The public is invited for a tour of the lunar landscape, Mars and Saturn on next Saturday, August 2 at Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center, just north of the entrance to the Joshua Tree National Park at 9697 Utah Trail in Twentynine Palms. This free event begins around 8:20 pm and continues until approximately 1:30 am.
A crescent Moon will be just east of Spica followed by Mars and Saturn around sunset. A tour of lunar landscape at low and high magnifications will zoom in on the great craters of Plato, Tycho, and Ptolemaus. The first quarter Moon is often the most spectacular time to observe the Moon, focusing in on the shadows along the lunar terminator. Mars, while not as large or bright as in the previous months, is still a large rusty orange disk through a telescope. Saturn, also fading slightly, is well placed for viewing at sunset. Saturn and its rings are always a spectacle through a telescope of any size. Later, after the moon sets (11:30 pm), the telescopes will turn to some bright open star clusters and nebulae in the Milky Way.
Guests are invited to bring their own binoculars and telescopes. Pads are provided for telescope setup, and STL volunteers will make every effort to assist as needed in setting up and using equipment. All are encouraged to come around sunset to have time to set up and visit other campus educational attractions before the cosmic tour begins.
Everyone should bring snacks, water bottles, chairs, and a small flashlight (red lens, no white lights please) and dress for unpredictable desert weather. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. No pets and no smoking allowed on the STL campus, and visitors must carry out all trash.
