September 23 Fall Equinox Sunset Watch – 2015
It’s time for the 26th seasonal sunset watch!
- When: Wednesday, September 23 at 6:55pm (so come at 6:40pm)
- Actual sunset is supposed to be at 7:05pm, but we have noticed that the Sun sets about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says, because of the horizon altitude.
- The equinox moment is at Wednesday, September 23 at 1:20am … but we’re watching the sunset the night before 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.
Come watch the sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle. 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
Seattle, King County, WA (Longitude W122° 20′, Latitude N47° 38′)
September 23, 2015 Pacific Daylight Time
Sun
Begin civil twilight 6:26 a.m.
Sunrise 6:57 a.m.
Sun transit 1:02 p.m.
Sunset 7:05 p.m.
End civil twilight 7:36 p.m.
Moon
Moonset 1:28 a.m.
Moonrise 4:27 p.m.
Moon transit 9:29 p.m.
Moonset 2:36 a.m. on following day
Closest Primary Moon Phase: First Quarter on September 21, 2015 at 1:59 a.m. (local daylight time)Phase of the Moon on September 23, 2015: Waxing Gibbous with 76% of the Moon’s visible disk illuminated.
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 !