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Astronomy/sunset on October 17, 2009

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Expert: - 6/15/2009


Question
my daughter is getting married on October 17, 2009 in kansas city mo. I read your answer to a gentleman for mid october 2006 and wondered if the times would be the same 2 years later?
the answer you gave was- october 1st- 6:56,  october 15th - 6:34 and october 31st 5:12 pm.

thank you so much

Answer
Hi James...
Congratulations!  Yes, my skyglobe computer program shows a KC MO. Oct 17th sunset at exactly 6:30 pm CDT  (we're on Daylight Stupid time until November 1st this year...thank you Congress! And please
get rid of Daylight time!)
Of course realize that even after local sunset, you'll still
have about 90 minutes of twilight before total darkness, and it
WILL be dark as that is the night of new moon, well, later on the
18th of October (so we'll be out observing with no moon to interfere
with our skies that weekend!)
And about a third of that 90 minutes are useable daylight time,
(like able to read a newspaper) so you really have until 7 pm CDT
before the "street lights come on".
So yes, those times for that other Missouri town are very close
to Kansas City's times...plus or minus 2 minutes depending on your
elevation;  hills, valleys, etc.
Hope this helps,
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA

FOLLOW UP:
Oh, that October 31st time for the other Missouri town was vastly different than 2009 because we went off Daylight Stupid time before Halloween. This year the Halloween sunset time for Missouri will be 6:12 pm CDT and not 5:12 pm CST because we go off Daylight time
at 2 am local on November 1st.
Tom

Astronomy

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Tom Whiting

Expertise

Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years.  Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions.  No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.

Experience

Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.

Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.

Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).

Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions;  Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).

Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.

Education/Credentials
BS  Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.

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