Archive for the ‘AstroInfo Article’ Category

PostHeaderIcon March 20 Spring Equinox Sunset Watch — 2018

It’s time for the 36th seasonal sunset watch! (It’s our NINE year anniversary!)

I can’t wait to see you for a reasonably-timed sunset.

  • When: Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 7:10pm (so come at 6:30/6:45pm)
    • Actual sunset is supposed to be at 7:22pm, but we have noticed that the Sun sets about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says, because of the horizon altitude.
    • The equinox moment is Tuesday, March 20, 2018 9:15am 
  • Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
  • Who: Everyone welcome, as usual. (Please do leash your dogs as we usually have a good number of people, kids, and other dogs around.)
Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto

Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto, skyseeker

Come watch the sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle. I’ll be there even if it is cloudy because sometimes the Sun peeks through just as it begins to set, but if it is driving rain or a thunderstorm I’m staying home with some tea!

If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events  from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

U.S. Naval Observatory
Astronomical Applications Department

Seattle, King County, WA (Longitude W122° 20′, Latitude N47° 38′)

Tuesday, March 20, 2018 Pacific Daylight Time
Sun
Begin civil twilight 6:41 a.m.
Sunrise 7:12 a.m.
Sun transit 1:17 p.m.
Sunset 7:22 p.m.
End civil twilight 7:53 p.m.

Moon
Moonrise 9:07 a.m.
Moon transit 4:02 p.m.
Moonset 11:09 p.m.
Closest Primary Moon Phase: New Moon on March 17, 2018 at 6:12 a.m. (local daylight time)

Phase of the Moon on March 20, 2018: Waxing Crescent with 12% of the Moon’s visible disk illuminated.

This event is my part of the NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program, and thanks to West Seattle Blog for publicizing all of them!

Everyone is welcome, see you there!

~ A l i c e !

PostHeaderIcon December 21 Winter Solstice Sunset Watch–2017

It’s time for the 35th seasonal sunset watch!

I can’t wait to see you for a chilly winter sunset. We’ll also watch for the fingernail-crescent of the Moon just after sunset.

  • When: Thursday, December 21 at 4:05pm (so come at 3:45pm)
    • Actual sunset is supposed to be at 4:20pm, but we have noticed that the Sun sets about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says, because of the horizon altitude.
    • The equinox moment is Thursday, December 21 at 8:28am 
  • Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
  • Who: Everyone welcome, as usual. (Please do leash your dogs as we usually have a good number of people, kids, and other dogs around.)
Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto

Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto, skyseeker

Come watch the sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle. I’ll be there even if it is cloudy because sometimes the Sun peeks through just as it begins to set, but if it is driving rain or a thunderstorm I’m staying home with some tea!

If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events  from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

U.S. Naval Observatory
Astronomical Applications Department

Seattle, King County, WA (Longitude W122° 20′, Latitude N47° 38′)

Thursday, December 21, 2017 Pacific Standard Time
Sun
Begin civil twilight 7:19 a.m.
Sunrise 7:55 a.m.
Sun transit 12:08 p.m.
Sunset 4:20 p.m.
End civil twilight 4:56 p.m.
Moon
Moonrise 10:09 a.m.
Moon transit 2:56 p.m.
Moonset 7:48 p.m.
Closest Primary Moon Phase: New Moon on December 17, 2017 at 10:30 p.m. (local standard time)

Phase of the Moon on December 21, 2017: Waxing Crescent with 11% of the Moon’s visible disk illuminated.

This event is my part of the NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program, and thanks to West Seattle Blog for publicizing all of them!

Everyone is welcome, see you there!

~ A l i c e !

PostHeaderIcon September 22 Fall Equinox Sunset Watch–2017

It’s time for the 34th seasonal sunset watch!

We’ll also share eclipse stories and favorite moments or pictures from Cassini (RIP, now part of Saturn). If you drew a picture of the eclipse, either before or after I would absolutely love to see it.

  • When: Friday, September 22 at 6:55pm (so come at 6:35pm)
    • Actual sunset is supposed to be at 7:06pm, but we have noticed that the Sun sets about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says, because of the horizon altitude.
    • The equinox moment is Friday, September 22 at 1:02pm 
  • Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
  • Who: Everyone welcome, as usual. (Please do leash your dogs as we usually have a good number of people, kids, and other dogs around.)
Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto

Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto, skyseeker

Come watch the sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle. I’ll be there even if it is cloudy because sometimes the Sun peeks through just as it begins to set, but if it is driving rain or a thunderstorm I’m staying home with some tea!

If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events  from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

Equinox Moment (Seattle): Tuesday, Sept 22 1:02pm
Equinox Moment (UTC): Sept 22 20 02

Seattle, King County, WA (Longitude W122° 20′, Latitude N47° 38′)

Friday, September 22, 2017 Pacific Daylight Time
Sun
Begin civil twilight 6:26 a.m.
Sunrise 6:57 a.m.
Sun transit 1:02 p.m.
Sunset 7:06 p.m.
End civil twilight 7:37 p.m.
Moon
Moonrise 9:29 a.m.
Moon transit 3:09 p.m.
Moonset 8:40 p.m.
Closest Primary Moon Phase: New Moon on September 19, 2017 at 10:30 p.m. (local daylight time)

Phase of the Moon on September 22, 2017: Waxing Crescent with 7% of the Moon’s visible disk illuminated.

This event is my part of the NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program, and thanks to West Seattle Blog for publicizing all of them!

Everyone is welcome, see you there!

~ A l i c e !

PostHeaderIcon June 20 Summer Solstice Sunset Watch –2017

It’s time for the 33rd seasonal sunset watch!

This is also my last currently-scheduled event before the solar eclipse in August! Come and I’ll give tips and resources on safely observing the eclipse from Seattle, as well as a sites in Oregon. I’ve got more resources than anyone (practically) on safe observing for kids aged 18-months to 6 years, so bring the kiddos.

  • When: Tuesday, June 20 at 9:00pm (so come at 8:45pm)
    • Actual sunset is supposed to be at 9:11pm, but we have noticed that the Sun sets about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says, because of the horizon altitude.
    • The solstice moment is Tuesday, June 20 at 9:24pm so maybe we’ll stick around and celebrate that too, for once!
  • Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
  • Who: Everyone welcome, as usual. (Please do leash your dogs as we usually have a good number of people, kids, and other dogs around.)
Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto

Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto, skyseeker

Come watch the sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle. I’ll be there even if it is cloudy because sometimes the Sun peeks through just as it begins to set, but if it is driving rain or a thunderstorm I’m staying home with some tea!

If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events  from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

Solstice Moment (Seattle): Tuesday, June 20 9:24pm
Solstice Moment (UTC): June 21 04 24

Seattle, King County, WA (Longitude W122° 20′, Latitude N47° 38′)

Tuesday, June 20, 2017 Pacific Daylight Time
Sun
Begin civil twilight 4:31 a.m.
Sunrise 5:11 a.m.
Sun transit 1:11 p.m.
Sunset 9:11 p.m.
End civil twilight 9:52 p.m.
Moon
Moonrise 3:00 a.m.
Moon transit 9:55 a.m.
Moonset 5:03 p.m.
Closest Primary Moon Phase: New Moon on June 23, 2017 at 7:31 p.m. (local daylight time)

Phase of the Moon on June 20, 2017: Waning Crescent with 16% of the Moon’s visible disk illuminated.

This event is my part of the NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program, and thanks to West Seattle Blog for publicizing all of them!

Everyone is welcome, see you there!

~ A l i c e !

PostHeaderIcon March 20 Spring Equinox Sunset Watch — 2017

It’s time for the 32nd seasonal sunset watch!

  • When: Monday, March 20 at 7:10pm (so come at 6:45pm)
    • Actual sunset is supposed to be at 7:23pm, but we have noticed that the Sun sets about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says, because of the horizon altitude.
    • The equinox moment is Monday, March 20 at 3:29am
  • Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
  • Who: Everyone welcome, as usual. (Please do leash your dogs as we usually have a good number of people, kids, and other dogs around.)
Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto

Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto, skyseeker

Come watch the sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle. I’ll be there even if it is cloudy because sometimes the Sun peeks through just as it begins to set, but if it is driving rain or a thunderstorm I’m staying home with some tea!

If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events  from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

Equinox Moment (Seattle): Monday, March 20, 3:29am
Equinox Moment (UTC):Mar 20 10 29

U.S. Naval Observatory
Astronomical Applications Department

Seattle, King County, WA (Longitude W122° 20′, Latitude N47° 38′)

Monday, March 20, 2017 Pacific Daylight Time
Sun
Begin civil twilight 6:41 a.m.
Sunrise 7:11 a.m.
Sun transit 1:17 p.m.
Sunset 7:23 p.m.
End civil twilight 7:53 p.m.
Moon
Moonrise 2:32 a.m.
Moon transit 7:13 a.m.
Moonset 11:54 a.m.
Phase of the Moon on March 20, 2017: Last Quarter at 8:58 a.m. (local daylight time)

This event is my part of the NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program, and thanks to West Seattle Blog for publicizing all of them!

Everyone is welcome, see you there!

~ A l i c e !

PostHeaderIcon December 21 Winter Solstice Sunset Watch — 2016

It’s time for the 31st seasonal sunset watch!

  • When: Wednesday, December 21 at 4:05 (so come at 3:45pm)
    • Actual sunset is supposed to be at 4:20pm, but we have noticed that the Sun sets about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says, because of the horizon altitude.
    • The equinox moment is Wednesday, December 21st at 2:44am
  • Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
  • Who: Everyone welcome, as usual. (Please do leash your dogs as we usually have a good number of people, kids, and other dogs around.)
Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto

Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto, skyseeker

Come watch the sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle. I’ll be there even if it is cloudy because sometimes the Sun peeks through just as it begins to set, but if it is driving rain or a thunderstorm I’m staying home with some tea!

If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events  from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

Equinox Moment: Wednesday, December 21 2:44am
Universal Time: Dec 21 10 44

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

Wednesday, December 21, 2016 Pacific Standard Time
Sun
Begin civil twilight 7:19 a.m.
Sunrise 7:55 a.m.
Sun transit 12:08 p.m.
Sunset 4:20 p.m.
End civil twilight 4:57 p.m.
Moon
Moonrise 12:19 a.m.
Moon transit 6:33 a.m.
Moonset 12:39 p.m.

This event is my part of the NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program, and thanks to West Seattle Blog for publicizing all of them!

Everyone is welcome, see you there!

~ A l i c e !

PostHeaderIcon September 22 Fall Equinox Sunset Watch — 2016

It’s time for the 30th seasonal sunset watch!

  • When: Thursday, September 22 at 6:55pm (so come at 6:35pm)
    • Actual sunset is supposed to be at 7:06pm, but we have noticed that the Sun sets about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says, because of the horizon altitude.
    • The equinox moment is Thursday, September 22nd at 7:21am
  • Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
  • Who: Everyone welcome, as usual. (Please do leash your dogs as we usually have a good number of people, kids, and other dogs around.)
Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto

Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto, skyseeker

Come watch the sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle. I’ll be there even if it is cloudy because sometimes the Sun peeks through just as it begins to set, but if it is driving rain or a thunderstorm I’m staying home with some tea!

If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events  from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

Equinox Moment: Thursday September 22, 2016 at 7:21:00 AM
Universal Time: Sept 22 14 21

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

Thursday, September 22, 2016 Pacific Daylight Time
Sun
Begin civil twilight 6:26 a.m.
Sunrise 6:57 a.m.
Sun transit 1:02 p.m.
Sunset 7:06 p.m.
End civil twilight 7:36 p.m.
Moon
Moonrise 10:39 p.m. on preceding day
Moon transit 6:15 a.m.
Moonset 1:55 p.m.
Moonrise 11:30 p.m.
Closest Primary Moon Phase: Last Quarter on September 23, 2016 at 2:56 a.m. (local daylight time)

Phase of the Moon on September 22, 2016: Waning Gibbous with 57% of the Moon’s visible disk illuminated.

This event is my part of the NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program, and thanks to West Seattle Blog for publicizing all of them!

Everyone is welcome, see you there!

~ A l i c e !

PostHeaderIcon June 20 Summer Solstice Sunset Watch — 2016

It’s time for the 29th seasonal sunset watch!

  • When: Monday, June 20th at 9:00pm (so come at 8:45pm)
    • Actual sunset is supposed to be at 9:11pm, but we have noticed that the Sun sets about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says, because of the horizon altitude.
    • The equinox moment is Monday, June 20th at 3:34pm
  • Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
  • Who: Everyone welcome, as usual. (Please do leash your dogs as we usually have a good number of people, kids, and other dogs around.)
Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto

Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto, skyseeker

Come watch the sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle. I’ll be there even if it is cloudy because sometimes the Sun peeks through just as it begins to set, but if it is driving rain or a thunderstorm I’m staying home with some tea!

If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events  from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

Solstice Moment: Monday, June 20, 2016 at 3:34:00 PM
Universal Time: June 20 22 34

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

Monday, June 20, 2016 Pacific Daylight Time
Sun
Begin civil twilight 4:31 a.m.
Sunrise 5:11 a.m.
Sun transit 1:11 p.m.
Sunset 9:11 p.m.
End civil twilight 9:52 p.m.
Moon
Moonrise 8:22 p.m. on preceding day
Moon transit 1:05 a.m.
Moonset 5:47 a.m.
Moonrise 9:13 p.m.
Phase of the Moon on June 20, 2016: Full Moon at 4:02 a.m. (local daylight time)

This event is my part of the NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program, and thanks to West Seattle Blog for publicizing all of them!

Everyone is welcome, see you there!

~ A l i c e !

PostHeaderIcon LIGO Gravitational Wave Detection – KOMO Radio Interview

I was interviewed on KOMO Radio on February 11, 2016 about the LIGO detection of Gravitational Waves. Listen here!

 

PostHeaderIcon December 21st Winter Solstice Sunset Watch – 2015

It’s time for the 27th seasonal sunset watch!

  • When: Monday, December 21st at 4:05pm (so come at 3:45pm)
    • Actual sunset is supposed to be at 7:05pm, but we have noticed that the Sun sets about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says, because of the horizon altitude.
    • The equinox moment is at Monday, December 21st at 8:40pm
  • Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
  • Who: Everyone welcome, as usual.
Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto

Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto, skyseeker

Come watch the sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle. I’ll be there even if it is cloudy because sometimes the Sun peeks through just as it begins to set, but if it is driving rain or sleet I’m staying home with some hot tea!

If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events  from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

Solstice Moment: Monday, December 21, 2015 at 8:40:00 PM
Universal Time: Dec 22 04 48

Seattle, King County, WA (Longitude W122° 20′, Latitude N47° 38′)

December 21, 2015 Pacific Standard Time
Sun
Begin civil twilight 7:19 a.m.
Sunrise 7:55 a.m.
Sun transit 12:07 p.m.
Sunset 4:20 p.m.
End civil twilight 4:56 p.m.

Moon
Moonset 3:19 a.m.
Moonrise 2:01 p.m.
Moon transit 9:11 p.m.
Moonset 4:31 a.m. on following day
Closest Primary Moon Phase: First Quarter on December 18, 2015 at 7:14 a.m. (local standard time)

Phase of the Moon on December 21, 2015: Waxing Gibbous with 84% of the Moon’s visible disk illuminated.

This event is my part of the NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program, and thanks to West Seattle Blog for publicizing all of them!

Everyone is welcome, see you there!

~ A l i c e !

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November 2022: I'm only really active on the bird app, but these other are me for real, and I'll switch when we need to.
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