8/29/2009 - Moon Party at the County Museum

8/29/2009 - Moon Party at the County Museum

It is time to “moon party” at the San Bernardino County Museum on Saturday, August 29 where members of the San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers will be setting up their telescopes for the public to view the gibbous moon. Starting at 8pm, this event is free to the public.

“We’ll be observing a ‘waxing gibbous’ moon, which will feature all kinds of incredible surface detail along the sunrise line,” said Chris Clarke, program coordinator for the San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers. “Mountains, craters and lava flows will stand out in bold relief because of the low sun angle. As an added bonus, a brilliant Jupiter will be rising in the southeast. Jupiter offers many interesting features, including numerous cloud belts, the Great Red Spot and the famed four Galilean moons that slowly orbit, or ‘dance,’ around the giant gas planet.”

Several sizes and types of telescopes will be set up by club members, ranging from refractors to reflectors to ‘compound’ optics. This is a wonderful opportunity for the public to see two of the most visually stunning objects in the heavens through a variety of telescopes.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.