Spring '21 Star Party a big success!!
Missed our Spring’21 Virtual Star Party? Watch it now: Spring ’21, Virtual Star Party
Spring '21 Star Party Program
On Friday, April 23rd, over 150 students, faculty, staff and community members were
treated to our 22nd Star Party, or second in a virtual format. Our guest speaker, Jennifer Harris Trosper,
Mars 2020 Deputy Project Manager, presented a mission update on the Mars Perseverance
rover currently exploring Mars, which covered live videos from the command center
and some dynamic shots of the Mars rover Ingenuity helicopter! Next, with the assistance
of Dave Flynn, member of the Local Group Astronomy Club of Santa Clarita Valley, attendees
were able to see a number of constellations in the skies through a virtual presentation,
sharing tips and ideas on becoming an amateur astronomer. The evening continued from
our COC faculty members, Dr. Christine Hirst Bernhardt and Dr. Peregrine McGehee,
who presented “Adventures in 21th Century Observational Astronomy – How We Managed
Labs During the Time of COVID-19, which included the latest technology being used
to run labs during COVID-19. The evening was capped with a project update and inspirational
testimonials by our Aerospace & Sciences Team students, including their interaction
and experience with NASA-led projects! It was an educational and enjoyable evening
for all!!
Next up in our Science Talks series, plan to attend a special virtual Garden Walk, on Friday, May 7th, from 9am – 11:00am. Please click on this link for more details: Garden Walk
Our sincere THANKS to all who made this Star Party possible!!
Special thanks to our guest speaker, Jennifer Harris Trosper, Mars 2020 Deputy Project Manager
Dave Flynn with the Local Group Astronomy Club of Santa Clarita Valley
Dr. Christine Hirst Bernhardt and Dr. Peregrine McGehee, COC Faculty
The COC Aerospace and Sciences Team led by Teresa Ciardi, COC Professor
Star Party Planning Committee - Teresa Ciardi, Maria Sanchez, Jamie Page, Nicholas Schutz, Anthony Michaelides and Dr. Ryan Theule
Support staff – Shawn Irwin
Special Thanks to:
Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees:
Dr. Edel Alonso, Michael D. Berger, Sebastian Cazares, Michele R. Jenkins, and Joan W. MacGregor
Missed our Fall '20 Virtual Star Party? Watch it now: Fall '20, Virtual Start Party
Fall '20 Star Party Program
On Friday, October 23rd, well over 150 students, faculty, staff and community members
were treated to our first ever Virtual Star Party. Our guest speaker, NASA’s Dr. Padi
Boyd, presented “Beyond the Night Sky – The Once Invisible Universe”, which covered
far away galaxies, stellar nurseries, and some dynamic shots and videos of space! Next,
with the assistance of The Local Group Astronomy Club of Santa Clarita Valley, attendees
were able to view the skies through virtual presentations lead by Dave Flynn, Glenn
Basore and Don Cogan, amongst others, and learn about the use of various telescopes. The
evening was capped by demos and inspirational testimonials by our Astronomy Physics
Club students, MESA/Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers students, and NASAA
HASP/RockSatX!! It was an educational and enjoyable evening for all!!
