04/03/2014 – Ephemeris – Astronomy events in the Grand Traverse Region

Ephemeris for Thursday, April 3rd.  The sun will rise at 7:19.  It’ll be up for 12 hours and 52 minutes, setting at 8:12.   The Moon, half way from new to first quarter, will set at 12:39 tomorrow morning.

This evening the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society or GTAS will be at the Boardman River Nature Center for “A Night at the Nature Center”.  This is a closed event sponsored by the Grand Traverse Conservation District, but it reminds me that the society hosts these types of events for schools, scouts and other youth groups along with other non-profit organizations.  We’re now lining up some summer reading clubs at at least two area libraries.  In the daytime we have that one great star the sun.  At night we have the rest of them including the Moon and planets.  If its cloudy we have hands on activities.  Contact the society at info@gtastro.org for more information.  The GTAS may also pop up at a summer festival near you.

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

Addendum

A partial solar eclipse projected for all to see. Credit: Eileen Carlisle

The start of a Star Party at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Credit: Eileen Carlisle

Looking at the Transit of Venus through a solar telescope. Credit: Eileen Carlisle.

 

01/16/2014 – Ephemeris – NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador

Ephemeris for Thursday, January 16th.  The sun will rise at 8:15.  It’ll be up for 9 hours and 14 minutes, setting at 5:29.   The moon, 1 day past full, will rise at 6:25 this evening.

I am proud to announce that I have been appointed  one of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s new 38 new Solar System Ambassadors for 2014.  Solar System Ambassadors are volunteers that host star parties, and provide presentations about space, the universe, and NASA missions to promote awareness of the STEM or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields as career choices or at least to encourage the students to become more science literate voters.  Ambassadors work with school classes, scout groups and non-profit organizations.  Being now newly retired I have the freedom of daytime visits.  I will be serving the northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan.  Interested?  The easiest way to initially contact me by email is at info@gtastro.org or bob@bjmoler.org.

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