06/24/2016 – Ephemeris – View the planets tonight from Betsie Valley District Library, Thompsonville

Ephemeris for Friday, June 24th.  Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 34 minutes, setting at 9:32, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:58.  The Moon, 3 days before last quarter, will rise at 12:18 tomorrow morning.

Tonight the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society will host a star party… well a planet party at the Betsie Valley District Library in Thompsonville, MI.  It starts at 9 p.m.  With what I like to call a twilight talk by yours truly, the subject of which will be the planets, especially the ones that will be visible tonight.  In June with twilight seeming to last forever, we are fortunate to have the bright planets Jupiter, Mars and Saturn well placed for viewing, so we don’t need to have very dark skies.  The twilight talk part will go ahead even if it’s cloudy.  However forecast is for clear skies.  Twilight talks at the library also involves a slide or planetarium-like presentation,  so if it’s cloudy we’ll also explore the starry nights of summer.  So come out rain or shine.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Photos from prior events

Scooter girl checking out the view through the rear finder of the society’s 25″ “Dobinator”. Credit staff of the Betsie Valley District Library.

A group of folks out to see the planets with the member’s and society’s telescopes. Credit staff of the Betsie Valley District Library.  Note:  The blob isn’t the Moon or a UFO, but an out of focus bug caught in the flash.

Youngster looking at a planet through a member’s telescope. Credit staff of the Betsie Valley District Library.