Announcements

Cancellation for Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead Star Party

This Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead Star Party (star party event) scheduled for Sep 08, 2018, 06:00 PM is cancelled due to inclement weather.

View Four Bright Planets

Four bright planets are visible in the early evening during August and most of September. Venus, low in the west, is the brightest and will be the first "star" you are able to see as evening twilight begins to darken the sky. Two other bright planets, Mars and Jupiter, also become visible during early twilight. Mars is low in the southeast as evening begins.  Mars is not quite as as bright as Venus, but glows with a distinct orange color, quite unlike the pure white color of Venus. Jupiter is in the southwest, above and to the left of Venus. Jupiter is about the same brightness as Mars but has a warm-white color. All three planets are brighter than any true star and are striking when seen against the dark blue sky of early twilight. As the evening sky continues to darken, Saturn will become visible in the south, among the stars of the constellation Sagittarius. Although Saturn isn’t nearly as bright as Mars or Jupiter, the ringed planet is brighter than any star in this area of sky and isn’t hard to recognize.

Throughout August and early September Mars remains nearly as large and bright as it was at the end of July. Mars rises a bit earlier and moves a bit toward the south each day. By early September, Mars is located roughly due south by the end of evening twilight. Unfortunately, Venus gets a bit lower in the western sky and sets a bit earlier each day. By mid-September Venus will only be a few degrees above the horizon as twilight begins, and will be challenging to spot.

Cancellation for Green Lake Public Star Party

This Green Lake Public Star Party (star party event) scheduled for Aug 18, 2018, 08:00 PM is canceled due to inclement weather, clouds, and smoke recently moving in from wildfires..

Reminder for Stargazing on the Oxbow Farm

This is just a friendly reminder that the Stargazing on the Oxbow Farm (outreach event) is scheduled for Aug 10, 2018, 08:00 PM. If yoiu are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact D. Ingram, the event coordinator.

Perseid Meteor Shower

Best time to view this year's Perseid meteor shower will be August 12-13 after midnight (Sunday night/Monday morning). The night of August 11-12 after midnight (Saturday night/Sunday morning ) should be nearly as good. Prime viewing hours will be between 2 am and 5 am both nights, when an observer in a dark location can expect to see up to 60 or more Perseid meteors per hour. No optical equipment is needed, just lie back on a blanket or a reclining lawn chair and watch the sky. A dark site out in the country is best, but many Perseid meteors are bright and can be seen from the suburbs. Try to find a viewing spot where you can see a large area of sky but no bright streetlights, and remember that it takes a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to darkness.

Reminder for Green Lake Public Star Party

This is just a friendly reminder that the Green Lake Public Star Party (outreach event) is scheduled for Jul 21, 2018, 09:00 PM. Those clouds have disappeared. The sky is clear and looking great now at 7:45 p.m.

Reminder for Green Lake Public Star Party

This is just a friendly reminder that the Green Lake Public Star Party (outreach event) is scheduled for Jul 21, 2018, 09:00 PM. Those clouds have disappeared. The sky is clear and looking great now at 7:45 p.m.

Reminder for Green Lake Public Star Party

This is just a friendly reminder that the Green Lake Public Star Party (outreach event) is scheduled for Jul 21, 2018, 09:00 PM. Because the weather at 4:10 p.m. is suddenly looking unpredictable with cloud cover two miles from Green Lake, be sure to check here or "Through the Clouds" for possible cancellation.

Reminder for Green Lake Public Star Party

This is just a friendly reminder that the Green Lake Public Star Party (outreach event) is scheduled for Jul 21, 2018, 09:00 PM. Please come out and join us!

Reminder for Paramount Park Public Star Party

This is just a friendly reminder that the Paramount Park Public Star Party (outreach event) is scheduled for Jul 21, 2018, 09:00 PM. Please come out and join us!

Reminder for Astrophotography Special Interest Group Meeting

This is just a friendly reminder that the Astrophotography Special Interest Group Meeting (astrophotography event) is scheduled for Jul 10, 2018, 07:00 PM. Please come out and join us!

We're planning on doing some real-time planetary imaging tonight to practice for the upcoming Mars Opposition.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Reminder for Timber! Outdoor Music Festival

This is just a friendly reminder.  The Timber! Outdoor Music Festival (outreach event) is scheduled for Jul 14, 2018, 10:30 PM.  Additional volunteers with telescopes are needed.  Please reply to this reminder by contacting the listed organizer.

Volunteers will receive free admission to the Timber! Outdoor Music Festival.

Please come out and join us!

Reminder for Astrophotography Special Interest Group Meeting

This is just a friendly reminder that the Astrophotography Special Interest Group Meeting (astrophotography event) is scheduled for Jul 10, 2018, 07:00 PM. Please come out and join us!

We're going to be discussing planetary imaging and the current plan is to have a couple of telescopes up and running and imaging Jupiter real-time.  The current forecast is clear!  We'll look forward to seeing you there.

Reminder for Paramount School Park Public Star Party

This is just a friendly reminder that the Paramount School Park Public Star Party (outreach event) is scheduled for Jun 23, 2018, 09:00 PM. Please come out and join us!

Reminder for Green Lake Public Star Party

This is just a friendly reminder that the Green Lake Public Star Party (outreach event) is scheduled for Jun 23, 2018, 09:00 PM. Please come out and join us!