Paschal Moon Hawk: Full Moon, Jupiter's Moons, Saturn's Rings, phases of Venus

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/3/0/c/event_17609452.jpeghttp://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/2/5/e/event_18933374.jpegPaschal Moon Hawk: Full Moon & Sunset Twilight
Thursday evening 5 April 2012, 7:15 P.M.

This little trek is so easy, ½ mile each direction with only 150 feet of gain/loss, that it is just a Hawk (more than a walk but less than a hike). We are doing a Hawk tonight because we will be schlepping a telescope with which to attempt multiple sightings in the sky. The bright light of full moonrise and the twilight of sunset will be on opposite sides of the sky. First, Jupiter will chase the Sun over the same horizon shortly after sunset. Looking directly into twilight, it may still be too bright, but we will try to find a few moments that get dark enough to see at least three of Jupiter's Galilean moons (four if we are lucky) before Jupiter also sets. Then we look up a bit to observe the phases of Venus. Venus & Jupiter have been the two bright objects dancing with each other in the early evening sky for the last six weeks or so ~ generating lots of comments from humans below. We will follow the arc of the ecliptic across the sky for a quick view of Mars, after which Saturn's rise should be chasing the moonrise on the opposite horizon. Attempting to see the Rings of Saturn, we will face a problem similar to the one with Jupiter's Moons: the nearness of the nearly Full Moon may be too bright. Time permitting, we will put a moon filter on the eyepiece and check out the surface of the Moon.

The moment of full moon, transition from waxing to waning, will occur near noon the next day and serve as the trigger event for both Passover and Easter. The Paschal moon is the first full moon after the Spring Equinox.

You might want to bring a flashlight but you probably won't use it much since we'll have sunset twilight on the way in and full moonlight on the way back.

Don't have a flashlight? We'll have a few spares on sale for $5 (OR, modified with red lens for NPAS nightview dark adaptation $10)

Full disclosure:

Our Organizer, Donald, also serves on the Outdoor Advisory Council to the Conejo Recreation and Park District.

Always bring plenty of water and bring money for group activity afterward.

Want to be even more prepared? Use the ten essentials checklist: 1. Map 2. Compass (or GPS) 3. Flashlight (+extra batteries) 4. Extra food 5. Extra clothing 6. Rain gear 7. First aid supplies (http://www.sierraclub.org/chapters/tn/broome/first_aid_kit.htm) 8. Pocket knife 9. Matches 10. Fire starter

This is a cross listing of an event with BobCarolTedAlice-Hiking and all following references to BobCarolTedAlice-Hiking apply equally to BobCarolTedAlice-Hiking and/or Newbury Park Adventure Society.

Disclaimer:
The organizer(s) or leader(s) take no responsibility and will not be held responsible for any injuries or accidents that may occur during any BobCarolTedAlice-hiking event. These events can be inherently dangerous and accidents will happen.

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1. The risk of injury from the many of the activities is significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while particular skills, rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and
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3. to willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation. If, however, you observe any unusual significant hazard during your presence or participation, you will remove yourself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately; and,
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   BobCarolTedAlice-hiking, their organizers, officers, officials, agents, and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and leasers of premises used to conduct the event ("RELEASEES”), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Activity participant agrees that this release will apply to all known and unknown as well as unanticipated claims, injures and damages resulting from group activities, as well as those now disclosed and all rights under section 1542 of the Civil Code of California and hereby are expressly waived. Section 1542 of the Civil Code of California reads as follows:“A general release does not extend to claims which the (participant) does not know or suspect to exist in his (or her) favor, at the time of execution of the release, which if known by him (or her) must have materially affected his (or her) (participation and agreeing to) the release.”

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