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Spring 2008 Sun and Star Parties

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Total Lunar Eclipse on Wednesday February 20, 2008

Eclipse Images by our student: Neil Arellano	Camera used: Canon Digital Rebel XT with a Tamron SP AF17-50 for the wide angle shots. The "zoom" shots were taken with the Canon Rebel through a Vixen A80SSWT.

Please invite all out and come out yourself.

The lunar session:

Eclipse begins (partial): 5:43
Totality begins: 7:01
Totality ends: 7:51
Eclipse finishes at 9:09; all times are Pacific time zone.

We will have binoculars set up on the east side of SEM, since as you all know, lunar eclipses always occur during a full moon (i.e. on the opposite side of the sky as the sun).  This one happens at the time that the sun is setting in the western
sky.

The moon skirts the center of earth's shadow and ends up below its center.  It's always fun to see what color the moon ends up during totality.  Is it chocolate brown or brick red. Come over and find out. 

As totality is approaching, the winter sky sights will be pointed out.  The brightest star visible anywhere and anytime is up and of course that is the Dog Star, Sirius in Canis Major.  Right next to it is the majestic constellation of Orion the Mighty hunter. 
Straight overhead is mysterious Mars, the red planet. These and other winter night sky objects will be pointed out.

We  will announce two star parties to be held at Cypress College in March and April soon.  Our new telescopes will be available to view the sky with and we can appreciate the support of the California tax payers for these new tools available here at Cypress College.   In the next few weeks we also will have the solar telescope out  to view the sun safely.

As always, the session will be canceled if rain, high wind or clouds are present.  See you all there!!

Michael Frey
Cypress College Astronomy

For more information see
Sky & Telescope magazine Observing highlights

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Fall 2007 Sun and Star Parties

The organizing professor is Michael Frey of Cypress College.

What?

Come and look at the Sun during the day and the stars at night at our observing parties.

Where?

Cypress College in front of  SEM or LLRC.

OR Cal State University, Long Beach  on the mall directly north of the main Library on upper campus.

    CSULB has better contrast and a darker sky than we have here at Cypress. 

When?

The observing will occur immediately after full dark for night star parties.

    September 24 & 25, 2007    at CSULB    Star Party

     November 19 & 20, 2007    at CSULB.    Star Party

    Monday October 22, 2007    at Cypress College.    Star Party.  <- canceled due to strong wind.  Check back here for rescheduled time.

    Sun Parties at Cypress College

    Wednesday October 17, 2007 at 2:30 PM.    

    Thursday October 18, 2007 at 11 AM.    

The solar observing has been changed to
Monday 22 and Tuesday the 23 due to weather.

10/22 Monday:  1:45 <- canceled due to strong wind.  Check back here for rescheduled time.
10/23 Tuesday:10:45. <- canceled due to strong wind.  Check back here for rescheduled time.

 Wednesday November 7, 2007 at 2:15 PM.         

Thursday November 8, 2007 at 10:30 AM. Canceled too cloudy.

Thursday November 15, 2007 at 10:30 AM. Canceled too cloudy.

Cancellation

The party will be canceled if the sky is very cloudy, if it is raining, or if it is windy.  

Parking at CSULB

You must obtain day passes for CSULB parking, with machines located in the parking lots. 

For directions to CSULB, visit their web site at:  csulb.edu

Web Resources

• Telescope images taken by students and staff
• Mt. Wilson Solar Camera Live
• Mt Wilson Clear Sky Clock
• Live from Mt Wilson