The weather finally cooperated long enough for MIRA to hold a public star party at the Weaver Student Observatory on February 23. About 50 very appreciative members of the public turned out to view such sights as the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Orion Nebula through MIRA's 14-inch computer-controlled telescope and the instruments brought by several amateur astronomers from the MIRA Observers Group.
Tim Sashegyi at the WSO star party in February with his 8-inch Dobsonian and an obviously enthusiastic young attendee. Tim's telescope was constructed by the MIRA Observers Group telescope making workshop which meets at MIRA headquarters on Tuesdays. For more information about this group of telescope makers, email Paul Franks: ileenepaul@earthlink.net.
Also in February, three members of the MIRA Observers Group (Jim Bartolini, Tom Lougheed, and Jim Mackenzie) held a star party in Watsonville at MacQuiddy Elementary School. They report that the students and their families, who numbered as high as 300, showed great enthusiasm and kept the event going well past the advertised ending time.
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Volunteer Opportunities at MIRA If the activities reported on this page have whetted your appetite for involvement in MIRA's mission, be assured that there are many opportunities for volunteer work at MIRA. Knowledge of astronomy is not required, and we have volunteers ranging in age from high school students to retirees. Call or email Annette Breedlove (883-1000, ab@mira.org) or send email to mira@mira.org to see where you might fit in. The sky's the limit! |
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Last updated 12/14/02 DMC