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:

Saturday September 12. Observing at Kneeland. Weather permitting, we will hold our regular September observing session 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 Barry Ridge Webcam, and check back here for any last-minute updates. Dress warmly and arrive in time to set up before dark. Sunset will be at 7:30 pm.
Saturday September 19. International Observe the Moon Night. We will set up observation stations at various locations to invite the general public to view the Moon. Contact Mark at mark@astrohum.org for more information. Alternatively, you can observe the Moon yourself, anytime between September 15 and September 25, with or without optical aid (binoculars or telescope), take a picture or make a sketch, and go to https://www.astrohum.org/moon/ to turn in a report. Either way you will receive a Certificate of Participation from The International Observe The Moon Night Coordinating Committee.
Tuesday September 22. Autumn Equinox. At 5:05 pm the equatorial plane of planet Earth sweeps northward across the center of the Sun, making the Sun appear to be moving into the southern hemisphere of Earth's sky. On our human calendars, this event marks the beginning of northern hemisphere Autumn, and southern hemisphere Spring.
Friday September 25. Opposition of Neptune. The planet Neptune, at magnitude 7.7, appears directly opposite the Sun in the night sky. Here's a finder chart. Watch it for a few days, in binoculars or a small scope, as it glides past an 8.7 magnitude star.
Saturday September 26. AOH Zoom Meeting. Login information will be sent to all dues-paying members.
Saturday October 3. Garberville Natural Science Day. From 1 to 5 pm, AOH will have an informational booth set up for this event at the Garberville Town Square. Contact Roger at roger@astrohum.org if you would like to participate.
Sunday October 4. Opposition of Saturn. The planet Saturn, at magnitude 0, appears directly opposite the Sun in the night sky. This means it rises at sunset and is in the sky all night. For the last two years Saturn's rings appeared nearly edge on, but now they are opening up to about an 8 degree tilt.
Saturday October 10. Observing at Kneeland. Weather permitting, we will hold our regular October observing session at Kneeland Airport. Check back here for any last-minute updates. Dress warmly and arrive in time to set up before dark. Sunset will be at 6:43 pm.
Monday October 12. Greatest Eastern Elongation of Mercury. The planet Mercury, at magnitude 0, reaches a point 25 degrees from the Sun in the evening sky. But because of the tilt of the ecliptic, Mercury is only 8 degrees above the horizon at sunset. If you can glimpse the two-day-old Moon, Mercury will be about 6 degrees from the Moon in the two-o'clock direction.
Friday October 16. College of the Redwoods Science Night. From 5 to 8 pm, AOH will have a classroom with informational displays and activities and, weather permitting, an outdoor telescope for observing. Contact Brent at brent@astrohum.org if you would like to participate.
Saturday October 24. AOH Zoom Meeting. Login information will be sent to all dues-paying members.

Dues-paying members can get a downloadable and printable calendar of current astronomical events, historical events, and AOH activities here [at https://www.astrohum.org/members_only/calendar.php].

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 https://www.goldenstatestarparty.org/], Joshua Tree Night Sky Festival [at https://www.skysthelimit29.org/night-sky-festival.html], Nightfall Star Party [at https://nightfallstarparty.com/], Oregon Star Party [at https://www.oregonstarparty.org/], Yosemite Glacier Point Starry Night Skies [at https://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/naturalist-walks-programs/#collapse-26967.