[Launch Alert] Apollo 11 Celebration and Star Party

[Launch Alert]

This Saturday, the Ventura County Astronomical Society (VCAS) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, present an astronomy talk, and allow the public to view the heavens through various telescopes. The event will take place at Moorpark College. The following information is courtesy of VCAS:


Ventura County Astronomical Society Presents
50 Years Since Apollo 11
A Special Star Party for All Ages
Saturday, July 20th from 7:00 to 11:00 pm [Gates open at 6:30]
Countdown to exact time Humans stepped on the moon at 7:56
Charles Temple Observatory at Moorpark College
Telescopes will be focused on Saturn starting at 9 pm
7075 Campus Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/VCAS.Astronomy/

6:30    pm     Gates Open

6:30 – 8:15    Guests set up and display Apollo 11 memorabilia

               Visitor view displays, interact with VCAS members

7:15           Screen Apollo 11 Documentary by Todd Douglas Miller [no sound]

7:45           GATHER FOR COUNTDOWN to exact moment of 50th anniversary

7:56:15        Brian Webb: Aerospace reporter for public radio and freelance writer 

COUNTDOWN TO EXACT TIME when Neil Armstrong Stepped foot on the Moon [exact time is 7:56:15 PDT]

8:00           SUNSET

8:15 – 8:30    Dr Jerrell Thomas of NASA talks about his career with NASA on Project Apollo

               Dr Thomas worked for NASA for the entire duration of Project Apollo

8:30           Project 2 min Video Clip of Neil Armstrong taking 1st step on the moon

               Get reactions from audience [open mic]

8:30 – 9:15    Open Mic. Adults share memories. Kids share hopes for the future [2 min ea]

               Meet and Greet. VCAS members interact with public

               Second chance to view displays

9:15 – 9:35    Professor Hal Jandorf gives astronomy Talk on: “What’s Up tonight”

               Professor Jandorf teaches astronomy at Moorpark And Valley Colleges

9:35           [Audience given choice to stay for Ray Vincent or go to telescope observing]

9:35 – 10:35   Ray Vincent of the Chatsworth Historical Society: History of Rocketdyne, Saturn V engine tests, Space shuttle, history of Burro Flats

10:43          Moon Rise

11:00  pm      End of Star Party [credit roll for all the volunteers]

If you want to share your memorabilia from Apollo 11 please arrive by 7 pm have your own table, chairs and battery powered light.