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4th Annual
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| Presented by the Town of Yucca Valley, California, the Western Region of the Astronomical League (WRAL), and the International Dark Skies Association. |  |
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What began just a few years ago as a local amateur astronomer weekend conference has grown to an international star-gazing festival proudly hosted by the Town of Yucca Valley. Astronomers, both amateur and professional, converge on this scenic town located in the higher elevations of Southern California's Mojave Desert to observe the millions of stars visible in the clear desert sky. The moon will not rise until early morning, creating a very dark night sky for optimum viewing of Jupiter and Saturn. The Andromeda Galaxy and the Ring Nebula will also be visible. The public is invited to
take part
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The Fourth Annual Starry Nights Festival, SNF 2000, will be held October 20-22, 2000. As in previous years, this year's Starry Nights Festival will be held in Yucca Valley, California, and most events will be at the Yucca Valley community center.
David Levy and Carolyn Shoemaker will be the main guest speakers. In addition to other speakers and events, there will be a meeting of the Western Region of the Astronomical League on Saturday, an IDA session on dark skies on Friday afternoon, and dark sky observing programs both Friday and Saturday nights.
For additional information, those interested in attending should contact Frank Sheckler or Rae Packard in Yucca Valley at (760) 369-7212.
If you haven't done so, please make your hotel reservations ASAP.
I understand that hotels may be filling up already. Many of the SNF attendees have stayed at the Yucca Inn in the past, and you can call them at
760-365-331. If they are filled up, Rae can give you phone numbers to other hotels.
SNF Registration is:
See you there!
Clear skies,
Wayne (aka Mr. Galaxy) Johnson
WRAL Chairman
mrgalaxy@juno.com
12 p.m. Welcome and Opening Presentations
1 p.m. Keynote Address: History of Astronomy by Ashley McDermott
2 p.m. Meteor Hunting by Gary Palmer
3 p.m. The History of Giant Rock and the Integretron by Joanne Karl,
4 p.m. Native American Astronomy by Dicken Everson
The following track is hosted by the International Dark Sky Association California Meeting concurrently in a separate room at the Community Center:
2:30 - 5 p.m. Protecting the Nighttime Environment by Bob Gent
California IDA Update by Jack Sales
Morongo Basin's Dark Sky Policies by Shane Stueckle, M.J. Dube,
Katie Hazeltine, and Jim Squire
Quality Lighting from Down Under by Tim Hunter
5 - 7 p.m. Welcoming Reception with music by Condor presented by the Hi-Desert Nature Museum Association
7 - 9:45 p.m. Night Sky Observing at Machris Park, Basic Stargazing by Sam Davidson (Free shuttle available from Hi-Desert Nature Museum to Machris Park)
7:30 a.m. Starry Nights 5K Run
7 - 10 a.m. Starry Nights Festival Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Hearts of Yucca Valley and cooking by the Yucca Valley Fire Department
11 - 12 noon Western Region of the Astronomical League Annual Meeting with raffle drawing for Meade telescope
12 - 1 p.m. Searching for SNe in the Sky and on the Web by Wayne Johnson
1 - 2 p.m. Photographing the Night Skies by Wally Pacholka
2 - 3 p.m. Cassini Mission to Saturn by Steve Edberg
3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Keynote Address: Comet Shoemaker/Levy Meets Jupiter! by Carolyn Shoemaker and David Levy with panel discussion beginning at 4:30 p.m.
7 - 9:45 p.m. Indoor Stargazing at the Joshua Springs Calvery Chapel Observatory by Dr.Eastman
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Star Lab Tours, Rockets, Face-Painting, Native American Star Tales, Batty About Bats
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Please call The Town of Yucca Valley's Community Services Department (760) 369-7211 for Registration information |
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For additional information about the Western Region of the Astronomical League or the Starry Nights Festival, contact Wayne Johnson, SNF Co-chair, on e-mail at mrgalaxy@juno.com |
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