Fremont Peak Observatory Association

 

2012 Public Programs

Evening:
Presentation: 8:00p or 8:30p.
Viewing: Sunset to 12m

   8:00 - Mar  17, 24
   8:00 - Apr  14, 21, 28
   8:30 - May  12, 19, 26
   8:30 - Jun  9, 16, 23
   8:30 - Jul  14, 21
   8:30 - Aug  11, 18
   8:00 - Sep  8, 15, 22
   8:00 - Oct  13, 20
Solar (2p - 5p):
   Mar 24, Apr 21, May 19
   Jun 16, Jul 21, Aug 18
   Sep 15, Oct 13
Solar Eclipse 05/20
Transit of Venus 06/05
Perseid Meteor Shower 08/12
Star-B-Que 08/18
Memb Appr Nite 09/15

Times vary due to weather and availability.

More Schedule Details...

FPOA Observatory - Public Night

Challenger Telescope
FPOA members adjusting
the optics of the 30" "Challenger" telescope

Advection Fog
Morning fog seen from the observatory.


Annular Eclipse Event at Fremont Peak Sunday May 20    5 PM until Sunset
At Fremont Peak, the sun will be about 88% covered. The entire partial eclipse event should be visible from the observatory. For more information, and an excellent informative YouTube video and other good links, click the link above.

We will be open to the public for a special Solar Program starting an hour before the eclipse begins.


Don't forget to renew your membership this year..
Click here to Renew your Membership.

About FPOA
Fremont Peak Observatory Association volunteers spread the word about the wonder of the night sky, educate the public through presentations and observing sessions, and provide quality observatory facilities.

FPOA is a favorite destination of families as well as school, scout and church groups. Each year over 2,000 members of the public are treated to a personalized multimedia presentation by an FPOA astronomer as the Saturday evening sun sets over the Pacific. As darkness falls and the stars emerge, they gaze in wonder at night sky splendors through the eyepiece of the 30" diameter "Challenger" Newtonian telescope and a variety of sophisticated amateur telescopes before returning to their campsites or homes. If you have never seen the the Milky Way under dark skies away from city light pollution, come visit us to see why astronomers have been traveling to Fremont Peak State Park for decades.

As part of our mission, we collaborate with schools in the Monterey Bay, Hollister, and San Francisco Bay area to tailor a rich educational experience for K-12 and college students, both through field trips to Fremont Peak, and classroom presentations. We also provide information for School Teachers  on ways to supplement their curriculum with local astronomy-related resources.  FPOA provides Salinas-based Hartnell College students internship opportunities as part of their Science/Math Summer Internship Program.  You can read about the 2008 program here.

Besides the public and educators, FPOA serves professional and serious amateur astronomers, philanthropists, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation.  Here is more information on our business model and values.

Fremont Peak Observatory opened in 1986, and has operated every summer since, despite having battled the frequently brutal weather on the 3,000 foot peak. Devoted volunteer astronomers continue to maintain the observatory and "Challenger" telescope, contributing time, energy, and money, to keep Fremont Peak Observatory one of the finest amateur-operated astronomy centers in the United States.

The Observatory is open to the public for scheduled viewing and educational programs from April through October on Saturday evenings that don't conflict with a full moon. 

Join FPOA now

Donate


Contact Fremont Peak Observatory

Recorded Message: 831-623-2465
Email: info at fpoa dot net
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1376
San Juan Bautista, California 95045
831-623-2465

Typical hours of operation
(Varies depending on weather and availability)
6 PM to midnight on public program days.
Noon to midnight on days of solar programs.
At other times leave a message on our answering machine.

Latitude and Longitude:
36.7602° N 121.4987° W
36° 45.614' N 121° 29.922' W
36° 45' 36.8" N 121° 29' 55.4" W

Testimonials from some of our fans...
Class Thank-You Note


Other Contacts


Fremont Peak State Park:
831-623-4255 or Web Site
Camping Reservations (Primitive):
     $15 peak, $11 non-peak.
800-444-7275 or ReserveAmerica
Class Thanks-You Note

Information for Visitors

Information for Astronomers

Weather Resources for Fremont Peak


Copyright © 2009 Fremont Peak Observatory Association
Last updated: 04/09/2011
Web site by Doug Brown