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Watch this space for details of coming envents.
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Complete list by week.
2008 Jun. 6 -- Edwards Wildlife Refuge, Alviso Aug. 9 -- Presentation Center, S of Los Gatos Oct. 3 -- Jackson Elementary, Morgan Hill Oct. 6 -- Saratoga High School, Saratoga Oct. 8 -- Charter Discovery Elem., W. San Jose Nov. 4 -- Pending, S. San Jose 2009 Mar. 3 -- Pending, Santa Clara Mar. 4 -- Pomeroy Elementary, Santa Clara
Desirability is determined by the phase of the Moon. The moon is spectacular and well-liked, very desirable for a public event. Such dates are: May 12-13.
Dates with no moon in the evening sky are more plentiful. There are many star clusters, colorful double stars, etc., so the sky is very rewarding. Consider: May 20-22, 26-29.
Too much moon makes it difficult to show anything but a few bright objects, so we try to stay away from the nearly-full moon. It's a poor show, and not fair to the students (nor to the astronomers). But we could use: May 14-16, 19 -- if necessary, such as for a make-up date.
Approximate starting times for regular school year: early September 8:30, late September 8:00, early October 7:45, late October 7:30, after November 4 (DST ends) 7:00.
Seven pm is probably the earliest practical time, allowing parents to get home, eat, and get to school. Though we occasionally start at 6:30. Start time remains at 7 for some months.
On March 9, 2008 we advance the clocks, and start time jumps to 8:00. By March 14, 8:15; Mar.31, 8:30. On April 14, start at 8:45, Apr.28, 9;00. Late May through July, 9:30. August, 9:00. And the cycle repeats.
Start times may be pushed (earlier starts) if we are willing to sacrifice fainter objects during the earlier part of the event. These are termed "planet parties" as we'd be showing mostly planets, but no star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, etc., until later.
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Last updated: 2008 May 9, 0113 hours, pdt