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

July
31 Sat 9:00 PM	-	Private Outreach - Audubon Society
			Event: Sea and Sage Audubon Date: Saturday, 7/31/2010 Viewing at 9:00 PM Place: Sea and Sage Audubon Address: San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, 3512 Michelson Dr; Irvine Directions: Take I-405 South to Jamboree. Take exit 7 for Jamboree Rd; go 0.3 mi. Turn right at Jamboree Rd; go 0.3 mi. Turn left at Michelson Dr; go 0.7 mi. Turn right on Riparian View toward the Irvine Ranch Water District water treatment plant. Follow the road and signs directing you to Audubon, the Duck Club, and the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.
August
3 Tue 8:30 PM	-	Public Outreach - San Clemente State Beach
			Event: San Clemente State Beach Date: Tuesday, 8/03/2010 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.
5 Thu 8:30 PM	-	Public Outreach - Shipley Nature Center
			Event: Shipley Nature Center Host: Steve Engel 714 842-4772; 714 717-2531 C; 714 848-3709 H Date: Thursday, 8/05/2010 Talk at 8:30 PM; Viewing at 8:45 PM Place: Shipley Nature Center Address: Central Park; 17851 Goldenwest; Huntington Beach Directions: Take CVC-55 S to I-405 N. Slight left at I-405 N; go 7.0 mi. Take exit 15 for Warner Ave toward Magnolia St; go 0.2 mi. Keep right at the fork and merge onto Warner Ave; go 1.5 mi. Turn left at Beach Blvd/CA-39; go 0.5 mi. Turn right at Slater Ave; go 1.0 mi. Turn left at Goldenwest St; go 0.3 mi. Park is on the right.
6 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.
6 Fri 8:45 PM	-	Public Outreach - Carbon Canyon Park
			Event: Carbon Canyon Park Date: Friday, 8/06/2010 Viewing at 8:45 PM Place: Carbon Canyon Park Address: 4442 Carbon Canyon Rd; Brea Directions: Take CA-57 North to exit 10 for Lambert Rd; go 0.3 mi. Turn right at E Lambert Rd; go 1.8 mi. Continue straight onto Carbon Canyon Rd 0.7 mi. Park is be on the right.
12 Thu 8:30 PM	-	Public Outreach - O’Neill Regional Park
			Event: O’Neill Regional Park Host: Molly Stallcup 949 923-2258 Date: Thursday, 8/12/2010 Viewing at 8:30 PM Place: O’Neill Regional Park Address: 30892 Trabuco Canyon Road; Trabuco Canyon Directions: Take CA-91 east to CA-241 S. Merge on to CA-241 S; Toll road; go 20.1 mi. Take the Santa Margarita Pkwy exit. Turn right at Santa Margarita Pkwy; go 1.9 mi. Turn left at Plano Trabuco Rd; go 0.6 mi. Plano Trabuco Rd becomes Trabuco Canyon Rd; go 0.9 mi.
13 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
14 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 Sat 8:00 PM	-	Public Outreach - Riley Wilderness Park
			Event: Riley Wilderness Park Host: Ranger Donna Krucki 949-923-2266 Date: Saturday, 8/14/2010 Viewing at 8:00 PM Place: Riley Wilderness Park Address: 30952 Oso Pkwy; Coto de Caza 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.
27 Fri 8:30 PM	-	Public Outreach - Bommer Canyon
			Event: Bommer Canyon Date: Friday, 8/27/2010 Viewing at 8:30 PM Place: Bommer Canyon Address: 11 Bommer Canyon Rd; Irvine Directions: Go south on I-405 to Culver Dr exit. Turn right on Culver Dr. and go 3 to 4 mi. Turn left onto Shady Canyon Road (formerly Bonita Canyon Road). Go 1.0 mi to Bommer Canyon Rd, turn right. Go 1 mi to the water tower and cattle camp. Please obey the 15 mph speed limit on Bommer Canyon Rd.

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