Eyes on the skies above California, Colorado, Nevada

Sunset, Nov, 1985

This month the serious business of tracking Halley's comet gets underway in our part of the West. (See the sky-watching article on page 62.) Here are the month's special events:

CALIFORNIA

Aptos. Cabrillo Planetarium, 6500 Soquel Drive, 95003; (408) 479-6331. Halley's Comet will be shown October 25, 26, November 8, 9, 22, and 23 at 7 and 8:15 P.M.; Saturday matinees at 2. Advance tickets advised: $3 adults, $1 ages 12 and under. The planetarium is in room 706.

Livermore. Meeting and stargazing November 1, from 7:30 to 9, at 1893 N. Vasco Road; call Ron Shaw at (415) 447-7730 or Jack Marling at 443-7579.

Marin County. On Mount Tamalpais: star parties November 5 to 9, from 7 to midnight. For details, call John Dobson at (415) 567-2063 or Bill Cherrington at 752-9420.

Oakland. Chabot Science Center, 4917 Mountain Boulevard; (415) 531-4560. Program includes the planetarium show Comet Halley and viewing through refractor telescopes, through November 23, (except Nov. 9) Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 P.M.; $1.50 adults, $1 for teens, 50 cents for younger children. Free telescope viewing Friday and Saturday from 7:30 to 11:30. Amateur astronomers teach a free course in telescope-making Fridays at 8.

Palo Alto. The Return of Halley's Comet, slide-illustrated lecture by Andrew Fraknoi on November 9 from 9 to 5 at Gunn High School, Spangenburg Auditorium. Fee is $44; enrollment through UC Extension, Santa Cruz 95064; (408) 429-2761.

Salinas. Ching Planetarium, Hartnell Community College, 156 Homestead Avenue; (408) 758-6941, ext. 278. A Comet Called Halley will be shown November 10 at 2; $2 adults, $1.50 under 12 and seniors. Amateur astronomers meet here the last Wednesday of each month at 7:30 P.M.

COLORADO

Colorado Springs. Academy Planetarium, near the visitor parking area at end of Cadet Drive; (303) 472-2778 (recording) or 472-2779. A Comet Called Halley will run Sundays October 6 through November 24, then January 5 through March 23, at 12:30 and 1:30 P.M. Several star parties a month also planned. Call for dates.

NEVADA

Reno. Fleischmann Planetarium, University of Nevada-Reno; (702) 784-4812. Comet Halley November 9 through April 27, Mondays at 7:30, Tuesdays through Fridays at 3, 7:30 and 9, weekends at 11, 1, 3, 7:30, and 9. $3 adults, $2 seniors and under age 13. Free viewing on first and third Friday nights of each month with 8- and 17-1/2-inch telescopes.