OUR EVENTS . . . YOU'RE INVITED!

From time to time the Colorado River Astronomy Club conducts special events, and invites the people of Blythe, the Palo Verde Valley, and even other astronomers from outside the area to share an evening of stargazing with us. The events are always free, however occasionally other clubs from Palo Verde College will offer snacks, coffee and soft drinks adjacent to our viewing site. We encourage you to watch this page for announcements of current and future events.

THE HORSEHEAD NEBULA

IN THE CONSTELLATION ORION (NASA PIX)

THE PERSEID METEOR SHOWER
SATURDAY 11 AUGUST, 2007
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CONCLUDED AND IS KEPT ON THIS WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

The club will gather on Saturday at 9:00pm, 11 August at the north end of the college's parking lot to observe this annual meteor shower. Palo Verde College has agreed to turn off the parking lot lights for the event. This will require no telescopes, just your naked eyes or perhaps a pair of binoculars are all that's necessary. Bring a lawn chair or chaise lounge, and be prepared for an exciting evening. The public is invited. As with all the club's activities there is no charge.

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ASTRONOMY DAY
SATURDAY MAY 19, 2007
THIS ACTIVITY HAS BEEN CONCLUDED, AND IS LEFT ON THE
WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

The Colorado River Astronomy Club will, again this year, celebrate Astronomy Day. Members and their telescopes will gather at the public library grounds. Several of our members have solar filters for their telescopes. and they anticipate being set up by 3:00pm. Drop by early for views of sunspots and prominences. As the evening progresses please stick around to observe nebulae, clusters, galaxies, double stars, planets, and much more. Best of all it's all free. That's right! There's no charge for any of the astronomical activities. There will be speakers that will guide you among the constellations, and reveal the mythologies behind them. It will be a great family evening, so bring the kids. Remember May 19 starting at 3:00pm. See you then.

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THIS EVENT IS COMPLETED AND IS KEPT ONE THIS PAGE FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

2007 STAR STARE

BIGGER AND BETTER AS ALWAYS
NOVEMBER 9-11, 2007

WE'VE PICKED A GREAT, NEW SITE

IT FEATURES:

*DARK, CLEAR SKIES*
*EASY ACCESS*
*PLENTY OF PARKING NOT VISIBLE FROM THE OBSERVING SITE*
*COLORADO RIVER WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE*

IT'S 24.5 MILES NORTH OF HOBSONWAY, BLYTHE'S MAIN STREET, ON US HWY 95. THE SITE'S EASY TO FIND. IT'S ONLY .6 MILES NORTH OF THE WATER WHEEL RESORT ON THE WEST SIDE OF HWY 95. WATCH FOR THE SIGNS.

FOR THOSE WITH GPS:

33° 31' 35" N
114° 39' 28" W

COMET HOLMES TAKEN AT OUR STAR STARE 2007

IMAGED BY DAVID POFAHL & HIS 6" STELLAR VUE APO

ONCE IN BLYTHE, HERE ARE SOME INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO FIND US.

Congratulations! You've made that long drive across the desert, and now you're finally approaching Blythe. There are two ways to get to the Star Stare 2007. Do you need supplies, a meal, fuel? Take the Lovekin Blvd. off ramp. The image below is what you'll see as you come off the I-10. As soon as you leave the freeway, you'll be surrounded by fast food outlets and service stations. Please click on the images to magnify them.

Stay on Lovekin Blvd to Hobsonway. Hobsonway is Blythe's main street. It'll be easy to spot. It's the first signal you'll come to, and Starbuck's is on the corner of Lovekin Blvd. and Hobsonway. Please turn right.

If you're looking for camping or any outdoor supplies, you'll be passing Yellow Mart on your right about a half mile east of Lovekin Blvd. They've got everything an outdoors person could want. Hobsonway will also take you past Blythe's three banks if you're looking for an ATM machine. If you need groceries, Albertson's will also be on the right. Follow Hobsonway to Intake Blvd. (US Hwy 95). The corner has the first stop sign since leaving Lovekin Blvd. about two miles ago. Turn left on Intake Blvd.

You can also take the Intake Blvd. I-10 off ramp north. Should you choose this option you'll find the above image is what you'll see. Intake Blvd. is also US Hwy 95, the highway that goes past the 2007 Star Stare. Just continue following it north.

Now that those using the Lovekin Blvd. off ramp are united with those using the Intake Blvd. off ramp and heading north, you'll pass through miles of lush green fields growing a variety of crops like those shown above.

Large attractive canals will glide past your vehicle's windows as you approach the perimeter of the Palo Verde Valley.

Shortly after leaving the Palo Verde Valley, still heading north, you'll pass the sign above indicating the turn off to the Palo Verde Irrigation District's Diversion Dam on the Colorado River. Continue north. You're doing fine.

The next landmark you'll encounter is the above sign on your left. It indicates the famous giant figures created on the desert floor by Native Americans hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of years ago are on your right a few hundred yards from the highway. Continue north.

You'll pass the Aha Quin Resort on your right. It's one of the many small resort communities along the west bank of the Colorado River north of Blythe. It's not far now. Just keep heading north.

Water Wheel Resort's sign is passed on your right. The Star Stare site is only .6 miles ahead on your left. Watch for a large berm. Parking, except for those using their vehicles for camping and observing support, is on the east side of the berm. Observing is on the west side. The Colorado River Astronomy Club's banner marks the parking lot. Port A Potties are next to the berm on the parking area. Welcome, and have a great weekend.

IF YOU'RE COMING FROM THE NORTH (LAS VEGAS. ETC.)

If you're coming to the Colorado River Astronomy Club's Star Stare 2007 from the north please take US Hwy 95 south from Needles, California. About fifty miles south of Needles you'll see our first landmark, Vidal Junction. There's a cafe and motel on your right, and a unique metal craft business on your left.

VIDAL JUNCTION

CAFE & MOTEL

VIDAL JUNCTION

CRAFT BUSINESS

Please continue south from Vidal Junction. DO NOT TURN. There is only one bridge crossing the Colorado River between Needles and Blythe. That river crossing is on Agnes Wilson Road. US Hwy 95 junctions with Agnes Wilson Road 12.2 miles south of Vidal Junction. Watch for a large sign (picture below)on your right. It assures your still on course. Continue South on US Hwy 95.

SIGN AT

US HWY 95 & AGNES WILSON ROAD

Please keep right on going on US Hwy 95 past the junction with Agnes Wilson Road. Lost Lake Resort is 2.4 miles south on your left. It's your next landmark. This is a large resort, and there is a convenience store located there. No fuel is available, however.

LOST LAKE

RESORT

Continuing on US Hwy 95 6.6 miles south of Lost Lake Resort you should see the Colorado River Astronomy Club Banner on your right. Congratulations! You've arrived.



It's our intention to put the banner out pretty early (circa 9:30 am), but if you don't see it, the port a potties will be readily visible. Please note that if you pass the Wagon Wheel Resort on your left, you've gone too far, and need to back haul about .6 miles.

PLEASE CLICK ON OUR CLUB'S BANNER

WHEN YOU SEE THIS BANNER YOU'VE ARRIVED AT THE SITE

STAR STARE 2007

PARKING AREA

STAR STARE 2007

OBSERVING AREA-MILES OF FLAT NOTHING

STAR STARE 2007

BERM SEPARATING PARKING AND OBSERVING AREAS

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO WATER OR POWER AT THE STAR STARE 2007 SITE. SOME OF THE SMALL RESORT COMMUNITIES, BETWEEN THE SITE AND BLYTHE, HAVE CONVENIENCE STORES. NONE HAVE VEHICLE FUEL. THE BLYTHE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL FURNISH PIZZAS ON SATURDAY EVENING. THEY WILL ALSO FURNISH PORT A POTTIES. THE COLORADO RIVER ASTRONOMY CLUB WILL FURNISH A HOT DOG, HAMBURGER BBQ FRIDAY EVENING, AND A SIMPLE BREAKFAST SATURDAY AND POSSIBLY SUNDAY MORNINGS. THERE ARE NO CHARGES FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE.

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