Sunday Afternoons Summer 2010

Time: 2:30 - 4:00 pm

Dates :

23 May

27 June

25 July

29 August

19 September

Summer and Fall Observatory Tours

Free observatory tour at the Oliver Observing Station - See MIRA's 36-inch professional research telescope, learn some of the unique history that led to MIRA and the Oliver Observing Station (now in its 25th year), and discover how our mountaintop scientific research runs on solar and wind power and collected rainwater.

Voted the best place to watch the stars in Monterey County, the Oliver Observing Station on Chews Ridge is actually one of the best places in the continental U.S. for optical astronomy. High in the Santa Lucia Mountains, an afternoon on Chews Ridge also provides excellent views of the Ventana Wilderness, the Salinas Valley, the Monterey Peninsula , and, on a clear day, the Sierra Nevada.

Tassajara Road in Carmel Valley. Space is limited so reservations for these free events are required. Please call 883-1000 to make reservations and get directions.

Friday March 5 , 2010.

Time: 7:00pm-9:00

The Lyceum, Monterey

_______

Friday March 12

Time: 7:00pm- 9:00

MIRA Astronomy Center, Marina

Lyceum Classes

for Families/ grade 1 and up. Fee $5.00

Black Holes, Time Warps, Dark Matter, and Other Galactic Anomalies

Donna Dulo from NASA Ames and MIRA will discuss the many strange objects in the Universe that defy the traditional laws of physics, including black holes, time warps, worm holes, dark matter, and many others. She will provide current research and photographic evidence to demonstrate the existence or possible existence of these objects as well as several multimedia presentations and videos. Official NASA and MIRA materials will be distributed to students.

Introduction to Radio Astronomy

Donna Dulo from NASA Ames and MIRA will discuss the many strange objects in the Universe and demonstrate how radio astronomy and visual astronomy work together to study these objects. Ms. Dulo will provide current research and photographic/radio evidence to demonstrate the possible existence of these objects through multi-media presentations, radio astronomy sound samples, visual images, and videos. Official NASA Aplle Valley Radio Telescope and MIRA materials will be distributed to students.

Garland Park, Carmel Valley Rd

TBD

Sunset - ??

Winter Star Parties at Garland Park

Join MIRA Docents as they show off the wonders of planets and the deep spring sky at the Monterey County Regional Garland Park with telescopes, laser pointers, and a wealth of knowledge about our Monterey skies.

Stop by and enjoy the skies. This event is free.

Summer

MIRA Summer Intern Program

MIRA accepts three to four students for an summer intern program in astronomy. Students work on a one-on-one basis with professional astronomers on current research topics such as star formation, gravitational lenses, small solar system bodies, and instrumentation. While most work is at the Marina campus, observing trips to the Oliver Observing Station are part of the program.

Interns are advanced high school students and college students; applications are accepted in March and April but available positions are filled as students are accepted. Call at 883-1000 or e-mail mira at mira dot org for more information.

The high school Student Intern Program is supported in part by the the William McCaskey Chapman & Adaline Dinsmore Chapman Foundation and the Friends of MIRA.

Saturday, 19 March

2010

6:30-8:30pm

Garland Ranch Regional Park

The Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy offers a Class in Monterey Skies:

Astronomical Adventures

MIRA docent Dr. Jim Eagle will provide an evening guide to the constellations. Beyond the famous and not-so-famous winter constellations, he will point out the biggest stars, red giant and yellow dwarf stars, and other secrets of the brilliant summer night skies. Saturday, 19 March, 2010.

These programs are offered through the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. For ages 8 and up $10; 7 and under: free. For information www.mprpd.org or 372-3196 or contact MIRA.