Starry Nights Star Party

NOTE: Due to a scheduling conflict, this month's Starry Nights event will be held on a Friday night instead of a Saturday.

The San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) is proud to work with the Open Space Authority (OSA) to co-host a public star party at Rancho Canada del Oro (RCDO). This site is just 30 minutes south of downtown San Jose and features dark skies. It's dark enough to see the band of our Milky Way galaxy in the summer.

Do not bring your own telescope (binoculars are welcomed, but please no tripods). SJAA club members will set up their telescopes to help star party guests get the most knowledge and enjoyment out of the dark Starry Night sky.

In addition to traditional telescopes, the SJAA is excited to incorporate Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) into the Starry Nights Program. We will be using an automated telescope with a camera-like sensor to show live images on an iPad.

There will be a short introductory talk prior to viewing through telescopes. An SJAA astronomer will provide a brief tour of the current night sky as well as an overview of some of the nighttime objects that will be viewed through telescopes.

No flash photography or imaging. The OSA is making RCDO available for visual observing only. There are separate SJAA-sponsored astro-imaging events (see http://www.Meetup.com/SJ-astronomy).

· This is a family friendly event, and although younger children are welcome, this activity is best suited for children aged 5 years and older.

· No touching the telescopes or eyepieces. (Maybe a focus knob, if instructed by the astronomer. It’s OK to ask).

· Dress in warm layers (it gets cold at night).

· Flashlights: To help preserve everyone's night vision, if you bring a dim white flashlight, be sure to have it wrapped in red plastic, or get it wrapped at the sign-in desk.

· Registration for this event has a limit of ~60 people.

· If you cannot attend this event, kindly remove your reservation, so that those on the waiting list can fill open spots.

· If you are wait listed, please check closer to the event start time to see whether you managed to get a slot that opened up.

· Rain, heavy clouds, or thick smoke will result in cancellation of the event.

· Please check this page prior to heading to the event for latest information, such as late changes due to weather.

· No smoking and no pets.

THIS ACTIVITY REQUIRES REGISTRATION.

Arrive no later than 1 hour prior to ending time as the gates may be closed to allow staff to prepare to wrap up the session. Please sign in at the OSA's front table and let them know you are here.

Only those registered will be allowed entry. Each entry registration is for one car. For example, if you have four people in a car, just one registration is required for your group.