Orange County Astronomers

12/09/2026

On September 11, 2026, Caltech theoretical astrophysicist Jim Fuller explored how stellar pulsations—“star quakes”—reveal the hidden interiors of the Sun, red giants, white dwarfs, heartbeat stars, and even Saturn. Includes John Garrett’s “What’s Up?” sky update.

https://www.ocastronomers.org/calendar/general-meeting-2026-09
Music: Philip Wesley — http://philipwesley.com

03/09/2026

Anza Star Party, Private
September 12

VENUE: On the Sky, CA

The new moon weekend for the monthly star party. The Anza site is open to members and their guests only. Join other members for viewing and imaging. Contact any board member if you have any questions.

03/09/2026

General Meeting – September 2026
September 11 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm PDT

VENUE: Online
SPEAKER: James Fuller
Jim Fuller is a professor of theoretical astrophysics at the California Institute of Technology. His research covers a broad array of topics, ranging from Saturn’s moons to massive stars that explode as supernovae or collapse into black holes! Recently he has been studying the evolution of massive stars just before supernova, the neutron stars and black holes that they produce, asteroseismology and magnetic fields inside of red giants, pulsations of tidally distorted stars, the deep interior of Saturn as revealed by its rings, and the long-term orbital evolution of exoplanets and moons.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85094221305

OTHER "What's Up?"
John Garrett from TVA

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03/09/2026

Online Beginner’s Class - Online
September 4 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

The 1st session of the Beginners Astronomy Class gives a general overview of all of the different objects you can see in the night and day time skies, with some history and information about what they are and their significance. An overview of the current scientific understanding of the Universe’s beginning, present and future is also covered.

Website:
https://www.ocastronomers.org/bcreg

SPEAKER: David W. Pearson

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

09/08/2026

OCA Astrophysics SIG Meeting
August 21 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm PDT

VENUE:

Orange Coast College, Building 40, Astronomy House
Merrimac Way
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 + Google Map

11/07/2026

Robin Metcalfe of York University examines the scientific evidence for subsurface oceans and the possibility of life on Jupiter’s icy moons, using NASA’s Europa Clipper mission as a guide. Plus, OCA’s Chris Butler presents “What’s Up?” in the night sky.

More information: https://www.ocastronomers.org/calendar/general-meeting-2026-07/

Music by Philip Wesley — philipwesley.com

30/06/2026

OCA Astrophysics SIG Meeting
July 17 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm PDT

Series:
OCA Astrophysics SIG Meeting

VENUE
Orange Coast College, Building 40, Astronomy House
Merrimac Way
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Please contact the ASIG chair for details at [email protected] .

30/06/2026

General Meeting – July 2026
July 10 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm PDT

SPEAKER: Robin Metcalfe
is an associate professor at York University in Toronto, where she has been teaching physics and astronomy for over 25 years. She is also the Director of York’s Division of Natural Science

TOPIC:
Searching for Signs of Life on Jupiter’s Ocean-Bearing Moons.
Using NASA’s Europa Clipper mission as our guide, we’ll journey to Jupiter’s icy moons – worlds that may contain vast oceans beneath their frozen crusts. We will examine the evidence to support the possibility of finding life at this seemingly-unlikely locale in our Solar System. We will also discuss the motivation for the search for life beyond Earth, and the impact of the search on humanity.

OTHER "What's Up?"
Chris Butler from OCA

VENUE: (In-person or ZOOM
Irvine Lecture Hall of the Chapman University
336 N Center St
Orange, CA 92866

ZOOM:

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30/06/2026

OCA Beginner's class on "How to use your telescope"
Monday July 6, 2026
If you have a telescope and would like some help learning to set it up and use it, or just observe attend this Hands-on class. Held rain or shine.

Meet at 7:30pm at Orange Coast College, near Planetarium.
2701 Fairview
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone (714) 432-5772

Park in Lot E (Planetarium Parking)

Parking is $5.35 for a virtual daily parking permit and can only be paid online at PassportParking.com or by app at this time. There is no kiosk at the parking lot.

For instructions click on: https://orangecoastcollege.edu/about/parking-and-public-safety/parking/index.html

Scroll down to: PURCHASE VIRTUAL DAILY PARKING PERMITS. You want LOT E which is ZONE 92847.

Click on the link for PassportParking.com to pay online. Go to the Menu and click on the PayOnline Button and follow the prompts. If you want to download the app, also usable at many other locations in the region and in the US, please follow the instructions provided by the App.

David Pearson
OCA Beginner's Class

Our parking spaces are available on a "first-come, first-serve" basis. The Coast Community College District and Orange Coast College accepts no liability for vandalism, theft, or accidents; you use the parking facilities at your own risk. Please drive slowly and defensively.  

23/05/2026

Crescent waxing Moon from last Wednesday using a Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope. Surprisingly good detail on the craters from such a small device.