Recommended Star Party Dates 2009-2010

November (a bit cooler, but still a good month). Daylight savings time ends 11/2, so parties can begin as early as 6 pm.

Recommended dates - November 9-13, 16-19, 22-23 [booked dates - 11/12, 11/16, 11/19]

- viewing opportunities

Moon (11/18, 19, 22, 23)
Taurids meteor shower
Leonids meteor shower 11/17
Jupiter
Uranus & Neptune
Two planetary nebulas (ring nebula and dumbbell nebula)
Several Globular Clusters
Several bright open star clusters including the Perseus Double Cluster
The Pleiades (star cluster)
Orion Nebula (after 8 pm late in month)
Andromeda Galaxy
A few Summer Milky Way Nebulae (early in the evening)
Albireo (neat pair of stars with dramatic colors)

December (can be cold, but cold in New Mexico isn't the same as cold in Wisconsin). Parties can begin as early as 6:00 pm. Have your PTO sell hot chocolate.

Recommended dates - December 7-11, 14-18

- viewing opportunities

Moon (12/18)
Jupiter
Uranus & Neptune
Two planetary nebulas (ring nebula and dumbbell nebula)
A few Globular Clusters
Several bright open star clusters including the Perseus Double Cluster
The Pleiades (star cluster)
Orion Nebula (after 8 pm early in month, 7 pm mid-month)
Andromeda Galaxy

January (will be cold, bundle up!). Parties can begin as early as 6:15-6:30 pm. Have your PTO sell hot chocolate.

Recommended dates - January 4-8, 11-15, 18-22

- viewing opportunities

Moon (1/18-22)
Jupiter (early in evening)
Mars (after around 7:30 pm)
A couple of Globular Clusters
Several bright open star clusters including the Perseus Double Cluster
The Pleiades (star cluster)
Orion Nebula
Andromeda Galaxy
M81 and M81 (galaxy pair)

February (slightly warmer than January, but still need to bring a warm coat). Parties can begin as early as 6:30 to 7:00 pm. Have your PTO sell hot chocolate.

Recommended dates - February 2-5, 8-12, 15-19

- viewing opportunities

Moon (2/15-19)
Mars
Several bright open star clusters including the Perseus Double Cluster
The Pleiades (star cluster)
Orion Nebula
Andromeda Galaxy
M81 and M81 (galaxy pair)

March (cool, can be breezy). Daylight savings time begins March 14th. Parties can begin as early as 7:00 pm before 3/14, but not until after 8 pm after 3/14. I'd still enjoy a hot chocolate.

Recommended dates - March 3-5, 8-12, 15-19, 22

- viewing opportunities

Moon (3/17-19, 22)
Mars
Venus
Saturn (after 7:30/8:30)
Several bright open star clusters including the Perseus Double Cluster
The Pleiades (star cluster)
Orion Nebula
Andromeda Galaxy
M81 and M81 (galaxy pair)