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

September
2 Thu 8:30 PM	-	Public Outreach - San Clemente State Beach
			Event: San Clemente State Beach Date: Thursday, 9/02/2010 Viewing at 8:30 PM Place: San Clemente State Beach Address: 225 Avenida Califia; San Clemente Directions: Take CA-55 south to the I-5. Take the I-5 South toward San Diego - go 30 mi. Take exit 73 for Ave Calafia; go 0.2 mi. Merge onto Avenida Califia; go 0.2 mi. Turn left for entrance to the Beach Campground. At the kiosk, ask for directions and map to the picnic area past the cottage. Stay on the main camp road to the Cottage/Visitor Center. Drive down gravel road on the left side of the cottage. Turn left into the Picnic area.
3 Fri 7:30 PM	-	Beginners Astronomy Class
			Beginners Astronomy Class - held at the Heritage Museum of Orange County 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 invited to visit our Anza dark site or our Black Star Canyon dark site as guests at one of our monthly star parties.
10 Fri 6:00 PM	-	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 here
11 Sat 6:00 PM	-	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 here
14 Tue 8:00 PM	-	Private Outreach - Laguna Woods Village
			Event: Laguna Woods Village Host: Nancy Condon 949 770-1377; 949 395-3837 C Date: Tuesday, 9/14/2010 Viewing at 8:00 PM Place: Laguna Woods Village Address: 24262 Punta Alta; Laguna Woods Directions: Take CA-55 to I-5 South. Merge onto I-5 South; go 11.9 mi to the El Toro Rd exit. Merge onto Paseo de Valencia; go 0.2 mi. Turn right onto El Toro Rd and go 2.1 mi to Calle Corta. Turn right on Calle Corta into Gate 9. Turn right at Avenida Sosiega; go 0.2 mi. Turn left at Monte Hermoso; go 0.3 mi. Turn right at Punta Alta, clubhouse is on the right.
18 Sat 8:00 PM	-	Public Outreach - Irvine Regional Park
			Event: Irvine Regional Park Date: Saturday, 9/18/2010 Viewing at 8:00 PM Place: Irvine Regional Park Address: 1 Irvine Park Road; Orange Directions: Take CA-55 to Chapman Ave. Exit and go east on Chapman Ave. Continue on E Chapman Ave; go 4.1 mi. Turn left at Jamboree Rd; go 0.3 mi. Continue onto Irvine Park Rd; go 0.2 mi. Turn left to stay on Irvine Park Rd. Ask for setup location at entry gate.
October
1 Fri 7:00 PM	-	Private Outreach - La Veta Elementary School
			Event: La Veta Elementary Date: Friday, 10/01/2010 Viewing at 7:00 PM Place: La Veta Elementary Address: 2800 E La Veta Ave; Orange, CA Directions: Take CA-55 South to Chapman Ave. Turn left (go East) on E Chapman Ave 0.3 mi. Turn right at S Yorba St; go 0.5 mi. Turn left at E La Veta Ave; go 0.2 mi.
1 Fri 7:30 PM	-	Beginners Astronomy Class
			Beginners Astronomy Class - held at the Heritage Museum of Orange County 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 invited to visit our Anza dark site or our Black Star Canyon dark site as guests at one of our monthly star parties.

About OCA

OCA Activities

Special Interest Groups