| Free Star Parties: 2007 There is no charge for telescopic viewing. Dress warm. If the weather is poor the session is canceled. The Stars From Big Bend Big Bend is located along Hwy 80, 30 miles above Colfax. This is beyond Blue Canyon and Emigrant Gap. The Big Bend exit it the first one past Cisco Grove. At the bottom of the off-ramp turn left, and travel one-half mile (past the USFS Visitor Center). Look for the Loch Leven trailhead parking lot and the stargazing signs. Please try to be on time for the Big Bend star parties. These "shows" last ninety minutes. Meadow Vista Park The park is located near downtown Meadow Vista. From Hwy 80 take the Clipper Gap/Meadow Vista exit. Head west for 2.1 miles until you reach Meadow Vista Rd. A Chevron Service Station is at the corner. Turn left. The park is on your left. We will set up by the tennis courts. American River Canyon Overlook = Auburn Dam Overlook = Auburn Skatepark To get there, go to downtown Auburn, to the historic Courthouse. One of the roads branching from there is Auburn-Folsom Rd. Take that to the third stoplight (about a mile). That is Pacific Ave. Turn left. Go about 0.6 mile to the Auburn Dam Overlook, (on your right) also known as the Auburn Skate Park. We set up at the far end of the parking lot. Sugar Pine Res. Boat Launch Parking Lot Take Interstate 80 to the Foresthill Exit, take Foresthill Rd (18 miles) through Foresthill, then continue another 9 miles. Take the turn off on the left to Sugar Pine Reservoir, go 5.7 more miles to the Boat Launch Parking Lot, which will be on your right. Enter the parking lot and go right, we set up the telescopes on the upper parking lot, so park on the lower parking lot. Placer Nature Center Classes These following classes are not free and you must sign up in advance with the PNC (530)878-6053. To get there: take Hwy 80 to Dry Creek Road (north of Auburn). Exit Hwy 80, head west to the stop sign. Turn left onto Dry Creek Rd. Go one-half mile to the next stop sign. Turn right onto Christian Valley Rd. Stay on this road to the end, (four miles), go through the gate, turn left. Plenty of signs. The Stars for Families Does you have an interest in astronomy? This class will help satisfy that desire to know more about the heavens and to look through the telescope at the moon and planets. The class covers basics about the earth, moon, planets and stars. Instruction is given in using binoculars and the telescope. Following the workshop we'll go outside to view the stars. How To Use Your Telescope Would you like to get the most out of your telescope? Then bring it to the Placer Nature Center and learn how to use it. This class is also designed for those wanting to know more about buying a telescope. Telescope basics are discussed, followed by personal instruction for using one. Following the workshop we put our telescopes to use. Bring a telescope and spare parts, a warm coat and a flashlight. Don Machholz (530) 346-8963 |