Whipple Observatory May 17 hosted by TRIPS

Joyce Shumate

Quail Creek TRIPS Educational Committee will take 30 Quail Creek residents on a docent-led tour of the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory. We will meet at the Creative Arts and Tech Center parking lot at 8:00 a.m. to form carpools.

The tour originates at the Observatory’s Visitor Center (which opens at 8:30 a.m.). A video presentation begins at 9:00 a.m. The bus leaves the center at 9:30 a.m. and returns by 3:00 p.m. Some uphill walking, stair climbing and standing for 15 to 20 minutes at a time are required in the course of the tour.

Participants will need to bring their own picnic lunch. There is no restaurant on the premises. There is a drink vending machine only. You may also want to bring a light jacket as it can be about 15 to 20 degrees cooler on the mountain top than the valley. Plus the telescope chambers are kept cool. Wear casual, comfortable clothes, walking shoes, sunglasses and a hat.

Cost is $12 per person. Registration will begin on April 26 at the Concierge desk in the Madera Clubhouse. All drivers will be reimbursed for gas. Thanks for volunteering.

Watch for the announcement in the What’s Happening for more information.