The page you are viewing is taken from an exhibit called MIRA: Exploring the Universe from the Central Coast.
The exhibit ran from 1 July through 24 September 2000 at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

MIRA’s charter is to perform "research and education in astronomy." About half of our resources go to education programs in astronomy that span all ages.

Students from Seaside High School learn about alternative energy while assembling the MIRA passive-tracking solar panels at the Oliver Observing Station. (Photo courtesy of Bruce Weaver)

Free Public Lecture Program
The longest-continuing MIRA education program, it has served over 20,000 attendees over a quarter-century run. Four times a year, MIRA brings leading astronomers from the world’s famous observatories to report on the latest developments in our quest to understand the Universe. The premier lecture is the Chesley Bonestell Lecture, named in honor of Carmel’s famous space artist.

Check out our events page to learn about upcoming lectures, star parties, and other programs.

Field Trips to the Stars Program on the World Wide Web
Designed to eventually reach students of all ages, this program, at www.mira.org, will enable MIRA astronomers and researchers to reach hundreds of thousands of visitors interested in astronomy.

Monthly Summer Tours of the Oliver Observing Station on Chews Ridge
These daytime tours are free to the public and provide beautiful views of the Los Padres National Forest as well as a peek into the research activities of MIRA astronomers.

Check out our events page to learn about upcoming tours.

Outreach Programs
Presented in 1985 through 1987 for all Monterey County 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th graders on Halley’s Comet, Our Sun, and Mission to Mars. This program, which included teacher training and classroom visits, reached over 10,000 students in the County.

Programs upon Request
MIRA astronomers and docents visit schools, service clubs, retirement communities, and Scout camps. With the recent addition of the Richard W. Hamming Astronomy Center and the Weaver Student Observatory, many of these special talks now can occur at our facilities.

Space Art Shows
Exhibitors have included national and international space artists. The most recent show featured art and talks by Russian cosmonauts.




At left: the first man to walk in space, Alexi Leonov, shares his joy of painting space art with 4th graders at a MIRA space art show. (Photo courtesy of Monterey County Herald)

Community Star Parties
Held by the MIRA amateurs at local parks, cities, and churches, these events permit easy access for the public to view the heavens through a variety of telescopes and talk with committed amateurs about the beauty of our night skies. Recently, we’ve added monthly viewing through the 14-inch computer-controlled telescope at the Weaver Student Observatory.

Check out our events page to learn about upcoming star parties.

College Classes
MIRA staff regularly teach at local community colleges and at CSUMB.

These free public education programs are made possible through the time, efforts, and donations of the Friends of MIRA and the MIRA staff. If you’d like to help, please contact us.

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mira@mira.org
©  2000 MIRA