Event

Summer Stars Party

Summer Stars Party three course dinner including wine pairings and a guided discussion with Astronomer Mark Rader followed by Star/Planet/Lunar/Constellation viewing.

Menu:

Mixed Spring Greens
Point Reyes blue cheese, wine-poached pears, candied hazelnuts
Paired with Long Shadows Vintners 2016 Poets Leap Riesling

Jidori Chicken
Lemon-rosemary jus, truffle risotto, local farm vegetables
Paired with Alexandria Nicole 2015 Shepherds Mark

Local Berry Napoleon
Lemon curd, whipped cream, pastry crust
Paired with Warres Kings Tawny Port

This summer offers some exceptional opportunities to view celestial objects (the five major planets, several galaxies, several gaseous nebulae and a couple of globular star clusters). Additionally, we shall have opportunities to see both Mercury and Venus since each will be visible in the western sky around sunset. Because neither planet ever moves far from the Sun they set early and are perfect to view around sunset. On the other hand Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will provide some splendid views later in the evening. Both Mars and Jupiter are in opposition with the Earth, i.e, on the same side of the Sun as we are and thus are comparatively close to us. Saturn is too, but its orbital eccentricity does not provide for a close opposition. Nevertheless, these are all spectacular objects for observation especially Jupiter with its visible atmospheric banding and Saturn with its spectacular rings. -Mark Rader