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.
The basic agenda, with approximate times, is as shown on the side.
* Please check the Calendar 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).
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 St.
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 Irvine Lecture Hall next to Hashinger Science Center.
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.
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. MoreLocation
Directions
From 5 Freeway South of 55
- Take 5 Freeway NORTH Exit onto 55 Freeway
- NORTH Take 55 Freeway NORTH to Chapman Avenue Orange
- Turn WEST on Chapman Avenue (right off the freeway exit ramp)
- Take Chapman Avenue WEST to N Grand Street
- Take N Grand Street NORTH until it ends 2 blocks later at E Palm Avenue. Turn RIGHT on E Palm Avenue, then LEFT at the next street (N Center Street)
- Proceed 2 blocks NORTH on N Center Street past the Hashinger parking lot to E Walnut Avenue
- Turn LEFT (WEST) on E Walnut Avenue and go 1 block to the entrance of the Lastinger underground parking structure on the LEFT
- Turn LEFT into the Lastinger underground parking structure.
From 57 Freeway North of the 5
- Take 57 Freeway SOUTH Exit onto West Orangewood Avenue
- Turn LEFT (EAST) onto West Orangewood Avenue
- Take Orangewood Avenue (changes name to Walnut Avenue) past N Glassell Street
- Continue 1 block to the entrance of the Lastinger underground parking structure on the RIGHT
- Turn RIGHT into the Lastinger underground parking structure
From 57 Freeway North of the 5
- Take 5 Freeway SOUTH Exit onto 22 Freeway
- Turn EAST onto 22 Freeway
- Take 22 Freeway to N Grand Avenue (S Glassell Street)
- Turn LEFT (NORTH) on N Grand Avenue continue NORTH as name changes to S Glassell Street
- at Traffic circle (roundabout) take first exit (EAST) onto Chapman Avenue
- Turn LEFT (NORTH) onto N Grand Street
- Take N Grand Street NORTH until it ends 2 blocks later at E Palm Avenue. Turn RIGHT on E Palm Avenue, then LEFT at the next street (N Center Street)
- Proceed 2 blocks NORTH on N Center Street past the Hashinger parking lot to E Walnut Avenue
- Turn LEFT (WEST) on E Walnut Avenue and go 1 block to the entrance of the Lastinger underground parking structure on the LEFT
- Turn LEFT into the Lastinger underground parking structure