Amazing! JPL had communication and data all the way down to the surface. Three Mars satellites converged on the landing site during EDL (Entry, Decent and Landing). The link through Odyssey gave mission control a second by second relay of the data and altitude of the lander. It was great.
Now the work begins. We might get some pictures by 10 p.m. tonight.
Members of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society will be at the Northwestern Michigan College’s BBQ this Sunday, May 18th to view the sun, if it’s clear, or if cloudy they will institute Plan B.
Plan B generally consists of viewing a picture of Saturn down the hall of the science building. We regularly get accused of that on our viewing nights. But only on cloudy or rainy BBQ days do we actually do it.
Not that I believe the weather forecast, but it’s looking like we’ll be viewing Saturn rather than the sun. I hope not.
May 10th is Astronomy Day where observatories, planetariums and astronomy clubs celebrate the heavens with open houses and viewing nights. Check out the astronomical facilities and clubs in your area.
In the Grand Traverse area the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society is joining with Northwestern Michigan College and their Joseph H. Rogers Observatory for a double barreled event. Members of the society will be stationed at the observatory and downtown Traverse City for the event from 9 to 11 p.m. In downtown members will be stationed with telescopes on Front Street near the remodeled State Theater.
Below are photos of sidewalk viewing last year.
Tonight (May 5th) Elk Rapids, MI will douse their outside lights, including the downtown “acorn” lights from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. See elkrapidsblog.org for more information. I’m going to be there tonight with my telescope, and I’m contacting other members of the GTAS, hoping to get their support. I only learned of it this morning. Hope to see you there.