Free Star Parties: 2008

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 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.

American River Canyon Overlook = Auburn Dam Overlook
	Also known as the 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 east to the third stoplight (about a mile).  This is Pacific Avenue.  Turn left.  Go about 0.8 miles to the American River Canyon Overlook, which is on your right.  We set up at the far (east) end of the parking lot.

Sugar Pine Reservoir Boat Launch Parking Lot
Take Interstate 80 to the Foresthill Road Exit in Auburn.  Go right (east) at the end of the offramp.  Go east 18 miles (about 25 minutes) on Foresthill Road to the town of Foresthill.  Continue 9.0 miles to the Sugar Pine Reservoir exit on your left.  Follow that for 5.7 miles (10 minutes) to the Boat Launch parking lot, which will be on your right.  Enter the area and go right into the large (lower) parking lot.  This is it.  There are two adjacent parking lots.  The telescopes will be set up on the upper lot, near the far (north) end.  Guests park in lower lot.

Placer Nature Center Classes (PNC)

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
Do 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