In and Around County : Telescopes, Guidance Offered to Comet Fans

Those who want to view Halley’s comet the easy way--with someone else aiming the telescope and explaining all--have many opportunities available in or near Orange County.

Every clear night the 12-inch refractor telescope at the Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles is available to the public until midnight. Recorded information is available by telephoning (213) 663-8171.

But the Griffith Park Observatory is hindered by the lights of the city. According to John Sanford, president of the Orange County Astronomers, as good or better a view is available within Orange County by telephoning Sanford at (714) 639-8446.

Visit Member’s Home

“We will recommend one of our members who lives near the caller so they could go over to the member’s home and see it through his telescope,” Sanford said. “Most of our members would be willing to do that, but I can’t guarantee we can take care of everyone.”

The Orange County Astronomers has monthly meetings at which telescopes are set up and available to the public, Sanford said. The club’s 24-hour phone number--(714) 633-2253--has tape-recorded information on meetings.

Sanford will teach a class through the UC Irvine Extension program, “Comet Chasing With a Camera: A Beginner’s Guide to Astrophotography,” that will include a trip to his club’s observatory near Palomar Mountain. “We have a 22-inch telescope, nearly twice as big as Griffith Park’s,” Sanford said.

Arrangements Can Be Made

The club’s observatory is not generally available to the public, but groups can make arrangements for a visit by calling, Sanford said.

He added that the club will offer an “in-town star party” at an Orange County park, probably during the first week in January.

Saddleback College in Mission Viejo will offer comet watchers a bus trip to the desert in San Diego County next Saturday, leaving campus at 4:30 p.m. Yong Kim, professor of astronomy, will conduct the trip. The fee is $5 per person, and reservations are available by telephoning (714) 582-4650.

Cruises Available

For those wanting even better views, UCI Extension is offering a comet watcher’s cruise to Egypt, and Coastline Community College is offering one to Peru.

Other organizations reported comet-watching events in the works, with announcements to be made later in the year.