Orange County Astronomers

Private Outreach - Cancelled
2019-02-04 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Bonita Canyon Elementary, 1 Sundance Dr, Irvine, CA, 92603, United States
Event: Bonita Canyon Elementary
Date: Monday, 2/4/2019
Viewing at 7:00 PM, Sunset at 5:25 PM
Place: Bonita Canyon Elementary
Address: 1 Sundance Drive; Irvine
Location: 33°38’02″N, 117°48’47″W
Directions: Take the CA-55 south exit towards Costa Mesa Fwy/Newport Beach. Take the I-405 south and exit on Culver D. Turn right on Culver Dr and go 1.4 mi. Turn left on Campus Dr – go 0.4 mi. Turn right on Turtle Rock Dr – go 1.6 mi. Turn left on Sundance.
Views: 2

New Moon
2019-02-04, 2019-01-05, 2018-05-15 | CA
Views: 2

Private Star Party - Orange County
2019-02-02 18:00 - 23:59 | CA
Monthly Star Party in the OC Parks Open space (Location may vary), open to OCA Members and their guests only. NOTE: The actual time the gate opens may be different from what is shown above. The Orange County star parties generally begin with the opening of the gate about 30 minutes before sundown and close at midnight. Please contact Steve Mizera, the Star Party Coordinator, at mizeras@cox.net for details, and to be put on the OC Star Party mailing list.
Views: 2

Private star party – Anza
2019-02-02 18:00 | CA
Private Star Party – Orange County
6:00:00 PM – 12/31/1899
Monthly Star Party in the OC Parks Open space (Location may vary), open to OCA Members and their guests only. NOTE: The actual time the gate opens may be different from what is shown above. The Orange County star parties generally begin with the opening of the gate about 30 minutes before sundown and close at midnight. Please contact Steve Mizera, the Star Party Coordinator, at mizeras@cox.net for details, and to be put on the OC Star Party mailing list.
Views: 2

Beginner’s Class
2019-02-01 19:30 - 21:30 | CA
7:30:00 AM – 9:30:00 AM The 6th session of the Beginners Astronomy Class covers covers the basics of astrophotography, covering different types of imaging, how different types of cameras are used for this kind of photography, and other equipment and considerations for taking a good picture. This session is taught by Kyle Coker, who is active in the club�s AstroImaging section. The Beginners Astronomy Class is held at the Heritage Museum of Orange County in Santa Ana. For details, please see the webpage on the Beginners Class, under “About OCA” and “Special Interest Groups”. Download the sample information package. Free and open to the public as well as members of OCA. Note: All who attend are invited to one of our monthly OC star parties as our guest.
Views: 2

Private Outreach - Cancelled
2019-02-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Beatty Elementary School, 8201 Country Club Dr, Buena Park, CA, 90621, United States
Event: Brywood Elementary School
Date: Friday, 2/1/2019
Viewing at 7:00 PM, Sunset at 5:22 PM
Place: Brywood Elementary School
Address: 1 Westwood; Irvine
Location: 33°42’43″N, 117°46’25″W
Directions: Take CA-55 South to I-5 South. Take exit 11A to merge onto I-5 South; go 4.0 mi. Take exit 99 for Culver Dr; go 0.4 mi. Turn left at Culver Dr; go 0.6 mi. Turn right at Bryan Ave; go 0.4 mi. Turn right at Westwood. School is on the right.
Beginner’s Class
7:30:00 PM – 9:30:00 PM
7:30:00 AM – 9:30:00 AM The 6th session of the Beginners Astronomy Class covers covers the basics of astrophotography, covering different types of imaging, how different types of cameras are used for this kind of photography, and other equipment and considerations for taking a good picture. This session is taught by Kyle Coker, who is active in the club�s AstroImaging section. The Beginners Astronomy Class is held at the Heritage Museum of Orange County in Santa Ana. For details, please see the webpage on the Beginners Class, under “About OCA” and “Special Interest Groups”. Download the sample information package. Free and open to the public as well as members of OCA. Note: All who attend are invited to one of our monthly OC star parties as our guest. More
Views: 2

Private Outreach - Cancelled
2019-01-31 19:00 - 21:00 | Bryant Ranch Elementary, 24695 Pso De Toronto, Yorba Linda, CA, 92887, United States
Event: Bryant Ranch Elementary
Date: Thursday, 1/31/2019
Viewing at 7:00 PM, Sunset at 5:20 PM
Place: Bryant Ranch Elementary
Address: 24695 Paseo de Toronto; Yorba Linda
Location: 33°52’47″N, 117°42’59″W
Directions: Take CA-91 east to the Imperial Hwy exit. Turn left on Imperial Hwy – go 0.3 mi. Turn right on La Palma Ave – go 4.9 mi. Turn left on Vie Lomas de Yorba East; go 0.5 mi. Turn right on Paseo De Toronto – go 0.4 mi. Access to the blacktop is just east of the first building.
Views: 2

Private Outreach - Cancelled
2019-01-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Castille Elementary School, 24042 Vía La Coruna, Mission Viejo, CA, 92691, United States
Event: Castille Elementary School
Date: Wednesday, 1/30/2019
Viewing at 7:00 PM, Sunset at 5:20 PM
Place: Castille Elementary School
Address: 24042 Via La Coruna; Mission Viejo
Location: 33°36’50″N, 117°39’28″W
Directions: Take CA-91 E to CA-241. Take CA-241S toward Irvine; go 16.5 mi. Take exit 7 for Portola Pkwy. Keep right and merge onto Portola Pkwy; go 0.7 mi. Continue on Santa Margarita Pkwy; go 0.7 mi. Turn right at Marguerite Pkwy; go 2.8 mi. Turn right at Trabuco Rd; go 0.3 mi. Turn right at Puerta de Luz; then turn right at Via la Coruna. School is on the left. Set up on the field up the hill in the back. Enter through gate on the right side of the school.
Views: 2

Private Outreach - Cancelled
2019-01-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Cox Elementary School, 1001 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX, 78613, United States
Event: Cox Elementary School
Date: Tuesday, 1/29/2019
Viewing at 7:00 PM, Sunset at 5:19 PM
Place: Cox Elementary School
Address: 17615 Los Jardines East; Fountain Valley
Location: 33°42’29″N, 117°56’26″W
Directions: Take CA-55 South to I-405 North. Take exit 6A to merge onto I-405 N; go 4.0 mi. Take exit 12 for Euclid St toward Newhope St; go 0.4 mi. Turn left at Euclid St; go 0.7 mi. Turn left at Slater Ave; go 0.1 mi. Turn left at Los Jardines East. School is on the right. Enter the black top area on the south side of the school.
Views: 2

Private Outreach - Cancelled
2019-01-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Imperial Elementary School, 400 S Imperial Hwy, Anaheim Hills, CA, 92807, United States
Event: Imperial Elementary School
Date: Monday, 1/28/2019
Viewing at 7:00 PM, Sunset at 5:18 PM
Place: Imperial Elementary School
Address: 400 S. Imperial Hwy; Anaheim Hills
Location: 33°50’42″N, 117°47’21″W
Directions: Take CA-55 North towards the 91. Use the Right two lanes to merge onto CA-91 E, 0.5 mi. Use the Right two lanes to take Exit 35 towards Lakeview Ave, 0.2 mi. Stay to the left to turn Left onto E Santa Ana Canyon Rd. Turn Right onto S Royal Oak Rd, 0.5 mi. Turn Left onto Nohl Ranch Rd, 0.6 mi. Turn Left onto S Imperial Hwy. School will be on your Right.
Views: 2

NEW TIME - OCA Board Meeting
2019-01-27 11:00 - 15:00 | CA
The regular meeting of the OCA Board has been moved to 11:00 a.m. in the conference room at The Urban Workshop 365 Clinton St A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. There’s limited parking in the lot but plenty on the street.
All members are welcome to attend, but please contact our Secretary, Alan Smallbone, in advance to let him know you will be attending.
Views: 2

Last Qtr Moon
2019-01-27 08:00 - 17:00 | CA

Private Outreach - Beatty Elementary School
2019-01-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Beatty Elementary School, 8201 Country Club Dr, Buena Park, CA, 90621, United States
Event: Beatty Elementary School
Date: Friday, 1/25/2019
Viewing at 7:00 PM, Sunset at 5:15 PM
Place: Beatty Elementary School
Address: 8201 Country Club; Buena Park
Location: 33°53’05″N, 117°59’28″W
Directions: Take CA-91 west to the 5 Fwy. Take I-5 Fwy west to Beach Blvd. Turn right on Beach Blvd to Malvern. Turn right on Malvern. At the first signal, Country Club Drive, turn left. The school is about 1/4 mile up Country Club on your left. Enter through the gate next to the blue colt mural and drive under the walkway coverings to the blacktop.
Views: 2

Private Outreach - LePort School HB
2019-01-24 19:00 - 21:00 | LePort School HB, 16081 Waikiki Ln, Huntington Beach, CA, 92649, United States
Event: LePort School HB
Date: Thursday, 1/24/2019
Viewing at 7:00 PM, Sunset at 5:15 PM
Place: LePort School HB
Address: 16081 Waikiki Lane; Huntington Beach
Location: 33°43’40″N, 118°02’38″W
Directions: Take CA-55 to CA-22 west; go 12.1 mi. Take exit 5 for Valley View St toward Bolsa Chica Rd/I-405 S; go 0.4 mi. Turn left onto Valley View St; go 0.2 mi. Continue onto Bolsa Chica Rd; go 3.1 mi. Turn right onto Edinger Ave; go 0.1 mi. Continue a few 100 ft past Waikiki Lane to the gate on the left. Enter the gate and drive across the field to the blacktop area.
Views: 2

Private Outreach - Cypress Village Elementary
2019-01-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Cypress Village Elementary School, 355 Rush Lily, Irvine, CA, 92620, United States
Place: Cypress Village Elementary
Address: 355 Rush Lily; Irvine
Location: 33°41’08″N, 117°45’31″W
Directions: Take CA-55 towards I-5 South. Merge onto I-5 South towards San Diego, go 9.5 mi. Take exit 96A for Sand Canyon Ave and make a Left at the stop light. Turn Left onto Nightmist, 03 mi. Then turn Right onto Rush Lily. School will be right in front of you – enter the parking lot and immediate turn right. Gate to the blacktop is furthest right of the parking lot near Rush Lily Ave.
Views: 2

Full Moon
2019-01-20 08:00 - 17:00 | CA

1st Qtr Moon
2019-01-13 | CA

New Years Day
2019-01-01 | CA

New Year's Eve
2018-12-31 | CA

Christmas
2018-12-25 | CA

Winter Solstice
2018-12-21 | CA

OCA General Meeting - DEC 2018
2018-12-14 11:30 - 14:30 | Irvine Lecture Hall of the Chapman University, 336 N Center St, Orange, CA, 92866, United States
Astrophysics learning from the detection of Gravitational Waves

We often said that the detection of gravitational waves would open a new window on the Universe.
Well, it was more surprising than expected.
I will illustrate the latest events found in the data, give you a glimpse of the strange things that we see through that window, and attempt an early summary of some astrophysical implications.

Documents with in-depth information about the topic from the Erice School Of Nuclear Physics can be downloaded below.

Document 1
Document 2
Document 3

About OCA General Meetings
The OCA has a general meeting held on the second Friday of every month* at Chapman University.
These meetings are free and open to the general public.
The meetings take place in The Irvine Lecture Hall with seating for approximately 250 people.
The Irvine Lecture Hall (located adjacent to the Hashinger Science Center) is near the south east corner of the campus and the nearest cross street is East Palm Ave and North Center Street.
After the slideshow, the meeting officially starts at 7:30 PM.
The basic agenda, with approximate times, is as shown below.
* Please check here for any changes to the date of the meeting (rarely we get a scheduling conflict which results in the meeting being pushed back a week).
Agenda

7:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Pre-meeting Slide Show
Arrival of audience. This presentation includes recent astronomical photographs taken by OCA members.

7:30 PM – 7:45 PM
Club Announcements
Usually presented by the OCA Secretary.

7:45 PM – 8:15 PM
“What’s Up?”
Presented by various OCA Members and guests from other clubs.

8:15 PM – 9:15 PM
Main Talk
Speakers are often from JPL/Caltech and other major educational and astronomical institutions.
The level of the talks are usually appropriate for anyone who has an interest in this hobby.

9:15 PM – 9:30 PM
Refreshments Break
Donuts, coffee and soda are available for a small donation.

9:30 PM – 10:00 PM
“Ask an Astronomer”
Anyone can stay behind and ask a panel of experts any burning question related to this hobby.

First Time Attending
Plan to be there anytime between 7:00 and 7:30. During which a slideshow runs. The formal part of the meeting starts at 7:30 after which it gets crowded and if you come late you may have to stand in the back.
We recommend the paid parking lot which is an underground facility about a hundred feet east of Glassel. (see below)
Enter the parking lot from Walnut. Walnut is north of the main part of the campus.
After parking toward the south end, walk to the main stairs where you will find a ticketing machine that takes cash or credit card.
Buy 3 hours. The machine might take some time to finish the transaction.
Place the ticket on your dash board and then go up those stairs and continuing walking south to Hashinger Hall.
Library
During the meeting our extensive club library is open to allow members to browse the books, videos and DVD’s that are available for their use.
Membership
The club’s Treasurer is available to accept new applications and renewals. More…
Also a range of interesting astronomical items (calendars, decals, etc.) are available for sale at his table, of which, all proceeds go to the club.
Views: 2

Private - New Vista School Spring Dance
2018-05-17 20:45 - 22:45 | New Vista School Spring Dance, 23092 Mill Creek Dr, Laguna Hills, CA, 92653, United States
Event: New Vista School Spring Dance
Date: Thursday, 5/17/2018
Viewing at 8:45 PM, Sunset at 7:47 PM
Place: New Vista School Spring Dance
Address: 3101 W Harvard St; Santa Ana
Location: 33°43’15″N, 117°54’38″W
Directions: This event is taking place at the Heritage Museum in Santa Ana. Take CA-55 South to 405 N. Merge onto 405 North towards Long Beach. Take the Exit 11 Fairview Rd /Harbor Blvd, keep Right at the fork and follow signs for Fairview Rd. Turn right onto Fairview Rd, 2.2 mi. Turn Left onto West Harvard Rd. The Heritage Museum will be on your right. Turn into the driveway marked for Bus and Employee Entrance and follow it back behind the museum to park.
Views: 2

Ramadan Begins
2018-05-15 | CA

Mother’s Day
2018-05-13 | CA

Last Qtr Moon
2018-05-07 | CA
3rd Quarter Moon
Views: 2

Private - Cub Scout 766 Camp Out
2018-05-05 20:45 - 22:45 | CA
Event: Cub Scout 766 Camp Out
Date: Saturday, 5/5/2018
Viewing at 8:45 PM, Sunset at 7:36 PM
Place: Cub Scout 766 Camp Out
Address: 33401 Ortega Hwy; San Juan Capistrano
Location: 33°32’29″N, 117°33’10″W
Directions: This event is taking place at Caspers Wilderness Park Camogrounds. Take CA-55 south towards Costa Mesa. Take the exit for I-5 South towards San Diego (past the 5/405 merger), 20 mil. Use the 2nd from Right lane to take Exit 82 for CA-74/Ortega Highway towards San Juan Capastrano. Turn Left onto CA-74/Ortega Highway, 7.5 mi. Look for signs for Caspers Wilderness – it will be on your lefthand side.
Views: 2

Cinco de Mayo
2018-05-05 | CA
