so depending on your preference and Wednesday work schedule, try for part of it. No, we will not be at Library Park between 2 am and dawn, sorry! Find a good western horizon and enjoy!! As always, all our dates are on our : webpage http://www.otastro.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OTAstro/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/otastro Plus you can always ask a question by email sidewalk(a)otastro.org See you soon under the bright lights and moon in Monrovia!! Jane (and happy birthday Mojo January 18h, and our anniversary January 15th!) Jane -- Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @otastro What's Up January: Quadrantids Jan 3-4, lunar eclipse Jan 30th, start watching Mars! https://youtu.be/Wogn2oDEDXs NEW! FB Watch adds What’s Up video! https://www.facebook.com/NASAWhatsUp/

6 years, 3 months

Tonight’s Sidewalk Astronomy Cancelled

by Gary Spiers

Today’s clouds have stubbornly refused to clear out and tonight’s Sidewalk astronomy is cancelled. We hope you all had a chance to see the SpaceX launch of a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenburg Air Force Base last night. Spectacularly illuminated by the just set sun those lucky enough to look had a grand stand view of the separation of the first and second stages and then witness the second stage carrying the 10 Iridium Next satellites to a successful orbit insertion while the first stage returned to Earth ‘landing’ on the Pacific Ocean. I’ve posted a photo of the first and second stage separation evens on our Sidewalk Astronomers Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OTAstro/posts/1944561659129640 We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year and keep looking up - you never know what you might otherwise be missing! Gary Spiers

6 years, 4 months

Re: Could be a good rocket show tonight

by Morris Jones

6 years, 4 months

Could be a good rocket show tonight

by Morris Jones

Tonight there is a scheduled launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg that has the potential for an impressive show in the evening sky. Here is an excerpt from the Launch Alert email list: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FRIDAY LAUNCH VISIBILITY Friday evening's launch of a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg AFB appears to be on schedule. The vehicle is slated to lift off from south base at 17:27:23 PST and carry several Iridium NEXT commercial communications satellites into orbit. Following liftoff, the vehicle will climb vertically for several before it begins a gradual turn and heads south. The rocket's bright flame should be visible over a wide area. However, since this launch occurs 30 minutes after Vandenberg AFB sunset, it could be impressive beginning at T+ 2 minutes 12 seconds when simulations show the exhaust plume will be illuminated at high altitude by the sun. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- If the launch happens on time, at 5:27 p.m., it should appear as a remarkable exhaust plume in the general direction of south west. Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA BridgeMojo <https://bridgemojo.com> Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers <http://otastro.org> Mojo's Blog <http://mojo.whiteoaks.com>

6 years, 4 months

Sidewalk Astronomy Saturday!

by Jane Houston Jones

It's on! Join Kay, Van and Mike at Myrtle and Lime Streets for some great moon viewing, weather permitting! Sunset is before 5 p.m. so figure the astronomers will be out for a couple hours after sunset. Then, next month the first quarter moon Saturday nights will also be near the holidays, so we'll have to poll the astronomers to see if anyone is in town. I know we will be away with family on both Dec 22 and 29 Saturday nights. Happy holidays and stargazing, everyone! -- Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @otastro What's Up Video November: Planet pairs & moon passes stellar superstars! https://youtu.be/7HPQAVFGrQ4

6 years, 5 months

Mojave National Preserve Star Party information

by Jane Houston Jones

Sunset is 4:46 p.m. November 11. The drive from Monrovia is 216 miles, so allow 3.5 hours. Weather is partly cloudy but we are hoping for some decent stargazing. It will dip into the 40's overnight, so bring layers. Directions on the Mojave National Preserve Conservancy Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/MojaveNationalPreserveConservancy/ Black Canyon Group Campsite, 10 miles north of I-40 on Essex road, then 10 miles north of Essex Road on Black Canyon Road. You'll see signs for both the Hole In The Wall Campsite/Visitor Center, and the Black Canyon Group and equestrian campsites. We'll probably set up in the equestrian campsite since we have an ultralight trailer, and save parking spaces for the campers in the group area. Cell phone coverage is not good past the turnoff to Essex Road from the I-40. Park Map: https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/maps.htm From the Mojave National Preserve Conservancy page: "For those joining us for the Star Party on Saturday: - We have over 150 RSVPs for the event. If there are no spaces to camp when you arrive at the Black Canyon Group and Equestrian Campground, consider setting up your tent at the Hole in the Wall campground about a mile down the road. -Dinner on Saturday is pot luck. We welcome any dishes or snacks that you would like to bring and share. -Weather: Currently, the forecast calls for highs in the 60s or lower 70s during the day. At night, temperatures could dip into the 40s. Please bring layers. The forecast also suggests that the skies may be partly cloudy. Keep an eye on the forecast and keep your fingers crossed for as few clouds as possible so that we have a clear view of the stars." See you Friday night for those arriving early, and Saturday night for the potluck and star party. We'll share views Friday night, too! -- Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @otastro What's Up Video November: Planet pairs & moon passes stellar superstars! https://youtu.be/7HPQAVFGrQ4

6 years, 5 months

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