Sunday Afternoons Summer 2009

Time: 2:30 - 4:00 pm

Dates : 7 June,

19 July,

9 August,

13 September

2009 TBD

Los Padres National Forest is now open after the Basin Complex Fire of last year.

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.

Garland Park, Carmel Valley Rd

6 March, 2009 ;

3 April, 2009

Sunset - ??

Spring 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.

July 12 - 23, 2009

MIRA Goes to China (and Tibet!)

Two great cultures came to dominate opposite hemispheres of the earth.  In their formative stages, they neither knew nor cared about the other.  Their fundamental and surprising differences provide for all of us a window into those characteristics of a culture which are innate and which are idiosyncratic.

Now we have the perfect reason to compare these cultures in person: an extremely long solar eclipse at 1:38pm on 22 July, 2009, that passes over the city of Suzhou, a center of Chinese culture 2500 years ago.  MIRA will join an 11-day tour of China led by Dr. Doug Duncan who led the successful Mediterranean cruise, which MIRA joined, to the eclipse of March 2006.  Once again, Doug has done his homework, traveling the route with “A Bridge to China”, visiting each of the 5-star hotels.

A special feature of this tour is the visit with a private family.  Doug said that his interchange was frank and seemed uncensored.  If I could ask three frank questions of a Chinese family, what would they be?

We’ve enclosed Dr. Duncan’s description of the China Eclipse Tour, including the optional extension to Tibet.

We will have two meetings with Friends of MIRA participants to prepare them to take maximum advantage of the astronomical side of the trip.  The first will cover all the aspects of this and every solar eclipse.  The second, shortly before the departure date, will cover all the last minute questions, practical hints on how best to observe the spectacle, and the latest details on the tour.  Of course, all participants will receive a MIRA T-shirt to sport on the trip.

Request the flyer from MIRA with full trip details and instructions on how to make your reservations with the travel agency, A Bridge to China.  Be sure to tell them you’re with the Friends of MIRA group and call Tami at MIRA (831-883-1000) so we know who’s coming and who to notify about the preparatory meetings.  In addition, MIRA receives $150 for each participant!

A MIRA astronomer will accompany the tour (and he is really excited about it).  For many of us, it will be the trip of a lifetime.
                                                                                                           

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, 25 July

8:30-10:30pm

Garland Ranch Regional Park

Friday, 1 May

5:30-7:30pm

MIRA Richard Hamming Astronomy Center

The Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy offers two classes in Monterey Skies:

Exploring the Summer Sky

MIRA docent Dr. Jim Eagle will provide an evening guide to the constellations. Beyond the famous and not-so-famous summer constellations, he will point out the biggest stars, red giant and yellow dwarf stars, and other secrets of the brilliant summer night skies. Saturday, July 25, 2009

Recent Discoveries on Mars

MIRA Docent Brian Jacobson will discuss his favorite topic: Mars. Intensive studies by orbiting spacecraft and Mars landers have revealed a wealth of information on this most earth-like planet. With geology reminiscent of the water-formed surface of the earth, Mars is becoming more and more intriguing. Friday, May 1, 2009

These programs are offered through the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District for ages 8 and up (cost $10). For information www.mprpd.org or 372-3196 or contact MIRA.