Galaxy, Nebula & Star Cluster Viewing

I volunteer at a non profit called Bay Area Older Adults which conducts informative, stimulating and interesting workshops, lectures and fun activities for older adults in the Bay Area. I recently attended one such event which was open to volunteers and absolutely loved it. It was Galaxy, Nebula and Star Viewing. 

16 inch telescope-Foothill College Observatory

At 5.30pm, we gathered at the Foothill College Observatory located in Los Altos. The observatory has a semicircular dome and a 16 inch computer-controlled solar telescope. 

Foothill College Observatory dome

Telescope

Our host for the day was Rick Baldridge, a senior engineer who works for companies that design and build satellites and spacecraft systems. He is also a member of the Peninsula Astronomical Society. He enthusiastically shared very interesting information about the galaxies, stars and space in general. 

Rick showing views on the computer

We watched the planets Mercury, Uranus, Neptune and Jupiter. We also saw the double star Epsilon Aries, the Orion nebula, the Crab nebula and the Alcyone star from the Pleiades open cluster. Most of these celestial bodies appeared as tiny shining dots in the space. It was amazing to note that these objects which I was viewing were located hundred and thousands of light years away. Since this was my first experience, I was overwhelmed and intrigued by the technology and information that we have about space. There are similar sessions conducted every Friday and Saturday which are free and open to the public. It is a humbling and informative session and I highly recommend it.

What: Galaxy, Nebula and Star Viewing
Where: 12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
When: Friday 9pm-11pm and Saturday 10am-noon
Cost: Free

(P.S. Apologies for the poor picture quality. They were clicked on my cell phone in the dark.)