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(ATMoB:Discuss) Mars/Star Party at Oak Ridge Observatory, Harvard, MA - Help needed

Telescopes and Parking Help Needed:

The CfA ran a huge Mars party at Oak Ridge Observatory in Harvard, MA  on August 24th and at least 800 people showed up ... but Mars never did. Joe Caruso, who spoke to us about the Moon at a recent club meeting, operates the 61" telescope there. Joe asked if we would run a Mars/Star party there for Harvard residents only (to minimize the crowd) since everyone was so disappointed that they couldn't see Mars through the telescopes.

So, telescopes and directing traffic/parking help are needed for an "Observe Mars" party for residents of the Town of Harvard at Oak Ridge Observatory, Harvard MA on Monday, September 8th, with September 9th and 10th as cloud dates, 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM. Expected attendance is 300. Parking will be along the road inside the observatory and down by the radio telescope.

A 6½” Clark refractor (well over 100 years old) and a 16” Cassegrain will also be available for us to use. Townsfolk will be able to look at the 61-inch Wyeth reflector, the largest optical telescope east of the Mississippi, but it will not be set up for observing.

Please come early so you can see where to park and where to set up your telescope. We will place them so that Mars can be viewed as soon as it rises since Mars will need to be fairly high to be seen with the Observatory's telescopes. I will be there by 6 PM. We can of course show the public the Moon and any deep sky objects, not just Mars.

It is a very special treat to have this research facility open to the public again. Oak Ridge also has a place in the history of the club - in the past the ATMoB had picnics there followed by lectures given next to the 61".

Please email me at starleen_a_t_charter dawt net or call 978-456-3937 if you can bring a telescope or help with parking. Thank you for any help you can provide. Directions are below.

Eileen

Directions:
The Oak Ridge Observatory is located at 40 Pinnacle Road, Harvard, MA 01451
Maps to Oak Ridge Observatory
Directions from Boston/Cambridge:
From Alewife Rotary (intersection of Rtes. 2 and 16): Head West on Route 2 for 10.65 miles.
Turn Left on Route 2 West; proceed for 4.5 miles.
At Concord Rotary, take 3rd Exit onto Route 2 West; proceed for 7.2 miles.
Merge onto Rt. 495 South via Exit #40A toward Marlboro/Worcester; proceed for 3.4 miles.
Take the Rt. 111 West exit (Exit #28) toward Harvard; proceed for 0.2 miles Merge onto Route 111 West towards Harvard (not gas or hotel); proceed for 0.45 miles to red overhanging STOP light by the Harvard General Store.
Turn Right  - you will be heading towards the red brick Public Library; another STOP and then continue straight past the library (with library on your left) onto Old Littleton Rd. for 0.6 miles up a steep grade to an intersection on a ridge.Turn Right onto Pinnacle Road; proceed for 0.4 miles to the Observatory Entrance at 40 Pinnacle Rd.