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

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.

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.

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 past two lights (about a mile). When you get to Race Track St., get into the left lane that continues straight because after crossing that street you'll take a left turn into Sacramento St., running almost parallel to the street you were on. Then go 0.3 miles. After crossing the RR tracks, turn left onto Pacific. Go about 0.7 mile to the Auburn Dam Overlook, which is on your right. We set up at the far (east) end of the parking lot.

The Colfax Chamber of Commerce (railroad car) is at the intersection of Grass Valley St. and Railroad Ave, across from the Colfax Amtrak station, in downtown Colfax.

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 Children (Astronomy for Kids from ages 6 to 16)

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.

This basic workshop consists of discussion and demonstration of the universe. We begin with the nature of light, and then take off through the solar system to the stars and galaxies. Lunar phases and eclipses are described, as are the nightly motions of the sky and the constellations. We'll then use a few telescopes and binoculars to view the starry sky.

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