Star Parties are always on saturday night and usually the Saturday closest to the new moon. When the new moon is in the middle of the week, well then check the calendar.
Although Astronomy is my obsession, several years ago I was forced to buy a real Obsession
Get a map of this month's night sky for free! It includes locations of the visible planets.
StarDate is the public education and outreach arm of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory.
The German Space Operations Centre (GSOC), which is part of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), maintains a cool Web site that generate visibility predictions for the Iridium and other visible satellites for any location on the Earth. Typically the solar panels reflect the sunlight to create a bright flash at special times that can be accurately predicted.
Abrams Planetarium produces a calendar of events in a very readable and accessible form. Ideal for printing and positing on your refrigerator.
A great observatory in our backyard! and has visiting hours too. SDSU also has a planetarium but I can't find a link to it.
A place to pick up teaching aids and books. ASP sells the Polomar Sky Survery Photograhpic atlas - a must for the really serious observers.
This is about as friendly as this observatory gets to visitors.
A local club that has an observing site near the Mexican border in Tierra del sol. Great place to observe from except they have big problems from local rancher's mercury lights blaring in the sky nearby.
Amateur telescope making is alive and doing well in San diego. Roger Herzler coordinates the ATM activity in conjunction with the SDAA.
Sorry to say that they are slipping further away from astronomy.
Really the only place in San Diego to buy astronomy equipment. But beware they like Meade telescopes alot, really a lot
University California San Diego (UCSD) Planetarium
Has one of the best astrophysics departments in country. They are the ones who run the Keck telescope in Hawaii.
Palomar College Observatory
Offers introductory astronomy classes for enjoyment and has several observatories on their roof top and a planetarium.
One of two planetariums in San Diego County. They offer shows for elementary and secondary school classes for $2-$3 per person.
Big Bear Observatory
If you're ever been to Big Bear for skiing and wondering what that white building was sitting in the middle of the lake - now you know - the BBSO. Catch up to date pictures of the sun. Big Bear is owned and operated by the New Jersey Institute of Technology. They do offer tours if you prearrange them.
The RTMC happens once a year and is a must for local astronomy enthusiasts.
Mount Wilson
Featuring a great drive to the 5700' summit, sits the infamous 100" Hooker telescope. Although not exactly San Diego County, Mount Wilson is a short drive that can make an excelent family outing.
Pomona College 1-meter Telescope
Pomona College operates the Brackett Observatory in Claremont, and the Claremont College 1.0 meter telescope at JPL's Table Mountain Observatory in Wrightwood.
Come here to catch links to all the related news in and around JPL. Located in Pasadena
Griffith Observatory
Located in Griffith Park on "hollywood" mountain, this observatory has been the location of innumerable hollywood movies (Dragnet, Senders, Roger Rabbit (the tunnel to tune town) etc). If you ever wanted to learn how to identify a meteorite, they have a great exhibit of "MeteroRites" and "MeteorWrongs". Excellent planetarium and exhibits.
Revised: 24-Oct-2004 Want to add links that I missed or comment on? Please limit to sourthern california links. Send comments to Jim LawlerAstronomical League
The Astronomical League is a collection of amateur astronomy groups around the United States. They have produced the Herschell 400 and the Urban Catalog for dedicated amateurs and have excellent observing tips and techniques.