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Observing
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The Astronomy Connection
Observing Sites
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TAC Observing Sites
Try this link for page of south bay frequented Clear Sky Charts
| Site | Description | ||
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| Blue Canyon | Description: Airport site used by the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society, TAC-SAC and others. Use Policy: Semi-public access. Owner: Placer County |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/BlueCanyonCAcs0.gif?1) Sunrise/Sunset: 0534 1833
Moonrise/Moonset: 2353 1421
Astronomical Twilight: #### ####
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Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Paved |
Lat: N39 15.528 Lon: W120 42.472 Elev: 5271 ft. |
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| Blue Ridge | Description: North of Vacaville. A wide parking area where there's room for about 5 cars and scopes. Use Policy: Public access Owner: Solano County |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/BlRdgVcCAcs0.gif?1) |
Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Dirt |
Lat: N38 24.5480 Lon: W122 06.47 Elev: 2500 ft. Road Map |
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| Bonny Doon Airport | Description: Private property. Only available on Santa Cruz Astronomy Club arranged nights. Use Policy: Only open when the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club is hosting a star party. Owner: Private property TAC Site Liaison: Santa Cruz Astronomy Club |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/BoonyDoonCAcs0.gif?1) |
Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Gravel |
Lat: N37 04.317 Lon: W122 07.721 Elev: 2000 ft. |
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| Chabot | Description: A public observatory and planetarium. Use Policy: Must be a registered volunteer. See their web site: http://www.chabotspace.org/volunteer/default.asp Owner: City of Oakland |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/ChbtSPCCAcs0.gif?1) Sunrise/Sunset: 0540 1836
Moonrise/Moonset: 1423
Astronomical Twilight: 0408 2008
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Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Paved |
Lat: N37 8191 Lon: W122 1819 Elev: 1460 ft. Road Map Topographic Map |
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| Coyote Lake | Description: Lake-side county park near Gilroy. Use Policy: Anyone can use it for observing at night. No reservations are re Owner: Santa Clara County |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/CytLkCPCAcs0.gif?1) Sunrise/Sunset: 0538 1834
Moonrise/Moonset: 1418
Astronomical Twilight: 0407 2004
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Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Paved |
Lat: N37 05.567 Lon: W121 32.550 Elev: 970 ft. Road Map |
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| Deep Sky Ranch | Description: Private property east of Paicines Use Policy: Private property. By invitation only. Owner: Kevin Ritschel (deepskyranch at gmail dot com) TAC Site Liaison: Kevin Ritschel |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/PnchPsscs0.gif?1) |
Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Dirt |
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| Del Valle Reservior | Description: A lake-side park near Livermore. Use Policy: By reservation. Only on announced nights. Owner: East Bay Regional Park District TAC Site Liaison: Bruce Jensen |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/DelValleCAcs0.gif?1) |
Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Varied |
Lat: N37 35.900 Lon: W121 41.400 Elev: 1350 ft. |
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| Dinosaur Point | Description: Parking lot adjacent to San Luis Reservior. Use Policy: ---- IMPORTANT ---- DO NOT go to Dinosaur Point without reading the rules, found via the link "More Information" to the left of this section. TAC Site Liaison: Albert Highe |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/Dino_CAcs0.gif?1) Sunrise/Sunset: 0535 1830
Moonrise/Moonset: 2358 1414
Astronomical Twilight: 0404 2001
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Weather:  Surface: Paved |
Lat: N37 03.90 Lon: W121 10.217 Elev: 648 ft. |
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| Fiddletown | Description: Private property near Fiddletown. Use Policy: First timers should caravan with a previous visitor, free access after that. Owner: Bob Kestner TAC Site Liaison: Steve Gottlieb |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/FiddletownCAcs0.gif?1) |
Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Gravel |
Lat: N38 29.502 Lon: W120 39.800 Elev: 2565 ft. |
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| Fremont Peak | Description: A mountain-top state park, with a 30 in. reflector in a club-owned observatory. Use Policy: Park closes 1/2 hour after sunset except for approved after-hours activities; Dec to Feb: closed nights except for FPOA area, which is behind the gate and near the observatory, FPOA membership required. March to Nov: E-mail the ranger(s) 2 days in advance with observing intent. Email: [sneufeld@parks.ca.gov] and [dedavis@parks.ca.gov], include vehicle type and license plate. $4.00 Park Use Fee. Owner: The State of California TAC Site Liaison: Jamie Dillon |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/Fremont_CAcs0.gif) Sunrise/Sunset: 0538 1833
Moonrise/Moonset: 1417
Astronomical Twilight: 0408 2003
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Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Paved |
Lat: N36 45.655 Lon: W121 30.169 Elev: 2750 ft. Road Map |
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| GSSP | Description: Private property on which the Golden State Star Party is held. Use Policy: Only once per year for TAC's annual star party, the Golden State Star Party (GSSP). You must register with GSSP to attend. Owner: Frosty Acres Ranch TAC Site Liaison: Richard Ozer & GSSP Committee |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/GSSPCAcs0.gif?1) Sunrise/Sunset: #### ####
Moonrise/Moonset: #### ####
Astronomical Twilight: #### ####
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Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Varied |
Lat: N41 8.06221 Lon: W120 580675 Elev: 4400 ft. |
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| Garland Ranch | Description: A parking facility in Carmel Valley used by the MIRA Observers Group for public star parties. Use Policy: Park has public access for daytime use only; parking facility is always open but normally used only during scheduled events. Owner: Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District TAC Site Liaison: Jim Bartolini |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/TulaOBCAcs0.gif?1) |
Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Gravel |
Lat: 36º 30.5’ N Lon: 121º 46’ W Elev: 185 ft. |
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| Grant Ranch | Description: County park on Mount Hamilton Road (highway 130), home to HVAG. Use Policy: Available to HVAG members by prior arrangement, available to others only on scheduled nights. Owner: Santa Clara County |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/MtHamCAcs0.gif?1) |
Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Varied |
Lat: N37 19.770 Lon: W121 42.921 Elev: 1705 ft. Road Map |
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| Henry Coe | Description: A state park near Morgan Hill. Use Policy: Phone 408 779-2728 or e-ail ranger John Vorheoven at jverhoeven@parks.ca.gov to arrange use overflow parking lot. Lot is 1/2 mile before park headquarters, just past a cattle crossing. If you arrange for use of lot, post on TAC to reduce calls to the rangers. Pay $8 day use fee at ranger's headquarters. Owner: The State of California TAC Site Liaison: Jim Van Nuland |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/HenryCoe_CAcs0.gif?1) Sunrise/Sunset: #### ####
Moonrise/Moonset: 1418
Astronomical Twilight: 0407 2004
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Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Gravel |
Lat: N37 11.250 Lon: W121 33.016 Elev: 2600 ft. Road Map Topographic Map |
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| Houge Park | Description: A city park in San Jose, home to SJAA meetings and public observing events. Use Policy: Lights extinguished only on scheduled SJAA observing nights. Owner: City of San Jose |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/SanJoseCAcs0.gif) Sunrise/Sunset: 0539 1835
Moonrise/Moonset: 1420
Astronomical Twilight: 0408 2005
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Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Paved |
Road Map |
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| IHOP | Description: BLM land near Union Lake Reservoir up highway 50, turn just before White Hall. Use Policy: None Owner: BLM TAC Site Liaison: None |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/IHOPCAcs0.gif?1) Sunrise/Sunset: 0534 1833
Moonrise/Moonset: #### ####
Astronomical Twilight: 0401 2006
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Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Dirt |
Lat: N38 47.800 Lon: w120 24.600, 5000 Elev: 5243 ft. Road Map Topographic Map |
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| Lake San Antonio | Description: A county park and reservoir. Site of the annual CalStar star party. Use Policy: Owner: Monterey County Parks |
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Clear-Sky Clock: Sunrise/Sunset: 0537 1831
Moonrise/Moonset: 1413
Astronomical Twilight: 0407 2000
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Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Dirt |
Road Map |
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| Lake Sonoma | Description: An Army Corps of Engineers facility and park near Cloverdale. Use Policy: Open to the public. Call ranger in advance if arriving after dark - Main office: 707-433-9483. The Rangers office phone# is 707-431-4511. You can use this # to request unlocking of parking lot entrances (e.g. Lone Rock) for observing. Ranger "Mike" can be reached at 707-431-4520. |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/SonomaCAcs0.gif?1) Sunrise/Sunset: 0542 1841
Moonrise/Moonset: 1429
Astronomical Twilight: 0409 2013
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Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: |
Road Map |
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| Montebello | Description: A gravel parking lot near Skyline Drive, west of Palo Alto. Use Policy: Permit and reservation required. Permit-holder must be present. Owner: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District TAC Site Liaison: James Turley |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/Montebello_CAcs0.gif) Sunrise/Sunset: 0540 1836
Moonrise/Moonset: 1421
Astronomical Twilight: 0409 2007
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Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Gravel |
Lat: N37 19.533 Lon: W122 10.733 Elev: 2284 ft. Road Map Topographic Map |
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| Mount Lassen | Description: A national park east of Redding. Use Policy: Bumpass Hell and Devestated Area parking lots open to all park users. Road open from July through September. Owner: National Park Service |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/Lassen_National_Parkcs0.gif?1) Sunrise/Sunset: 0535 1837
Moonrise/Moonset: 2349 1431
Astronomical Twilight: 0358 2014
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Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Paved |
Topographic Map |
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| Mount Tamalpias Pantoll Ranger | Description: A paved, reasonably dark parking lot at the Pantoll Ranger Station, Mt. Tamalpias State Park. Use Policy: This is a public area and camping/motorhomes are permitted for a small fee. Self-registration. Astronomers are unmolested, generally, by the park rangers. They enjoy looking through the scopes. Owner: State of California TAC Site Liaison: Robert English |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/MtTamaCAcs0.gif?1) |
Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Paved |
Lat: N37 54.219 Lon: W122 36.2442 Elev: 1458 ft. Road Map Topographic Map |
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| Mount Tamalpias Rock Springs | Description: Site of SFAA star parties and monthly private observing sessions. Use Policy: Only SFAA members are allowed to remain at the star party after the Rock Spring gates are closed. Owner: State of California TAC Site Liaison: Robert English |
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| Clear-Sky Clock: |
Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Paved |
Lat: N37 54.6642 Lon: W122 36.7782 Elev: 1949 ft. Road Map Topographic Map |
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| Pacheco State Park | Description: A state park near Pacheco Pass on highway 152. Potentially very dark and clear. Use Policy: Contact Ranger (209/826-6283 or 209/826-1196) to arrange night use. Owner: State of California |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/PachecoCAcs0.gif?1) Sunrise/Sunset: #### ####
Moonrise/Moonset: #### ####
Astronomical Twilight: #### ####
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Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Gravel |
Topographic Map |
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| Plettstone | Description: By invitation only. Invitations are posted regularly on the TAC mailing list. Driving directions are available by request. Use Policy: Private property located in the Sierra Foothills near Mariposa.Contact Michelle Stone at litebkt at gmail dot com. Owner: Michelle Stone TAC Site Liaison: Michelle Stone |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com/c/PlttsnCAcs0.gif?1) |
Weather: Weather Surface: Varied |
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| Unlisted Site | Description: A placeholder for people who want to post OIs for somewhere not listed. Use Policy: TAC Site Liaison: (none) |
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Surface: |
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| Willow Springs 3000 | Description: Private property east of Paicines, at 3000 feet in the Diablo Range Use Policy: Private property. By invitation only. Owner: Bob Ayers TAC Site Liaison: Bob Ayers - astroayers at gmail dot com |
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| Clear-Sky Clock: |
Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Dirt |
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| Young Observatory (Angwin) | Description: Parking lot adjacent the observatory at Pacific Union College. Use Policy: Open to anyone who wants to observe on Fridays when school is in session. Other days if pre-arranged with site liaison. Owner: Pacific Union College TAC Site Liaison: Otis Finley |
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Clear-Sky Clock: ![[Clear Sky Clock]](http://cleardarksky.com//c/AngwnCAcs0.gif?1) |
Weather: NOAA Weather Surface: Dirt |
Lat: N38 34.55 Lon: W122 27.00 Elev: 1800 ft. Road Map Topographic Map |
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If you have useful additional information about one of these observing sites, or would like to suggest another Bay-area observing site, plaese send e-mail to the TAC Webmaster.