News Release

IWV Campus

Cerro Coso College & College Foundation to Host Astronomical BBQ & Star Party

September 8, 2009

The Fourth Annual Astronomical Barbecue & Star Party at Cerro Coso Community College is scheduled for this Friday, October 9. This family event is co-sponsored by the College and the Cerro Coso Community College Foundation. The event supports the continued development of the "Dr. Alex Shlanta Memorial Astronomical Observatory" at Cerro Coso.

The barbecue dinner will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the College Library's front lawn. Tri-tip sandwich dinner with all the fixings, along with hot dogs for the younger kids will be served. Musical entertainment during the evening will be provided by the Cerro Coso Community Band. There will also be a wide assortment of door prize drawings conducted during dinner.

Starting at 6 p.m. and repeated at half-hour intervals a narrated slide presentation and a brief overview of astronomy will be given by the China Lake Astronomical Society's (CLAS's) members in the College Library.

The Star Party itself, at the observatory, will begin approximately 7:30 p.m. For those desiring transportation, golf carts will be running continuously from the Library parking lot to the Astronomical Observatory and back. Major stars and constellations will be pointed out. There will be approximately 10 different telescope stations set up inside the Observatory compound for public viewing and explanations of what is seen by CLAS members staffing each station.

Tickets for adults are: $10.00, and children are only $8.00. Tickets are available at Red Rock Books, Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce, and the Cerro Coso Business Office.

For more information on this family evening of fun call the Cerro Coso Community College Public Information Office at 384-6230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Clark, Director of Public Information (760) 384-6230