A little observing from the desert

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