UPDATE 8/15: Cloud cover and high winds made our participation impossible. However, some of the 50+ teams in the campaign were successful.

This Tuesday night we have our next “community science” campaign to observe objects in the Kuiper Belt. This time the atmosphere of Pluto is the focus as  it occults, or passes in front of a star (often referred to as an eclipse). About 54 teams of students, teachers, community members and others, stretched from the Mexican to the Canadian borders will train their 11 inch telescopes on the event and record video that can be analyzed later. Collecting data from different angles is key to the work RECON does.

The weather is supposed to be good here in Reno where my team is scheduled to participate, but the multiple fires all along the west coast have been producing choking smoke that could be a problem for many of us.

From the RECON website: “RECON is gearing up for an important science opportunity involving Pluto.  As shown below, the shadow path of Pluto passes over most of the United States as the dwarf planet occults star GA0680:34878053 on Tuesday evening, August 14 (August 15 around 05:30UTC).”

Hoping the skies aren’t too messy to participate!

Learning is messy!