YouTube Channel for Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory

I just went onto this and subscribed and it is just fabulous as they have all the lectures given on astronomy and other topics. So we can catch up on what we missed and see things we miss when we're not here.  Wow, what a resource!

They have the Melissa Riche talk we went to so for those of you who are mid-century modern buffs I really recommend it. It was excellent. And when we were at the library yesterday I picked up my holds on Mod Mirage by Melissa Riche and the latest Alexander McCall Smith No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency novel, "The Colors of all the Cattle".  I haven't read him for a while so looking forward to it.

Here's the link to the YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Rancho+mirage+library+and+observatory

On the tour yesterday we learned that the small dome is actually the washroom! The architect felt the structure needed some balance. Pretty cool! This Tuesday they release the times for the next round of Star Gazing Parties in December so Jim and I will both be online at 10am trying to get a space. Last time the 900 slots went in 8 minutes.

We got to look at the sun through this smaller telescope. They have four smaller telescopes for the star gazing parties so people have lots of opportunity for viewing and also everyone gets a chance at the big telescope. The docent  is "flipping the meridian". The walls are the height they are so light from houses etc. doesn't interfere.  Rancho Mirage has very low light pollution so a great location and being right in the city it is so accessible. To get to the other major telescope in the area you need to drive an hour and a half up a mountain.

The other three smaller telescopes.

Inside the big dome. It rotates, of course. People from all over the world are able to use the telescope due to the electronics.  I guess this is standard these days.The whole facility cost 4.5 million. In 2019, every school child in the Coachella Valley will have a chance to have a learning experience at the facility.  Someone put up a big grant for this. There are very deep pockets in Rancho Mirage.

And the main event...the big telescope!