Clouds! :(

Partially clouded out. We set up around 5:15pm and stayed until about 7:30pm. By then, the clouds were getting pretty thick, so we packed it in.

Ironically, things got substantially clearer late at night. But we were long gone by the time that happened.

December 6 is the next likely OTA sidewalk event in Monrovia. Jupter will be lower next month than this month, while Venus will be higher.

In fact, if you follow follow these planets over the next month, you'll see Jupiter (currently visible to the south-southwest after sunset) and Venus (currently in the west-southwest) appear to approach, then pass each other. Each night, Jupiter will be a little lower in the sky, while Venus will be a little higher. At the end of November, they'll appear very close to each other. By early December, Venus will be to the upper left of Jupiter.

During December, Jupiter will keep dropping towards the sun, while Venus will keep getting higher and brighter in the evening sky.

Next Monrovia Sidewalk Astronomy, Saturday, November 8

With the end of daylight savings, darkness is going to be coming really early. We'll probably be setting up around 5pm, and will probably stay until around 9pm (depends on how cold it gets and how busy the corner proves to be).

Same as last month, we may be able to catch Venus shortly after sunset, when it'll be low in the southwest. Jupiter will be higher and almost due south at sunset.

Beautiful Science, at the Huntington

"Beautiful Science," a new exhibit at the Huntington Library and Museum, opens on November 1. In celebration, some of the gang from the Old Town Astronomers will be manning solar telescopes throughout the day at the Huntington. If you’ve ever wanted a safe and close-up view of our nearest star, this could be your chance.

Many other opening day presentations and performances are also a part of this special day at the Huntingon. General information, including admission information for the Huntington, is available here.

"What's Up?" for October

The "What’s Up?" for October has been posted. It has a bit on spotting Mercury in the morning sky later in the month, and spotting Jupiter and Venus in the evening sky.

Monrovia Sidewalk Astronomy

The monthly Monrovia sidewalk astronomy event is this Saturday, from about 7:30pm - 9:30pm. The moon and Jupiter are both well-placed for observing. Early observers may get a brief peek at a small, gibbous Venus, low in the west-southwest, just after sunset.

I think there's a Friday solar observing event in connection with a Girl Scout's thing in the area, too. Not sure if it's actually a "public" event, though. I'll post more once I learn the details.

"What's Up?" and "Jack Horkheimer: Star Gazer"

I didn’t notice when they first posted it, but here’s the "What’s Up?" for September.

JPL puts out one of these about every month. It’s part of their general science outreach effort and focuses on observing the universe with your naked eye. The September edition talks about looking at the Milky Way from a dark sky location. Our friend, Old Town Astronomer Jane Houston Jones, narrates this series.

Also, if you can stand his annoying personality, there’s another regular astronomy video you can see, with Jack Horkheimer. The current, upcoming, and recent episodes are available here. The one-minute version of the episode for the week of September 15 is pretty good. It discusses Vega, a blue super-giant star in the constellation of Lyra.

Sidewalk and Astronomy Stuff in Early September

Caroline and I will be joining Old Town Astronomers in Monrovia (corner of Myrtle and Lime) on Saturday, September 6 for moon and Jupiter viewing. Old Town Astronomers will be in Pasadena (Colorado, near Delacey) on Friday, September 12. On both nights, anticipate set up around 7:30pm and tear down a bit before 10pm.

On Saturday, September 13 and Sunday September 14, the Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show comes to Pasadena. Click on the link for more information. I’ll probably attend at least part of one day. But I’ll most be going as a spectator rather than as a participant. It’ll be nice to see all those vendors in one place, and maybe catch a talk or two. Also, on Sunday, there’ll be a celebration for John Dobson’s (father of sidewalk astronomy) birthday. He’s 93, I think.