Out of This World Friends of the Library Raffle

Feb 11, 2021 by editor

There are not-to-be-missed celestial events for North Americans coming in 2021. In early March, there will be a quadruple formation of Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon in the southeast morning sky. In July, Venus and Mars will be in conjunction just before dawn. August brings the Perseid meteor shower, as Earth travels through the debris cloud of the Swift-Tuttle comet. Best of all may be the Blood Moon:  at the end of May, we will experience a special kind of total lunar eclipse. While under Earth’s shadow, the moon will blush red as dust particles bend the sun’s light to the red portion of the light spectrum. It will be a super moon, too, bigger and brighter than usual because of its position in Earth’s egg shaped orbit. The eclipse begins at 1:44 am, PST with the total eclipse lasting from 3:11 am to 3:25 am.  (source: “10 Spectacular Star Gazing Events to Watch in 2021” by Andrew Fazekas, National Geographic magazine)

In the spirit of these events, Mokelumne Hill Library is holding an “Out of This World” raffle. With this basket, you will be prepared to ponder and celebrate our night skies and beyond.

Tickets:  $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.  Purchase at the Mokelumne Hill Library.  Put your name and phone on each ticket. Need not be present to win.

Drawing to be held Wednesday, March 17, 2021

“Out of This World” Raffle Basket

1. “Love You to the Moon” picture frame
2. Lucky Starr and the Moons of Jupiter (first edition, 1957). The Lucky Starr series was actually written by Isaac Asimov. He used the pseudonym Paul French because it was meant to be the basis for a TV series. Television was in its infancy and risky; Asimov didn’t want his name associated with something that might not be a success.
3. Do-It-Yourself kit to make a working robot out of a beverage can.
4. Hand blown glass paperweight embellished with celestial bodies by David Salazar. Salazar is a well-known glass artist from the Santa Cruz area.
5. “Launch Fever” vintage lapel pin celebrating the early missions of the space shuttle.
6. Tall candle with decoupage images of celestial bodies.
7. Jar of Tang, nectar to the astronauts.
8. Four Friends of the Library wine glasses.
9. Starry Sky mug that slowly transforms into the Solar System when filled with a hot beverage.
10. Assorted celestial snacks: Luna bars, Milky Way bars and Starburst candies.
11. Handmade tote bag, embroidered with sun and star designs.

Minimum Estimated value:    $175.00