Andromeda Society

China, here we come.

   Not quite as impressive as last year's Olympics there will be a total solar eclipse over China on July 22, The new moon is at 7:34 p.m. PDT(July 21), 9:34 a.m. in China.  It'll last about six minutes, longer than any eclipse this century.

Here's why: The sun and moon appear about the same size in the sky because the sun being 400 times the diameter of the moon is about 400 times as far from the earth. That would give us a normal eclipse when the new moon aligns with the sun. But we are not in a circular orbit around the sun; we will be farthest from the sun on July 3. so the sun appears smaller than average. [Did you realize we are closest to the sun during the first week of January?] And the moon, in its elliptical orbit, is closest to the earth just a few hours before the eclipse. So the combination of a smaller sun and larger moon makes this eclipse unusually long.

After the earthly fireworks on the fourth we get another heavenly display. On Monday, the sixth, the International Space Station makes a pass all the way from the beach cities to northern Arizona. The ISS will come out of the SW about 9:11 for a four-minute trip to the NE.

As for planets, say goodbye to Saturn as it sets in the western twilight. But here comes Jupiter rising in the southeast about 11 p.m.

The really impressive scene is for early morning risers.   A little after 4 a.m. , on the 18th, look to the east for a very bright Venus. It will be joined obviously by the crescent moon and a couple of interesting red dots. To the right of Venus is Aldebaran, the giant red eye of Taurus; and to the right of the moon is a faint Mars.

That same night we will have a star party, 8:20 at the usual spot.

   Enjoy.

To keep up with the latest info on Sky's the Limit, the observatory/nature center being built in Twentynine Palms, click on the logo!!!

The Andromeda Society of the Morongo Basin is a club composed of amateur astronomers who meet regularly to enjoy the desert night skies and learn about its wonders. Meetings, open to the public at no charge, are held in the Yucca Valley Community Center on the third Friday of the month, except during the summer.

Free star parties are held nearly monthly on Saturdays, usually just before the new moon, at Hidden Valley Picnic Areain the JT National Park. The parties start at twilight and besides telescope viewing a tour of the sky is given by members. There may be an admission charge to the park. The club and park rangers co-sponsor these events.

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in astronomy. No equipment or knowledge is necessary. Club members are entitled to reduced rates for astronomy magazines.

How to contact the Andromeda Society:

Mail address, P.O. Box 8, CA 92286

Sam Davidson, Corresp. Secretary, 760-228-1977, samdstar@verizon.net

Orv Hunter, Membership Chairman, 365-5810, orionman@juno.com