March 24th, a Tuesday, is the evening of our planned outreach event at Metairie Park Country Day School.
Assuming clear skies we will have a number of objects to look at in the night sky. Venus, while low, may still be visible and is quite bright. Above Venus will be both the planet Uranus, invisible from the city to the unaided eye, but visible in a telescope. Close to Uranus will be the star cluster, the Pleiades (M-45), also known as the 7 Sisters. The highlights however should be the Moon (about a day before 1st quarter) Near the Moon is bright Jupiter with all 4 of the Galilean satellites visible (Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. In addition the great Orion Nebula (M-42) is prominent in the sky so that will be a special treat.
Sunset is at just about 7:15 pm so we will be arriving between about 6:45 and 7:15 to set up. We can start viewing objects as telescope setup is completed beginning at about 7:15 to 7:30. We hope the Pontchartrain Astronomy Society will be well represented as I understand that the school is expecting a good turn out.
Directions to our observing location (near the front entrance of the school on Duplessis St.
1) If coming down Metairie Road from the direction of Bonnabel Avenue - cross the railroad tracks and continue on headed south to Duplessis St. (just after Avenue B.) and turn right. Continue for 4 blocks and you will see the field on your right immediately after Iona St.
2) If coming from New Orleans on Metairie Road, go past Frederick's Ave. (there is a traffic light at that intersection) and turn left on to Duplessis St. and travel the 4 blocks to the front of the school.
See the map attachment for clarification. The large red X near the bottom of the image marks the location of the field.
Barry Simon
2) If coming up Metairie Road from