Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Ephemeris for Friday, September 21st.  The sun will rise at 7:28.  It’ll be up for 12 hours and 11 minutes, setting at 7:40.   The moon, 1 day before first quarter, will set at 11:26 this evening.

Tomorrow evening the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society will host a star party at Northwestern Michigan College’s Rogers Observatory starting at 9 p.m.   It is also the International Observe the Moon Night.  A first quarter moon is what I consider the best of all moons to observe.  But that’s just my opinion.  It shows a great number of craters near the terminator, the sunrise line that cuts the moon in two at first quarter. Also the moon won’t be too bright to mask some of the wonders of the summer Milky way.  The observatory is located south of Traverse City on Birmley Road, between Garfield and Keystone roads.  Speaking of summer, It will end at 10:49 a.m. When autumn will begin as the sun passes the celestial equator heading south.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan.  They may be different for your location.

update

Members of the GTAS will also be stationed in downtown Traverse City on Front St. near the State Theater. Thats only if its clear.