Astronomy, Stargazing & Telescopes!
Astronomy & Stargazing | Telescope Class | Dates, Tickets & Registration
Star Gazing
Do you have an interest in astronomy? This class will help satisfy that desire to know more about the heavens and show you how to see objects with a telescope. The class covers information about the earth, moon, planets and stars - from making a scale model of our system to understanding the difference between stars.
Instruction is given in viewing the night sky using binoculars and telescopes. Following the workshop, we'll go outside to view the stars. Basics are given on how to use a telescope and binoculars to see planets and stars.
(For a more advanced instruction like setting up your telescope and learning about its pieces please attend the Telescope Class - or better yet, attend both!)
Colfax astronomer Don Machholz, author and premier comet-hunter, will weave tales of the galaxies and explore the night sky with his telescopes. An American amateur astronomer from Colfax, California, he is the most successful living visual comet hunter in the United States, being credited with the discovery of 11 comets, including the periodic comets 96P/Machholz, 141P/Machholz, the non-periodic C/2004 Q2 (Machholz) that was easily visible in binoculars in the northern sky in 2004 and 2005, and most recently, C/2010 F4 (Machholz).
"I continue to enjoy searching for comets and hope to do so for as long as I can. I have no idea how many comets will come my way. If none do, I will still enjoy searching for them. Life, including my comet work, has been good to me and no one is more thankful for that than me."
Machholz is also considered to be one of the inventors of the Messier marathon, which is a race to observe all the Messier objects in a single night.
Each Astronomy & Stargazing class at Placer Nature Center varies as to what heavenly bodies you will see! Admission is $7 per person. Will be cancelled if raining or if you can not see the stars.
What to Bring to the Class:
- Warm coat
- Flash light (It's really, really dark! Perfect for seeing stars!)
- Cash (we can't take cards at the center) or a copy of your prepurchased ticket
Astronomy & Stargazing | Telescope Class | Dates, Tickets & Registration | Back to Top
Telescope Workshop - Learn how to use it!
Have a telescope hidden away in the closet or just received one as a gift? Now you can learn how to use it!
Or maybe you are you looking to buy one?
Come to the annual telescope workshop - bring along your telescope (if you have one) - and learn from Colfax astronomer Don Machholz, author and comet-hunter!
Learn more about Don's discoveries!
Basic telescope use is discussed, followed by personal, one-on-one instruction with Don. Following the workshop - you get to put the telescopes to use and search the night sky!
Don also provides take-home information to help you remember what you learned in class along with the current night's star chart. Tickets are $15 per person.
What to Bring to the Workshop:
- Telescope* and spare parts (*if you have one! There will be loaners available)
- Warm coat
- Flash light (It's really, really dark! Perfect for seeing stars!)
- Cash (we can't take cards at the center) or a copy of your prepurchased ticket
Astronomy & Stargazing | Telescope Class | Dates, Tickets & Registration | Back to Top
Dates, Tickets & Registration
| Class | Date | Time | Fee |
Members |
| Astronomy & Stargazing - FULL* | February 4 | 5:30PM-7:30PM | $7 |
Free |
| Telescope Class | April 7 | 6:00PM-9:00PM | $15 |
$9 |
| Astronomy & Stargazing | April 28 | 7:30PM-9:30PM | $7 |
Free |
| Astronomy & Stargazing | July 28 | 8:00PM-10:00PM | $7 |
Free |
| Astronomy & Stargazing | September 22 | 6:30PM-8:30PM | $7 |
Free |
* FULL classes - Please do not show up without registering, if you are unalbe to register for a class it is because it is full. There are a limited number of telescopes and we want to make sure everyone has enought time to see the stars!
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