Stars for Friends & Family!
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Star Gazing
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 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.
(For a more advanced instruction we suggest 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. Donald Machholz, born in 1952 in Portsmouth, Virginia, is 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 Star class at Placer Nature Center varies as to what heavenly bodies you will see! Admission is $6 per person, proceeds support environmental education programming at Placer Nature Center. Will be cancelled if raining or heavy clouds.
What to Bring to the Class:
- Telescope* (*if you have one! There will be loaners available. if you are looking to learn how to use a telescope please read about the Telescope class.)
- Warm coat
- Flash light (It's really, really dark! Perfect for seeing stars!)
Dates for 2010:
| Stars | Jul. 17, Saturday, 7:30pm-9:30pm | $6/person |
| Stars | Oct. 16, Saturday, 6pm-8pm | $6/person |
In case of cancellation due to weather, you will receive credit towards another program or class at Placer Nature Center.
Or click here to register and pay cash at the event!
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Star Gazing | Telescope Class
Telescope Workshop
Would you like to get the most out of your telescope?
Or 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!
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!)
The Telescope Class for 2010 has passed, if you are interested in learning about the next class be register here: