|
Understanding Clear Sky Patrol is easy, once you understand what is needed to observe stars. It may be a clear night as far as a night-time stroll is concerned, but conditions could still be poor for observing.
If the sky is cloudy, than Clear Sky Patrol will be canceled due to the inability to observe. There are two ways to be sure that you don't arrive at Van Allen only to be disappointed:
1. Check the web-page
2. Look at the sky
Weather changes in Iowa quite quickly, so a clear evening could rapidly turn into a cloudy night, especially in the Fall. If you look at the night sky and cannot see stars, Clear Sky Patrol is most definitely canceled. |
Links:
Clear Sky Patrol Status
Tutorial Hours
Lecture-Cornelia Lang (Fall, 2008) General Astronomy
Lecture-Helen Bryce (Fall, 2008) Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
Lecture-Ken Gayley (Fall, 2008) Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
Lecture-Randy McEntaffer (Fall, 2008) Exploration of the Solar System
|
|
Tuesday, Dec 2, 2008 @6pm
The forecast for Tuesday night is mostly cloudy. The probability for Clear Sky Patrol is low.
Updated 12/1; 5:28am
Clear Sky Patrol is currently Tuesday-Thursday at 6pm, on the roof of Van Allen Hall (the physics building) on CLEAR NIGHTS ONLY. Clear sky patrol involves a sky tour of visible constellations, as well as telescope viewing of astronomical objects. Students and community members wishing to attend should take the Eastern-most elevator in Van Allen to the 7th floor, and then climb the stairs from the 7th floor to the rooftop observatory. There are small signs posted.
Radar map of Iowa City:
Click the "Clouds (IR)" checkbox to see current cloud-cover.
What's up?
Right now there are a number of exciting objects to be viewed at Van Allen's rooftop observatory. Clear sky patrol involves a sky tour of visible constellations, as well as telescope viewing of astronomical objects. Currently, Clear Sky Patrol is focusing on Albereo, the Andromeda Galaxy, Jupiter, the Ring Nebula, and the Moon.
|
