Orange County Astronomers

Outreach

One of the fundamental reasons why the OCA was formed over 35 years ago was to help spread the knowledge and appreciation of Astronomy within the local community. Every year literally 1,000's of people, young and old, get to experience the joys of Astronomy, sometimes for the very first time, when OCA Members bring their telescopes out to schools, libraries and other venues. We do this absolutely for free (although we do not usually turn down any donations to the clubs education fund).

The very active outreach program is run by Jim Benet and attracts many OCA Members to help out. Jim is always looking for more volunteers. The qualifications are simple. Whatever telescope you have is fine, big or small, it doesn't matter. You simply need to bring along your telescope and love for astronomy and be willing to share that joy with all the hungry eyes and minds that turn up.

The upcoming outreach events are always entered into the OCA calendar. The outreach events that occur within schools are usually always private (members of the public cannot attend unless they have children at the school). Other outreach events which are scheduled in some of the public parks and areas may be open to the public. If you are not a member of the OCA and you would like to attend one of our outreach events please contact Jim Benet if you are unlear if the event is open to the public.

Jim Benet may be reach by email jimbenet@pacbell.net phone: 714 693-1639

Below is a list of upcoming outreach events from our calendar

May
17 Sat 10:00 PM	-	Public Outreach - Relay for Life
			Event: Relay for Life Host: Shanna Robb 562 427-9901 H; 562 260-7451 C Date: Saturday, 5/17/2008 Viewing at 10:00 PM Place: Newport Beach Harbor High School Address: 600 Irvine Ave; Newport Beach Directions: Take CA-55 South toward Newport Beach. Turn left onto E 17th St, go 0.9 mi. Turn right onto Irvine Ave, go 0.5 mi.
30 Fri 9:00 PM	-	Private Outreach - College Park Elementary Campout
			Event: College Park Elementary Campout Host: Lori Robnett; John Sanders 714 906-2059 C; 714 424-7960 S Date: Friday, 5/30/2008 Viewing at 9:00 PM Place: College Park Elementary Campout Address: 2380 Notre Dame; Costa Mesa Directions: Take CA-55 South to Exit 4, Del Mar Ave / Fair Dr. Merge onto Newport Blvd. go 0.2 mi. Turn right onto Fair Dr. go 0.6 mi. Turn left onto Villanova Rd. go 0.2 mi. Turn left onto Notre Dame Rd. go <0.1 mi.
June
5 Thu 8:30 PM	-	Public Outreach - Bommer Canyon
			Event: Bommer Canyon Host: Betsy Thompson 949-724-6738 Date: Thursday, 6/05/2008 Viewing at 8:30 PM Place: Bommer Canyon Address: 12 Bommer Canyon Rd; Irvine Directions: Take the CA-55 South to I-405 south. Go South on I-405 to the Culver exit. Turn right (South) on Culver Drive to Shady Canyon Road. Turn left (East) on Shady Canyon Road and drive 1.2 miles to Bommer Canyon Road. Turn right on Bommer Canyon Road and go 0.8 mile.
6 Fri 7:30 PM	-	Beginners Astronomy Class
			Beginners Astronomy Class - held at the Centennial Heritage Museum in Santa Ana. For details, including the schedule of topics and course handouts, please see the webpage on the Beginners Class, under "About OCA" and "Special Interest Groups," or click here. Free and open to the public as well as members of OCA. Note: All people who attend will be allowed to visit our Anza dark site or our Black Star Canyon dark site for a monthly star party.
6 Fri 9:00 PM	-	Private Outreach - Paularino Elementary
			Event: Paularino Elementary School Campout Host: Cori Juncker; Stacy deBoom (P) 714 424-7950 S; 714 299-5829 C Date: Friday, 6/06/2008 Viewing at 9:00 PM Place: Paularino Elementary School Address: 1060 Paularino Ave; Costa Mesa Directions: Take the CA-55 to Baker St. Turn right on Baker St - go 1.1 mi. Turn right on Babb St - go 0.2 mi. Turn left on Paularino Ave - go 0.2 mi.
7 Sat 8:00 PM	-	Public Outreach - Riley Wilderness Park
			Event: Riley Wilderness Park Host: Donna Krucki, Val Akins 949-923-2266 Date: Saturday, 6/07/2008 Viewing at 8:00 PM Place: Riley Wilderness Park Address: Riley Wilderness Park Directions: Go south on the 405 /5 Freeway to Oso Parkway. Go left on Oso for 9 to 10 miles to the end. Turn right at the Star Watch sign. Follow the dirt road into the park.
7 Sat 6:00 PM	-	Explore the Stars
			Explore the Stars (ETS) is a fun and exciting collaboration between amateur astronomers from across Southern California and the Forest Service, with support from Palomar Observatory. One night a month from spring through fall of each year, Observatory Campground on Palomar Mt. becomes a true dark site, and, after a talk on an astronomy-related topic, campers from all over the mountain and other visitors have a chance to see some of the sights of the night sky through the telescopes of the ETS volunteers. For the volunteers, the evening starts with a potluck dinner and socializing around 6:00, then the talk usually starts in the amphitheater at 7:00 or 7:30, and is followed by the viewing session. After the visitors leave, the volunteers generally spend the rest of the night having their own star party under the same sky that made Palomar Observatory so successful. For more information or to volunteer, please contact the program coordinator, Bob Nanz (bobnanz@direcway.com), or the OCA contact for ETS, Richard Cranston (rcransto@ix.netcom.com or 714-893-8659).

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