If you want to watch the solar eclipse next week, the Orange Coast College Planetarium in nearby Costa Mesa might be your best bet.
An observation evening will take place Monday April 8, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The eclipse will be at its maximum around 11:12 a.m.
Southern California won’t be in the path of the total eclipse, but it will still be an experience: The Moon will cover about 57 percent of the diameter of the sun.
Solar telescopes will be available at the planetarium to safely view the eclipse, and eclipse glasses will be available for purchase. During a solar eclipse, looking directly at the sun without eye protection designed for solar viewing is not safe.
A team of astronomy professors and students will answer questions. There will be several screenings of an abridged version of the film “Totality! and the Orange Coast College Chamber Singers will perform at 12:15 p.m. Admission and parking for the event are free.
Even if you don’t attend the screening party, the planetarium is well worth a visit at another time. Observing the night sky can be a morning or afternoon activity.
A recent field trip sponsored by the Laguna Woods Astronomy Club introduced members to this fabulous facility located on a local college campus.
The approach to the modern building is nicely landscaped with desert plantings. Inside is a spacious and bright exhibition area with exhibits on meteorites and asteroids,
Before visiting the exhibits, you can view the 220-pound Foucault Pendulum, which proves the concept of the reality of the Earth’s rotation, as it swings back and forth, knocking over metal pins as it crosses the hours of a day on Earth. .
A “Science on a Sphere” balloon also hangs in the lobby, showing projections of weather events, continental geography and environmental characteristics of the balloon we live on as it spins through space .
Inside the cozy and welcoming 124-seat planetarium theater, a visual feast awaits, no matter which of the myriad shows you’ve come to see. Our group was treated to “Explore!”, which began with astronomer Carl Sagan’s philosophical and thought-provoking words from his book “Pale Blue Dot” about man’s very small place in the vastness of the cosmos.
A history of the science of astronomy, featuring stars such as Galileo, Copernicus and Kepler, followed, along with a detailed rendering of the constellations of the night sky. I particularly enjoyed these visuals because I always have a hard time imagining how the stars align in the fanciful, painterly constellations of mythology and lore.
I have visited several planetariums, including the famous Hayden Planetarium in New York and a small one in Tromso, Norway, during a recent Northern Lights expedition, and I can honestly say that the show at Orange Coast College was the one of the best. I saw.
The explanations from the student volunteers who work in the establishment, before and after the presentation, allowed us to be better informed. A variety of star films are shown in turn in the domed theater, which resembles an Imax in its curvature and viewing range.
The shoppers among us (not to mention who!) had fun browsing the many sky-themed items in the gift shop that would appeal to young and old.
The original planetarium building from 1959 was designed by famed architect Richard Neutra and included a 24-foot dome, a 50-seat theater, and a Spitz projector, which was replaced with a modern Viewlex Apollo star projector in 1979 This was donated to an establishment. in Big Bear in 2017, when an even newer building became possible through state grants and private donations.
The new incarnation features a 70-foot-tall dome with a spiral galaxy shape mirroring the shape of the Milky Way. The state-of-the-art facility opened in 2019 and continues to be operated by a team of skilled students. Shows come from a variety of planetarium venues and suppliers.
Astronomy Club members Jim and Pat Buckley enjoyed studying the asteroid exhibit before the dome exhibit began.
“Revisiting what I forgot about astronomy” was Jim’s draw, while Pat agreed that “the facts will be good for ‘Jeopardy’.”
Marie Ingoglia judged the show “excellent. I loved seeing the sky and the constellation display was beautiful.
Club president Joe Camera also enjoyed the show.
“I was captivated from the beginning by Carl Sagan’s words,” he said.
Tickets for planetarium shows are $8 for seniors. In addition to a wide variety of dome shows, the property hosts a lecture series at 7 p.m. on the last Friday of each month, for which reservations are required due to their popularity.
For more information and a complete schedule of upcoming and current events, visit the college’s website at orangecoastcollege.edu.
Viewing Party for Laguna Woods Residents
The Astronomy Club is offering residents a fun opportunity to participate in an evening solar eclipse viewing event on Monday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Club members will gather in the courtyard between buildings 2404 and 2405, next to Clubhouse 4.
In Laguna Woods, a partial eclipse should be visible, weather permitting. The moon will pass in front of the sun and cover about 50% of it just after 11 a.m.
Eclipse glasses will be available to view the event safely, as well as the club’s brand new digital telescope. Additionally, light snacks and drinks will be offered.
The festival is open free to all residents. For questions, call Joe Camera at 805-588-0163.
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