Seasonal Sunset Watches!

It’s time for the seasonal sunset watch, every solstice and equinox sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle. Here are the details for the next several events:

#	Date	Event Time	Actual Sunset Time	Official Sunset Time	Equinox/ Solstice Moment Time
41	Summer Solstice 2019 Friday, June 21, 2019	8:30 pm – 9:30 pm	9:00 pm	9:11 pm	8:54 am
42	Fall Equinox 2019 Monday, September 23, 2019	6:30 pm – 7:30 pm	6:55 pm	7:05 pm	12:50 am
43	Winter Solstice 2019 Saturday, December 21, 2019	3:45 pm – 4:45 pm	4:05 pm	4:20 pm	8:19 pm
44	Spring Equinox 2020 Thursday, March 19, 2020WEBCAST VIA ZOOM.	6:30 pm – 7:30 pm VIA ZOOM.	7:00 pm	7:22  pm	8:50 pm
45	Summer Solstice 2020 June 20, 2020VIA ZOOM, register in advance for this meeting.	8:45 pm – 9:15 pm VIA ZOOM, register in advance for this meeting.	9:00 pm	9:11 pm	2:44 pm
46	Fall Equinox 2020 Tuesday, September 22, 2020 I will host via Zoom as has become usual.	6:45 pm – 7:15pm VIA ZOOM!	6:55 pm	7:05 pm	6:31 am
47	Winter Solstice 2020 Monday, December 21, 2020I will host via Zoom as has become usual. Zoom!	3:45 pm – 4:15 pm VIA ZOOM!	4:05 pm	4:20 pm	2:02 am
48	Spring Equinox 2021 Saturday, March 20, 2021 I will be live-Tweeting during the sunset. Tune in @AlicesAstroInfo [1]	6:45 pm-7:15 pm ON TWITTER	7:00 pm	7:22 pm	2:37 am
49	Summer Solstice 2021 Sunday, June 20, 2021 VIA ZOOM, register in advance for this meeting. https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpcuqgrj4pGN0SPUuK7TGLPT3YRgmcqviO [2] (Twitter will be my backup plan in case of technical difficulties @AlicesAstroInfo [1])	8:45 pm-9:15 pm VIA ZOOM!	9:00 pm	9:11 pm	8:31 pm

• When:
  • We have noticed that the Sun sets about 15 minutes earlier than the USNO ^[3]‘s official prediction says, because of the horizon altitude.
  • The moment of the solstice/equinox doesn’t usually happen during this event, but I leave it here for you to know.
• Where: I will host Summer 2021’s Solstice Sunset watch live on Zoom from an undisclosed West Seattle location.
  • I want to support folks in continued social distancing to protect our children and unvaccinated vulnerable folks from SARS-Cov-2/coronavirus.
  • I recommend you find a nice outdoor space to watch the sunset from, and tune in to the participatory webcast for some social interaction and celebration of the turning of the seasons.
  • Please wear a mask and social distance from people until you discuss your combined comfort levels. Some people aren’t ready to give up masks, some people aren’t vaccinated, some people never worried about transmission in an outdoor setting. Let’s be polite and kind as we all navigate each other’s risk tolerances.
• Where: Solstice Park ^[4] – 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. (Please do leash your dogs as we usually have a good number of people, kids, and other dogs around.)

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 a thunderstorm I’m staying home with some 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. ^[3]

This event is my part of the NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program, and thanks to West Seattle Blog ^[6] for publicizing all of them!

Everyone is welcome, see you there!

~ A l i c e !