Chino Hills State Park Tour of the Stars a Big Success!

Jeff Schroeder of Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers addresses an overflow crowd at the Rolling M Ranch amphitheater.  Photos courtesy of Hills for Everyone.

This past Saturday evening's program organized by the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association and concerning a "tour of the stars" was a trememdous hit as more than 350 persons attended the event.

Jeff Schroeder of the Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers led the "tour" and it was reported that people were arriving as late as 11 p.m., just an hour before the conclusion.  All available parking spots were snapped up and every seat on the benches of the Rolling M Ranch amphitheater was occupied, with people sitting on the concrete floor and standing four-deep on the perimeter!

Volvos are not only renowned for safety but apparently make excellent telescope platforms!

Guests waited in lines that wrapped around the parking area to get a look at the evening sky through telescopes--the location was particularly good for viewing the stars as the elevation and distance from nearby developed locations kept ambient light at as low a level as you can get in the area.

One organizer state that it was "quite a night" and that the remarkable turnout and accompanying interest demonstrates that "there was a real hunger for darkness/stars and information."

Guests view a display of meteorites at last Saturday's astronomy event.

This blogger was really hoping to be there with the family, but was out of town.  Maybe there will be an encore offered in the not-too-distant future.