Event

THIS EVENT IS ON!  (The forecast is for clear skies during the event.)

Help us promote this event.  Download this 8-1/2 x 11 flyer, print it out, and post it at your school or your workplace or your local coffee shop or your local library...

An evening of stargazing open to the public, hosted by and at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Telescopes, binoculars and a universe of knowledge are provided by members of the MIRA Astronomy Club.  This evening's theme is "Planets and Deep Sky Objects".

Here is the event description from the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca website:

Take in the night sky with real astronomers to guide you. The Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy hosts this incredible event on Hospitality Island in the lakebed. Telescopes of all shapes and sizes and astronomers are on hand to show some of the natural phenomenon happening above. All ages are welcome to join!

Prior to attending this event, please review our guidelines on public star party etiquette.

Scroll down to the bottom of this posting for an interactive map of this event's location.

The map below shows where to find the "Hospitality Island" within the Laguna Seca grounds.  Park to the south of the "telescope set-up" area (identified as "Guest Parking" in the second map below).

Notes to participating MIRA Astronomy Club members:  good crowds, close proximity, easy parking and low dust make this a special event.  Sunset is at 5:56pm.  Plan to arrive with your stargazing equipment by 5:30pm, to give yourself adequate time to unpack and move your car.  Parking is available nearby, as shown on the map below:

Date: Friday, February 21, 2025

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Pacific

Location: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Hospitality Island
1021 Monterey Salinas Highway
Salinas, CA 93908

Information for Visitors

2025.02.21 Public Stargazing Event Flyer R1 326 KB

Location Details

Event Report

Comments and anecdotes about the event:
Clear skies throughout the event. Excellent variety of telescopes. Parade of planets across the ecliptic.
Photo From "Race to Space" Public Stargazing Event
Club members setting up their equipment prior to the start of the event.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thu 3/13/2025
- Fri 3/14/2025
10 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Pacific
Total Lunar Eclipse Viewing Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy
200 8th St
Marina, CA
Fri 4/25/2025
8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Pacific
"Race to Space" Public Stargazing Event WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Hospitality Island
1021 Monterey Salinas Highway
Salinas, CA
Thu 5/8/2025
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Pacific
MIRA Astronomy Club Quarterly Meeting Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy
200 8th St
Marina, CA
Sat 5/17/2025
8:15 p.m. - 10:15 p.m. Pacific
Public "Star Party" at Garland Ranch Regional Park Garland Ranch Regional Park
700 W. Carmel Valley Road
Carmel Valley, CA