ASTRONOMY UPDATE (August 4, 2009)
Dennis Mammana
BREAKING NEWS
On Friday, July 31, Borrego Springs was designated by the
International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) as only the second official
International Dark Sky Community—and the first in California. It’s taken us nearly
two years to make this happen, and we’re all pretty excited about this
achievement. The certification recognizes Borrego
Springs’ exceptional commitment to dark sky protection and restoration
throughout the community, long a haven for stargazers. Rated by USA Today
as one of the top ten stargazing locations in the nation (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/2003-07-31-star-gazing_x.htm),
the Anza-Borrego Desert prides itself on its dedication
to the whole desert experience. You can read the IDA’s full
announcement and other stories here:
http://docs.darksky.org/PR/PR_BorregoSprings.pdf
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/aug/03/bn03dark-borrego-stargazing/
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080501/news_1c01dark.html
This is a particularly special achievement to me since our 44th
annual Borrego Days Desert Festival this October has an appropriately-celestial
theme: “Starry Starry Nights” (http://www.borregospringschamber.com/BorregoDays/),
and I’ve been honored by being named the festival’s Grand Marshal.
I hope you’ll make plans to visit for all the fun that weekend.
In the meantime, plan to join me for a fun program coming up soon:
Magnificent Milky Way at Borrego Springs Resort (August 15)
Few celestial sights are as
stunning as an August desert sky. On Saturday, August 15, stroll with us
along the Milky Way—from the nearest of stars and glowing nebulae to the
shattered remains of once mighty suns to our galaxy's most distant stellar
clusters—and witness some of the most magnificent scenery anywhere!
This terrific package at the Borrego Springs Resort includes: one night deluxe accommodations (08/15/2009), indoor slide program followed by naked-eye and telescope viewing (weather permitting, of course), buffet dinner, transportation to viewing site, mini-flashlights, celestial party refreshments, all tax and gratuity. Non-hotel packages are also available.
For more details, please visit: http://www.dennismammana.com/events/lectures.htm or call 888.826.7734 for reservations. It’s filling up quickly, so don’t wait! http://www.borregospringsresort.com/featuredpromotions.asp
And to read about our most recent popular sky event
there, check out this recent article by one of the participants:
http://www.sandiegoinsidertours.com/blog/index.php/category/desert-life/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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____________________
DENNIS MAMMANA
www.DennisMammana.com
www.twanight.org