Reach for the stars at astronomy party – Moorpark Acorn

The Moorpark College Astronomy faculty and Ventura County Astronomical Society will present the summers final Star Party at 6:30 p.m. Sat., Sept. 17 at the Moorpark College Observatory, 7075 Campus Road.

Guest speaker Kevin McKeegan will provide a short lecture on meteorites. He is a professor of geochemistry and cosmochemistry in UCLAs Department of Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences, where he served as chair from 2012-16.

McKeegan earned a Bachelor of Science from St. Lawrence University and his doctorate from Washington University of St. Louis.

Moorpark College Astronomy Professor Hal Jandorf will provide a walk-through of the summer stars, constellations, planets and other objects in the evening sky at 7:30 p.m.

Saturn, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies will be visible through the telescopes set up by the VCAS. Attendees can also take a trip through the observation dome.

Star parties are always special because the community can learn about the night sky, learn the constellations, look through dozens of powerful telescopes and learn more about the universe. Wait until you see Saturn for the first time. Its not a photo in a book or on a computer monitor, Jandorf said.

The event is free for all ages and recommended for ages 6 and up. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Attendees should bring cushions for the concrete seating, a light jacket and binoculars. Leave pets at home.

This years series of star parties have drawn 250 to 300 people at each event.

The observatory enables students to participate in courses and labs and allows the college to share the experience with the community, said Debi Klein, chief development officer of the Moorpark College Foundation, which has sponsored the observatory and astronomy programs for more than 30 years.

While this is the last event of the year at the observatory, Molly Shelton, a power systems engineer at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, will speak at 7 p.m., Frid., Oct. 21, at the Moorpark College Forum in the Applied Arts Building.

The Astronomy Department, VCAS and the Moorpark College Foundation will coordinate the event.

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Reach for the stars at astronomy party - Moorpark Acorn