Stargazing on Mount Diablo

 

Mount Diablo Observatory Association

The MOUNT DIABLO OBSERVATORY ASSOCIATION (MDOA) is dedicated to public education in astronomy. The organization includes scientists, engineers and other professional people, with a common interest in astronomy and a desire to further science education.

Mailing Address: Mt. Diablo Observatory Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 3165
Walnut Creek, CA 94598-3165
Email

The Mt. Diablo Observatory Association, Inc. (MDOA) is a cooperating organization within Mount Diablo State Park. Incorporated in 1988, MDOA members planned, raised funds and established an astronomical observatory.

The observatory consists of a Solar powered 96 square foot roll-off roof observatory, and a 500 square foot warming room. The heart of the observatory is a computer controlled Celestron 14, which has a variety of electronic attachments, a CCD camera, and photographic equipment. The addition of a refractor to the observatory has enhanced the photographic tasks and the public outreach of the observatory. A 15 Kilowatt generator provides all the electrical needs for lighting, heating, and AC for the comfort of our visitors in the warming room.

At nearly 3800 feet above the mean sea level, the observatory has an unobstructed view of the night sky (and Mount Diablo is the highest mountain within the San Francisco Bay Area with a public access observatory).

Every year MDOA (and it’s sister organization, Mount Diablo Astronomical Society) operate Public Astronomy Programs under the sponsorship of Mount Diablo State Park;  Now in its 27th year! 

Join us for the public evenings on these dates!  Dress warm (even in the summer it can get cold) bring drinking water, and a flashlight with a red lens.   We’ll never cancel for FOG, because the observatory’s above the fog line; Only rain or the park’s closure for Extreme Fire Danger cancels a program!

For written information, applications for Associate Membership ($15/year) to support the observatory or for other correspondence feel free to contact us by email, or in writing at:

MDOA
P.O. BOX 3165
Walnut Creek, CA  94598

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Photo of the main telescope (Refractor not shown)


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Planetary Nebula, M 57 in Lyra. June 12, 2010

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MOON      Photographed April 13, 2009

 


For more information on MDAS click here:
Mount Diablo Astronomical Society web site

Other astronomy links:
Western Amateur Astronomers

The material above is provided by Mt Diablo Observatory Association
and Mt Diablo Astronomical Society

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MOUNT DIABLO INTERPRETIVE ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 346 - Walnut Creek, CA 94597-0346
(925) 927-7222 / FAX: (877) 349-5016