Meteor Shower Party at the Death Valley Stargazing Camp
The Death Valley Stargazing Camp lies under very dark skies
The Eastern Sierra Observatory is headed down to the Death Valley Stargazing Camp to host the Quadrantids Meteor Shower Party on January 3rd and 4th, 2020. The Quadrantids is a lively shower producing up to 40 meteors per hour, and will be peaking in the early morning hours of January 4th. The first quarter moon will be perfect for viewing just before it sets to allow for dark skies during the peak of the shower. The Death Valley Stargazing Camp is located just west of the park boundary in adjacent Panamint Valley. It features 80 acres of private, pristine desert land with access from a county maintained road which any vehicle can travel.
In addition to naked eye viewing of the meteor shower, there will also be a huge 14” Meade LX850 telescope on hand to peer deeper into the cosmos, and view objects such as the famous Orion Nebula. We are also very pleased to announce that Professor of Astronomy Jessica Werk from the University of Washington will be onsite to provide a lecture each night. Professor Werk is a frequent user of the Hubble Space Telescope, as well as several state-of-the-art ground instruments such as the Keck and Gemini telescopes. She is an expert in optical and UV spectroscopy of galaxies, HII regions, quasars, and stars.
Viewing the Orion Nebula from the 14” Meade LX850 is a real treat
The Eastern Sierra Observatory is sponsored in part by Meade Instruments and SHIFTPOD, and both will have an impact at this event as furnished SHIFTPODs are available for those who don’t want to bring their own camping gear. Even if you don’t stay in a SHIFTPOD, you’ll still be able to see these awesome shelters in person as all three will be on hand — the SHIFTPOD mini, SHIFTPOD2, and brand new SHIFTPODXL. Meade will be donating some cool astronomy gear to be given away as well!
Check out a SHIFTPOD or stay in one
The Death Valley Stargazing Camp is located about 3.5 miles north of Ballarat, California, on Indian Ranch Road. It’s about a 3.5 hour drive from either Las Vegas or Los Angeles. This cosmic party happens January 3rd and 4th, 2020, and is sure to be a great time! For more information or to secure your spot, visit the Kickstarter project page.
Join us for the Quadrantids Meteor Shower Party!