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RSS Feeds Get ready for quite a show the evening of Wednesday, February 20, 2008. For the third time in the last 12 months the moon will experience a total lunar eclipse for viewers in North America. Be sure not miss this since it will be the last one we will see until December 20, 2010! As the shine from the full moon turns to a deep orange you can enjoy golden Saturn which lies near the eclipsed moon.
The eclipse begins at 6:43 p.m. MST when the moon just begins to slip into Earth\'s shadow. Totality begins at 8:01 p.m. and continues for 51 minutes wrapping up at 8:52 p.m. MST. The moon will slip out of Earth\'s shadow over the following 78 minutes.
Weather permitting, the CMS Observatory will be open from 7 - 9 p.m. if folks would like to drop by for a look at the eclipsed moon and other celestial objects.
If you happen to be reading this on Monday, Nov. 26th then be sure to look for the moon in the east around 8 or 9 pm. The bright reddish looking star is actually the planet Mars! They should make a beautiful pairing tonight.
Lets hope for a clear night on November 17th and the early morning hours of the 18th for the Leonid Meteor shower. Earth passes through the trail of comet 55P/Temple-Tuttle at this time and specks of debris from the comet enter our atmosphere and, as they burn up, give off the streaks of light we call meteors. For the best viewing look to the constellation Leo the lion on the night/morning of November 17/18.
In the eastern pre-dawn darkness of Sunday, October 7th, Venus, Saturn, the Moon, and the star Regulus in Leo put on quite a show as they are all within a couple degrees of each other.
The morning of October 21st will be the best time to view the Orionid Meteor shower. Look for the constellation Orion in the southern sky before dawn on that Sunday to see a peak of as many as 20 meteors per hour.
Be sure not to miss the total lunar eclipse on the morning of Tuesday, August 28, 2007! The umbral eclipse begins at 2:51 and ends at 6:24 but totality should begin at 3:52 and end at 5:22 AM. The forecast right now (8/24) is for clear skies so be sure to set your alarm so you can view this awesome event!
The CMS Observatory will be having an open house for 8th grade students, their families, and any other folks interested in an evening of observing. Weather permitting, the observatory will be open from 7:00-9:30pm on Tuesday, January 23. Should weather not cooperate, the backup date will be one week later on Tuesday, January 30. If you have questions please contact Pete Idema or Rich Davis at 587.4273 or email us at pidema@park6.k12.wy.us or rdavis@park6.k12.wy.us, respectively. The observatory is located in the white building behind (north side) of Cody Middle School and parking is available in the parking lot on the east side of the school.
The space shuttle and the International Space Station have been visible from Cody the last couple nights and you can find the next time either of these objects (as well as many others) will be visible by visiting the site: www.heavens-above.com The space shuttle and ISS will be visible moving from W to NE tonight (Dec. 21) at 6:03 pm and 6:18 pm, respectively.
Be sure not to miss the Leonid Meteor Shower on the night of November 18th. Meteors should be rather plentiful the night/early morning before and after the 18th as well. The best plan it to get out of town to a dark site, dress warm, and look toward the constellation Leo which is the location from with the meteors will enter our atmosphere.
On November 8, 2006 the CMS Observatory will be open between 12:30 and 1:30 pm, weather permitting, for people to use some of the observatory telescopes to view the transit of the planet Mercury across the sun. The actual transit is to last from 12:12 - 5:10 pm MST and should only be viewed with telescopes with approved solar filters.
Finally the observatory has a new clean and easy to manage site!
Clear Sky Clock