One of
the greatest thrills for a beginning backyard astronomer is
to view the heavens through a telescope. Because there are
a number of amateur astronomy groups and professional observatories
in San Diego and Southern California, many opportunities exist
for the public to explore the cosmos in this way.
San
Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA)
The SDAA hosts a number of free public sky viewing events
throughout the year, both at the Space Theater, and at their
dark sky observatory complex in Tierra del Sol.
At dusk
on the first Wednesday of each month, following the monthly
"Sky Tonight" planetarium show in the Space Theater,
members of the SDAA set up telescopes on the north side of
the Fleet Center building, by the large fountain in Balboa
Park, for free public sky viewing. Though the sky is not as
dark and clear as one might hope, viewers can enjoy a variety
of sights, from the moon and planets to the brighter stars.
In addition,
the SDAA hosts public star parties twice a month at their
dark observing site in Tierra del Sol, about 90 minutes east
of San Diego. Here, visitors can view the sky through small
and large telescopes - including the 0.6-meter (22-inch) diameter
Lipp Telescope -- and get a glimpse of some remarkable "deep
- sky objects" such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.
Dates
for these and other club events are listed on the SDAA Events
Calendar.
Phone:
(619) 645 - 8940.
Oceanside Photo & Telescope Astronomical
Society (OPTAS)
Once a month, on the Saturday closest to the new moon, the
OPTAS hosts a Star Party under the clear, dark skies of Little
Blair Valley in the Anza Borrego Desert, about 1.5 hours east
of Oceanside. For more information call Oceanside Photo &
Telescope at (760) 722 - 3343 or 1 (800) 483 - 6287.
Riverside Telescope Makers Conference
(RTMC)
Each year on Memorial Day weekend, the Riverside Telescope
Makers Conference is held at the YMCA Camp Oakes, 13 kilometers
(8 miles) east of Big Bear City on Highway 38. Visitors have
the unique opportunity to see and look through a large variety
of telescopes (with relatively dark skies and high elevation),
attend talks by professional and amateur astronomers, see
some astronomical equipment and software in use, and buy astronomical
equipment, software, T - shirts, etc.- often at reduced prices.
Advance registration is required.
Phone: (909) 948-2205, or send e-mail to Robert Stephens
at rstephens@foxandstephens.com
Nightfall
Each year in late September, Nightfall is sponsored by Riverside
Telescope Makers Conference (RTMC) at the Palm Canyon Resort
in Borrego Springs. The warm temperatures at this event provide
the opportunity for shirt-sleeve observing of the autumn sky.
The entire resort is reserved for astronomical purposes that
weekend; the lights are covered with red. Advance registration
is required. Phone: (909) 948 - 2205 (Bob) or (619) 224 -
8331 between 4 and 9 p.m. (Marishka)
You need to call the Palm Canyon Resort for a room or RV space
at their facility. Their phone number is (800) 242-0044
Starry Nights Festival (SNF)
Presented by the City of Yucca Valley and the Astronomical
League Western Region (WRAL), the Starry Nights Festival (SNF)
takes place in October, with speakers, workshops, demonstration
booths and evening observing sessions under the dark, pristine
skies of Yucca Valley and the Joshua Tree National Monument.
Advance registration is required.
Bob Gent,
SNF Registrar, 325 Cloudes Mill Drive, Alexandria,
VA 22304-3080 or by e-mail: BobGent@aol.com
The above
listings are for information purposes only and do not constitute
an endorsement by the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
The above listings are for information purposes only and
do not constitute an endorsement by the Reuben H. Fleet Science
Center. For the latest information on programs, tours or organizations,
please refer to their individual websites.
