Cerro Coso’s Star Party: A Tradition That Inspires – Iconic Event Returns Sept. 27

Cerro Coso Community College’s Star Parties have long sought to provide the spark, encouraging kids to take an interest in astronomy.

The Star Party – returning Sept. 27 -- has a reputation as a family event that is both fun and educational. Adult admission is $25 and includes a BBQ dinner. Tickets for kids 8 to 17 are $15 and kids 7 and under are free (but still need a ticket).

In addition to providing family fun, the Star Party is intended to engage young people in the sciences. And based on personal anecdotes it seems to work.

Ask a handful of adults involved in aerospace or astronomics about how they first became interested in their fields and the answer frequently involves a telescope.

Take Ted Hodgkinson, for example.

Hodgkinson is a member of the China Lake Astronomical Society (CLAS) and he dates his interest in the heavens to an experience with a telescope.

“I was like in the 8th grade and the basketball game was over and I walked outside. One of the kids had brought a telescope over and the first planet I saw was Saturn.”

Hodgkinson said he was hooked and wound up studying astronomy in college. He has been working on Star Parties with various organizations since 1968.

Nor was he alone in the experience.

“Lots of kids become fascinated through looking at Saturn,” he said. Hodgkinson speculated that it might have something to do with seeing the rings of Saturn in real life as opposed to in a photograph.

The Astronomical Society will be on hand at the Star Party to provide telescopes and education. Star gazers will be able to view the stars from the Cerro Coso observatory and there will also be telescopes set up at the party location. CLAS is a long-time supporter of the event — leading and hosting the stargazing and sharing their extensive knowledge with attendees over the years.

Hodgkinson will once again be one of the CLAS volunteers, helping everyone understand what it is they are looking at.

“Generally this time of year we concentrate on looking at Milky Way objects, globular clusters, the Andromeda Galaxy, planet Saturn,” he explained.

The CLAS dates back to the early 1960s. They regularly put on regular Star Parties that take advantage of the Ridgecrest area’s magical dark skies. If you are interested in learning more and taking part in one of their many events, see www.chinalakeastro.org.

As in the past, this year’s party will feature dinner, music, games in addition to stargazing.

Dinner will include barbecued tri-tip, chicken and sides prepared by Cerro Coso staff. Wine and beer will be available for purchase. There will also be games and activities for kids of all ages.

The Cerro Coso Foundation Astronomical Star Party and BBQ will be held Friday, September 27, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Star Party proceeds go to the Cerro Coso Foundation, founded in 1977 and operates as an auxiliary arm of the college. Funds raised at events go toward student scholarships and to support other CCCC activities.

Find out more about the CCCC Foundation.

Caption: 2022 Star Party attendees.