Astronomy in the Park at Oak Grove Regional Park

Overview

Members of the Stockton Astronomical Society will volunteer to setup their telescopes for the public at S.J. County Oak Grove Regional Park on the Saturday closest to the First Quarter Moon. In the past years the Nature Center would be open with astronomy-based activities. If the sky is not clear the event may be canceled, and we will try again the next month.

S.J. County charges a Parking Fee of $6.00 CASH per vehicle but the Nature Center and telescope viewing is free.
SAS telescope volunteers; show the person at the kiosk that you are part of the SAS volunteer staff, and they should let you in for free.
Indoor astronomy themed activities for kids (both big & small) will be in the Nature Center.
Telescope viewing starts after Sunset, the Moon will be visible in the telescopes from the start. As the sky darkens more objects become visible. Darker and clearer sky is better for viewing.

Every month we will feature a different deep sky object. We will point one of our large telescopes at this object during the last hour of the evening. These objects are dim and fuzzy and are best seen in large aperture
telescopes.
• To view objects, it may be necessary to stand on a ladder or step stool that will be next to the telescope.

For more information call:
Doug Christensen
Stockton Astronomical Society
(209) 471-1674
Eric Holland
Stockton Astronomical Society
(209) 351-0206

Astronomy in the Park 2026 Schedule

Saturday, January 24
Sunset is at 5:15pm
The Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, The Pleiades, The Hyades, Deep sky Object: The
Andromeda Galaxy

Saturday, February 21
Sunset is at 5:45 pm
The Moon, Venus & Mercury just after sunset, Saturn until 6:00, Jupiter,
Orion Nebula, The Pleiades
Deep sky Object: Perseus Double Cluster

Saturday, March 21
Sunset is at 7:15 pm
The Moon, Venus Jupiter, Orion Nebula, The Pleiades
Deep sky Object: Perseus Double Cluster

Saturday, April 25
Sunset is at 7:50pm
The Moon, Jupiter, Venus, Orion Nebula
9:30 pm - Deep Sky Object: M81 & M82 (Bodes Galaxies)

Saturday, May 23
Sunset is at 8:15pm
The Moon, Mercury possible at sunset, Venus, Jupiter, Hercules Globular
Cluster
9:30 pm - Deep Sky Object: The Whale Galaxy

Saturday, June 20
Sunset is at 8:30pm
The Moon, Mercury and Jupiter at Sunset, Venus for the first hour. M13
(Star Cluster in Hercules)
10:00 pm - Deep Sky Object: M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy)

Saturday July 18
Sunset is at 8:25
Moon, Venus for the first hour, M13 (Star Cluster in Hercules),
Deep Sky Object: M57 (Ring Nebula)

Saturday, August 22
Sunset is at 7:45pm
The Moon, Venus for the first hour only, M13 (Star Cluster in Hercules),
Deep Sky Object: M57 (Ring Nebula)

Saturday, September 19
Sunset is at 7:05pm
The Moon, Saturn after 9:30, M13 (Star Cluster in Hercules)
9:00 pm - Deep Sky Object: M57 (Ring Nebula)

Saturday, October 17
Sunset is at 6:30pm
The Moon, Saturn, M13 (Star Cluster in Hercules)
8:00 pm - Deep Sky Object: M27 (The Dumbbell Nebula)

Saturday, November 14
Sunset is at 5:00
The Moon, Saturn, Mercury possible at sunset, M13 (Star Cluster in
Hercules)

Saturday, December 12
Sunset is at 4:45
The Moon, Saturn, Deep Sky Object: M31 (Andromeda Galaxy)