Free Star Parties: 2004-5

This is a partial list.  See http://www .geocities.com/ donmachholz/index.html

There is no charge for telescopic viewing.  Dress warm.  If the weather is poor the session is canceled.

Auburn Dam Overlook:  To get there, go to downtown Auburn, to the historic Courthouse.  One of the roads branching from there is Auburn-Folsom Rd.  Take that east to the third stoplight (about a mile).  This is Pacific Avenue.  Turn left.  Go about 0.7 mile to the Auburn Dam Overlook (and skate park), which is on your right.  We set up at the far (east) end of the parking lot.
Colfax: We meet at the end of Whitcomb Rd., go on the side road past Taco Bell and park at GKM.
Cool: Behind the Northside Fire Station at the trailhead parking lot.
Dutch Flat: Take the Dutch Flat exit from Hwy 80 and head into Dutch Flat (three miles).  We set up  0.3 miles behind the post office.
Foresthill: Next to the new high school, by the new community center and Sci Tech.  See the web site.
Iowa Hill: To get there take Iowa Hill Road eastward from Colfax.  Go 7 miles (25 minutes) through the American River Canyon and up to Iowa Hill.  Exact location not yet determined.
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 usually set up by the tennis courts.
Nevada City, the Old Nevada County Airport: This is the abandoned airport north of Nevada City, not the one on Loma Rica Road.  To get there take Hwy 49/20 north past Grass Valley and Nevada City.  At this point Hwy 49 splits off to the left.  Take it.  Go 0.35 miles to North Bloomfield Rd.  Go right here.  Go uphill on this winding road for 0.8 miles to the “T” in the road.  Go left here onto Lake Vera/Purdon Rd.  Go 100 yards then take another left onto Airport Rd.  Go up this road for 0.5 miles to a small dirt road on your left taking you to the airstrip.  Park toward the left.
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 is 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.

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, and turn left.  Plenty of signs.
The Stars for Families: Does your child have an interest in astronomy?  Many children do.  This class will help satisfy that early 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