GTAS Viewing Nights 2008

Grand Traverse Astronomical Society

Public Viewing Nights at Northwestern Michigan College's

Rogers Observatory 2008

Public Viewing at the Rogers Observatory - 2008
DOW	Date	Time	Comments
Saturday	January 12th	8 - 10 p.m.	Moon, Mars, Orion Nebula, Saturn late
Saturday	February 9th	8 - 10 p.m.	Moon early, Mars, Orion Nebula, Saturn
Wednesday	February 20th	8 p.m. - 12:09 a.m.	Total Lunar Eclipse watch*
Saturday	March 1st	8 - 10 p.m.	Dark, Mars, Orion Nebula, Saturn
Friday	March 28th	9 - 11 p.m.	Dark, Mars, Orion Nebula, Saturn
Saturday	April 12th	9 - 11 p.m.	Moon, Mars, Saturn
Friday	April 25th	9 - 11 p.m.	Twilight, Mercury early?, Mars, Saturn
Saturday	May 10th	9 - 11 p.m.	Twilight, Mercury early, Moon, Mars, Saturn (Astronomy Day)
Friday	May 23rd	9 - 11 p.m.	Twilight, Mercury early, Mars near Beehive cluster, Saturn
Saturday	June 7th	9 - 11 p.m.	Twilight, Mars in conjunction with moon, Saturn
Friday	June 27th	9 - 11 p.m.	Twilight, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter late
Saturday	July 12th	9 - 11 p.m.	Twilight, Mars, Saturn early, Moon, Jupiter
Friday	July 25th	9 - 11 p.m.	Mars, Saturn early, Jupiter, dark late – Summer Milky Way
Saturday	August 9th	9 – 11 p.m.	Moon, Jupiter, brighter Deep Sky Objects late
Friday	August 29th	9 – 11 p.m.	Jupiter, Dark, Summer Milky Way
Saturday	September 6th	9 – 11 p.m.	Moon early, Jupiter, brighter Deep Sky Objects late
Friday	September 26th	9 – 11 p.m.	Jupiter, Dark, Summer Milky Way
Saturday	October 4th	8 – 10 p.m.	Moon, Jupiter, brighter Deep Sky Objects
Saturday	November 8th	8 – 10 p.m.	Moon, Jupiter, brighter Deep Sky Objects
Saturday	December 20th	8 – 10 p.m.	Venus? early, Dark, Orion Nebula

Note: Viewing hours may be extended if weather conditions and staffing permit.
Events called watches will be canceled if cloudy.

* Lunar Eclipse February 20^th

Viewing of this event may be moved to a different site. Check www.gtastro.org for the location.

Partial phase begins 8:43 p.m.

Totality begins 10:01 p.m.

Totality ends 10:51 p.m.

Partial Phase Ends 12:09 a.m.

Explanation Key

Conditions

?: Visibility is questionable, too low in the twilight.
Dark: Dark skies. Deeps Sky Objects (star clusters, nebulae and galaxies) visible depending on the season.
Twilight: Twilight lasts through out the viewing period. Some Deep Sky Objects may be visible near the end of the viewing period.

Objects other than planets

Orion Nebula: A stellar nursery 1,800 light years away. The best and closest such object. Visible on winter evenings.
Deep Sky Objects: Celestial wonders from beyond the solar system. They include star clusters, nebulae (clouds of gas and dust), and galaxies (other Milky ways beyond our own). They are usually not easily visible with the moon out.
Summer Milky Way: Many Deep Sky Objects are visible in our galaxy. The Milky Way is best seen on August and September evenings with the moon out of the sky.

In Case of Inclement Weather:

If it is cloudy, a tour and slide show may be presented.

Winter viewing may be canceled due to inclement weather, especially a heavy snow the day of the event which would make the hill impassable.

For more information on events at the Rogers Observatory call (231)995-2300

For more information on events sponsored by the GTAS go to www.gtastro.org

Society members will from time to time hold sidewalk viewing sessions on street corners of Traverse City and other sites around the Grand Traverse Area. If you'd like to have the GTAS for your event contact us at info@gtastro.org.

Link to map of the Rogers Observatory, Traverse City, MI