Two weeks ago, I had to settle for an image of the Big Dipper when I missed the #ISS. Last night, my first-since opportunity for another sighting, I caught the ISS slipping right through the Big Dipper’s bowl! It is interesting to compare the two images, both taken at about 9:30pm local time, to see how the Dipper’s orientation has changed over just seventeen nights.
Tonight I missed an #ISS pass by looking in the wrong direction – duh. Fortunately, the Big Dipper was there, glittering through passing clouds, to console me. (You can click the image for a labeled version)
What do Sun-Earth Day, the Spring Equinox, and International Sidewalk Astronomy Night have in common? In addition to recognizing our planet’s relationship to the cosmos, this year all three occur on March 20 and you can celebrate in one fun event!
International Sidewalk Astronomy Night:
“Billions of Eyes are waiting!”
It is with those words that John Dobson encourages all of us to share the night sky with others. On March 20, people all across the world are taking Dobson’s words to heart with the 4th Annual International Sidewalk Astronomy Night!
You don’t have to be an astronomer, or even own expensive equipment, to encourage others to Look Up – just take your knowledge, your binoculars, or your telescope to a public setting and share what you do know and have with others. It doesn’t even matter that public settings are typically not the darkest sites to observe. There’s plenty of wow-factor with the Moon, Venus, Mars, Saturn, and some of the brighter stars – especially if you take a moment to share some fun facts about each. Public settings also offer the perfect opportunity to talk about light pollution. You could even hand-out a few flyers about responsible lighting techniques to make your event more meaningful!
Whether you live in a small town or a big city – whether you’ve a telescope, a pair of binoculars, or even just your eyes – whether you share with one person or a hundred – the point is to get out there and encourage people to look up. Show them why you’re so excited about the night sky and why they should be too!
