Astronomers of Humboldt

Upcoming Events

The Astronomers of Humboldt are now scheduling observation meetings for Club members and guests on the weekend nearest the new moon. And, in addition, we are holding Zoom meetings for members on most weekends nearest the full moon.

Next events:

• Monday April 21. Greatest Western Elongation of Mercury.. Mercury joins Venus, Saturn, and the crescent Moon in the morning sky. It rises anound 5:30 and remains very low throughout the dawn.
• Monday-Tuesday April 21-22. Lyrid Meteor Shower. According to the American Meteor Society "The Lyrids are a medium strength shower that usually produces good rates for three nights centered on the maximum. These meteors also usually lack persistent trains but can produce fireballs. These meteors are best seen from the northern hemisphere where the radiant is high in the sky at dawn. ... Maximum is predicted to occur near 13UT on April 22nd. The waning crescent moon will slightly interfere with viewing these meteors in 2025."
• Saturday April 26. Observing at Kneeland. Weather permitting, we will meet at Kneeland Airport. Before you go, check the weather forecast, the Kneeland Clear Sky Chart, the GOES West satellite imagery (single frame or timelapse), the air quality index, and the Kneeland Airport Sky Cam. And check back here for any last-minute changes. Dress appropriately and arrive in time to set up before dark. Sunset will be at 8:08 pm.
• Saturday May 3. Astronomy Day. If we have clear skies AOH will participate in this international event. Check back here later for more information.
• Monday-Tuesday May 5-6. Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower. According to the American Meteor Society "The Eta Aquariids are a strong shower when viewed from the southern tropics. From the equator northward, they usually only produce medium rates of 10-30 per hour just before dawn. Activity is good for a week centered the night of maximum activity. These are swift meteors that produce a high percentage of persistent trains, but few fireballs. In 2025, a first quarter moon will set long before the radiant rises so circumstances are excellent for viewing this shower. No abnormal activity is expected in 2025."
• Saturday May 10. AOH meeting on Zoom. We will hold a Zoom meeting from 7 to 9 pm. Login information will be sent to all dues-paying members.
• Thursday May 15. Night Sky Network Webinar. "Placing Worlds and Suns in Context" with Dr. Eric Mamajek at 6 pm. AOH members can get more information here.
• Saturday May 24. Observing at Kneeland. Weather permitting, we will meet at Kneeland Airport.
• Saturday May 31. Greatest Western Elongation of Venus. Venus rises at 3:45 am and is at its farthest point from the Sun (as viewed from Earth) this morning.

Dues-paying members can get a downloadable and printable calendar of current astronomical events, historical events, and AOH activities here.

Here are links to some west coast star parties: California Dark Sky Festival [at https://www.easternsierraobservatory.com/california-dark-sky-festival], Golden State Star Party [at http://www.goldenstatestarparty.org/], Joshua Tree Night Sky Festival [at https://www.skysthelimit29.org/night-sky-festival.html], Nightfall Star Party [at http://nightfallstarparty.com/], Oregon Star Party [at http://www.oregonstarparty.org/], Yosemite Glacier Point Starry Night Skies [at https://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/naturalist-walks-programs/#collapse-26967.