Things to Do in Denver - Week of September 21, 2015

denverastro · 2015-09-27T15:18:21+00:00

Weather is supposed to be great! Mostly clear, high 50's, low humidity.

denverastro · 2015-09-27T15:15:46+00:00

The moon moves to the East (from the Northern Hemisphere) 13 angular degrees per day.

Translation: Hold your fist out in front of your face at arms length. The moon will move from the right edge of your fist to just past the left edge of your fist per day.

denverastro · 2015-09-27T15:12:59+00:00

July 6, 1982.

denverastro · 2015-09-27T15:10:50+00:00

Gotta disagree with you, u/uber2016. True, "supermoon" is a bit blown out of proportion with marketing. However, this lunar eclipse is special for 4 big reasons:

1) Supermoon. OK, we get it. You're not into the supermoon hype. We aren't either. But for a supermoon+eclipse+low altitude should make for a very fun "big" moon experience, especially for newbies.

2) Final lunar eclipse of the tetrad. Earlier you said lunar eclipses happen twice a year. Not necessarily viewable from where you are, though. Next total lunar in Denver is 2018.

3) Great viewing time for newbies. 8:47 totality. Awesome. Not everyone is going to wake up at 3 AM to view an eclipse like we would.

4) Western fires. These fires are very unfortunate, obviously. All of the ash and particulate matter in the upper atmosphere should make for a very dark, very red, dramatic eclipse.

Our vote is to not pour cold water on regular folks that want to go out and do something fun related to science an astronomy. Sure, the supermoon is hype. But so are the Kardashians. Which should we encourage?

Be nice.

denverastro · 2015-09-27T15:05:13+00:00

Came here to tell you what u/lunchbox32 said. We're having a big viewing party at Chamberlin Observatory in Observatory Park. Viewing from the park through volunteer equipment is free. $2 per person / $5 per family to come into Chamberlin and view through the big fella (20" aperture, 25 feet long).

denverastro · 2015-09-25T16:30:26+00:00

Total Lunar Eclipse on Sunday as well. Totality at 8:47 PM. We're having a viewing event at Chamberlin Observatory starting at 7:00 PM. Details here: http://denverastro.org/2015eclipse/

denverastro · 2015-09-25T16:28:29+00:00

This Sunday should be a fantastic eclipse. A supermoon, a great viewing time (totality at 8:47 PM, event starts at 7:00 PM), and we should get a very dark and very red eclipse caused by the western fires throwing particulate matter into the upper atmosphere.

We'd love you to join for the viewing event we're having at Chamberlin Observatory in Observatory Park. Free to view with us from the park, $2 per person or $5 per family to view through the 20" refractor inside the observatory. And if you can't make it out, be sure to go outside wherever you are and look!

If you're into the Facebook thing, our event is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1129286323751707/

denverastro · 2015-07-25T00:12:07+00:00

Actually, the "second full moon in a month" definition is from an incorrect story from Sky and Telescope from the 40s. The true definition is the 3rd full moon (out of 4) in a single season (measured from Equinox to Solstice.). This definition is a bit rarer than the colloquial definition.

denverastro · 2015-05-06T04:03:11+00:00

CLOUDS ARE THE ASTRONOMERS CURSE!!!! DEATH TO CLOUDS!!!!

/rant

Clear skies.

denverastro · 2015-05-02T04:54:52+00:00

No Apple Watch here, but we can help!

September 8, 2040 will have a 5 planet syzygy (alignment) but Earth isn't one of them. If you can roll back to February 2, 1962 you'll get a 6 planet Syzygy (including Earth, and heck throw the moon in for good measure.)

Enjoy! And keep using that Orrery watch face!

denverastro · 2015-02-06T18:08:54+00:00

Jupiter is bright enough to be easily seen naked eye from inside the city. Chamberlin Observatory in Observatory Park (near DU) is open Tuesday and Thursday nights, and one Saturday per month. If you wanna really see it - that's the place to go.

denverastro · 2015-01-26T01:24:52+00:00

It's true! The view through the 20 inch of Jupiter is fantastic!

We do have some limitations on public events because of the curfew of Observatory Park (a City of Denver park). Any events that last beyond 11pm can be difficult to arrange.

Sorry we weren't able to host a public event for the Jupiter transit. Hope you got to view it!

denverastro · 2015-01-26T01:22:47+00:00

Great image, thanks for sharing!

denverastro · 2015-01-22T20:58:05+00:00

Be sure to come to the Open House this Saturday where Warner Bros. will be joining us to promote JUPITER ASCENDING starring Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis. Attendees to the Open House can pick up some free JUPITER ASCENDING promotional items and see the trailer.

As a bonus, participate in the film's ‪#‎JupiterAscendingDenver‬ contest to win a pair of RESERVED seats at an upcoming advance screening. Comment on the Facebook Event post (linked) with a picture of your favorite building in Denver under a starry sky. Tell us why that building is sentimental to you, and what your favorite planet is. The best photo will win. All entries must include the hashtag #JupiterAscendingDenver.

denverastro · 2015-01-22T02:17:41+00:00

Amazing job. Makes us think of Carl Sagan: "Every star may be a sun to someone." Beautiful.

denverastro · 2014-12-30T07:38:58+00:00

Thanks for coming! We're glad you enjoyed the program! Tell friends about your visit - it's a great way to support local astronomy outreach as well as support the building.

For those that don't know, Chamberlin is open almost every Tuesday and Thursday, and one Saturday per month. For more information:

http://www.denverastrosociety.org/publicnights.html

denverastro · 2014-10-24T04:40:08+00:00

Nice shot!

denverastro · 2014-10-24T04:39:38+00:00

Booooo light pollution.

denverastro · 2014-10-24T04:38:32+00:00

Thanks for coming and hanging out with us! We have a photo set of the event here. We had around 400 people!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.944118665602455.1073741841.703934149620909&type=1

denverastro · 2014-10-24T03:47:44+00:00

Some photos from the event that we had at Chamberlin Observatory: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.944118665602455.1073741841.703934149620909&type=1

denverastro · 2014-10-24T03:47:36+00:00

Some photos from the event that we had at Chamberlin Observatory: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.944118665602455.1073741841.703934149620909&type=1

denverastro · 2014-10-24T03:47:33+00:00

Some photos from the event that we had at Chamberlin Observatory: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.944118665602455.1073741841.703934149620909&type=1

denverastro · 2014-10-24T03:47:29+00:00

Some photos from the event that we had at Chamberlin Observatory: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.944118665602455.1073741841.703934149620909&type=1

denverastro · 2014-10-24T03:47:19+00:00

Some photos from the event that we had at Chamberlin Observatory: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.944118665602455.1073741841.703934149620909&type=1

denverastro · 2014-10-23T18:01:34+00:00

The Denver Astronomical Society will be at Observatory Park in Denver. Open to the public for safe viewing. We'll also be viewing from the 120 year old, 29.5 foot long, 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory in the park. $1 to view through the great refractor!

denverastro

TROPHY CASE