The Friends of MIRA

MIRA: Exploring the Universe
from the Central Coast

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.

The Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy is the only independent professional observatory founded in the 20^th century. It operates without university or government support. How are its research and education programs funded? About two-thirds of MIRA’s funding comes from grants and a modest endowment; the rest, from the Friends of MIRA.

	Left: members of the 1998 Friends of MIRA cruise celebrate the successful viewing of the February total solar eclipse.

Founding Ansel Adams hosted the founding meeting of the Friends of MIRA at his home on 15 September 1978. His father, Charles Hitchcock Adams, had been a significant force in the development of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. From that auspicious start, the support of the Friends has been an essential part of making MIRA activities possible. Since governments and foundations typically support only conservative programs, the Friends’ support makes the initial development of unusual or innovative research or education programs possible. The new MIRA infrared stellar classification system and Field Trips to the Stars are two examples that were possible through the support of the Friends. We hope you will join the Friends of MIRA. Members receive our quarterly newsletter, bringing them up to date on the most exciting aspects of astronomy on the Central Coast and the world. Members also receive personal invitations to all MIRA lectures and events.

	Dr. Jill Tartar of the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI) describes the latest attempts to make what might become one of the greatest discoveries in history.

Most importantly, as a Friend, you’ll support the kinds of research and education programs displayed at this exhibit.

	Only the Friends have opportunities each year to view the heavens through the MIRA 36-inch telescope at one of the best optical astronomy sites in the U.S. Left: Friends prepare for an evening of observing at MIRA's Oliver Observing Station. Observing with the MIRA 36-inch telescope, equipped with some of the most accurate optics ever constructed, is one of the exclusive privileges of the Friends of MIRA.

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*mira@mira.org* © 2000 MIRA
Last updated February 22, 2001 by et.