Southern California Desert Video Astronomers
Our Mission.............................
" To share our abilities with astronomy in order to preserve dark starry night skies and a vibrant healthy environment in the California Desert and everywhere else on our Planet for future generations! "
SCDVA, moving the line for dark skies and environmental awareness.
The World's First & Only Live Astronomy Theater.
What's Next...
We invite you all to come and enjoy this event with us.
Join us as we aim telescopes upward, fire up the famous 3D and VR Astro Adventure and bring the stars into focus for all to see and enjoy.
This is the weekend that celebrates the "Geminid Meteor Event" where up to 100 meteors an hour are expected at the peak time. It's getting chilly so bundle up, bring your libation and other comfy stuff.
Visual telescopes will be up and running,
More to be included, as usual.
PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY IN THE CAMPGROUND TO KEEP DUST LOW AND CHILDREN SAFE.
Come get some Starlight with us! We share Astronomy better than Anyone else! Leonard Holmberg, Tom Haworth, Michael Roemelen, More!
$5.00 at the door please
(Does not include camping fees.)
Kids are welcome, and are free under the age of 12
Kid Friendly No smoking in the Theater.
No pets please as this is a people only event.
See you at the under the Joshua Tree Stars!
(Admission does not include camping.)
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Clear Sky Chart for The Joshua Tree Astronomy Arts Theater
January moon, February moon, March moon, April moon, May moon, June moon, July moon, August moon, September moon, October moon, November moon, December Moon
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SCDVA, Official IDA Chapter Serving The High Desert Region
San Bernardino County
IDA International Dark Sky Association
Ask what you can do for dark skies."
Inspired by a quote from JFK
Click the above image to see amazing live views of our earth
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JTAATinfo@gmail.com ________ |
The Planets
December 2nd. View Mars just after sunset. Mars can be seen for more than 6 hours as it sets at 11:27 pm.
December 2nd. Saturn can be seen setting shortly after the sun sets this evening in the Southwest at 6:29 pm
December 3rd. Although difficult to see due to being fairly close to the sun, Jupiter is only visible around sunrise and sunset rising at 6:06 am and setting just before sun at 4:43 pm.
December 3rd. Venus also known as "The Morning Star", is best viewed just before the predawn hours, rising in the East at 3:16 am.
Also with a pair of binoculars, Neptune sets in the West at 11:41 pm, along with Uranus can be seen as it sets at 3:17 am in the West-Northwest.
In Joshua Tree, it will reach full at 11:26 pm.
The full Moon of December is known as the Long Night Moon or Moon Before Yule.
December 13th/14th -Geminid Meteor Shower
The Geminids are considered to be one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, with the possibility of sighting around 120 meteors per hour at its peak, which is on December 13 or 14, depending on your time zone.
Unlike most other meteor showers, the Geminids are associated not with a comet but with an asteroid: the 3200 Phaethon. The asteroid takes about 1.4 years to orbit around the Sun.
According to date and time, "The Geminids can be observed from locations all around the world. While it is not necessary to look in a particular direction to enjoy a meteor shower, astronomers suggest looking towards the south to view the Geminids."
Chart courtesy of Date & Time
The best time to view the Geminids is of course at night after sunset and before sunrise from a dark sky area away from city lights.
I remember back in 2001 even from Anaheim California we saw several around midnight at zenith (straight up). So it might be worth your while to go outside and check it out no matter where you are.
December 16th - See Comet 46/P with Naked Eye
Comet 46P/Wirtanen will be closest to Earth on December. 16th. Look for it above the eastern horizon after dusk all month long! It will be bright enough to see with the naked eye, and will look even more spectacular with binoculars and telescopes.
December 21st. Winter Solstice
The first day of Winter begins at 2:22 pm pst. It is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is the darkest day of the year.
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Check out the
Joshua Tree Astronomy Arts Theater
Meetup site
for further & future details
on
Upcoming Events
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Go to Photos & Events Link
to see pictures of what we've been up to.
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Please Help Support our efforts. To contribute, click the link below.
Or mail your Contributions to
JTAAT
P.O. Box 425
Joshua
Thank you for your support
Note: non tax deductible
Last updated December 2, 2018