It’s time for the 22nd seasonal sunset watch!!

I’ll be doing three special things for this special sunset watch: First, I’m going to bring some preschool-focused activities. I’ve been testing out. I know it is nearly bedtime, but bring your 3-5-year-olds out for a special early-childhood edition of the sunset watch.

Second, I’m going to be available to answer questions about preparing for viewing the partial solar eclipse in October. I’ll do this part after the sunset and after the toddler activities have wrapped up a bit. That’s because you grown-ups and older kids have a slightly easier time waiting than the little ones. If you miss this chance to talk to me, I’ll have a few activities and talks in the local branches of the Seattle Public Libraries in the days leading up to the eclipse.

Third, I’m going to tell you all about MAVEN’s incredible entry into Martian orbit that will have happened about 24 hours earlier. Too much to do at once, I know, but I’m terribly excited about all of it.

• When: Monday, September 22, 2014 at 6:55pm (so come at 6:30pm)
  • Actual sunset is supposed to be at 7:07pm, but we have noticed that the Sun sets about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says it does, so I’ve moved the time of our sunset watch up so we don’t miss it.
  • The equinox moment is at 7:29pm… but we’re watching the sunset not the sunrise because of how the park lines up.
• Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
• Who: Everyone welcome, as usual.

Parent and Child at Sunset by Kazuhiko Teramoto, skyseeker

Come watch the sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle. We’ll see if the sunset lines up with the placed marker. I’ll be there even if it is cloudy because sometimes the Sun peeks through just as it begins to set, but if it is driving rain or sleet I’m staying home with some hot tea!

If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events  from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

The following information is provided for Seattle, King County, Washington (longitude W122.3, latitude N47.6):

Monday 22 September 2014 Pacific Daylight Time

SUN
Begin civil twilight 6:25 a.m.
Sunrise 6:56 a.m.
Sun transit 1:02 p.m.
Sunset 7:07 p.m.
End civil twilight 7:38 p.m.

MOON
Moonset 5:54 p.m. on preceding day
Moonrise 5:26 a.m.
Moon transit 11:57 a.m.
Moonset 6:19 p.m.
Moonrise 6:27 a.m. on following day

Phase of the Moon on 22 September: waning crescent with 2% of the Moon’s visible disk illuminated.

New Moon on 23 September 2014 at 11:14 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time.

This event is my part of the NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program, and thanks to West Seattle Blog for publicizing all of them!

Everyone is welcome, see you there!

~ A l i c e !

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