PRESS RELEASE – For Immediate Release
July 6, 2011
Media Contact:
Kimberly Bowers
760-366-5440
kimberly@mojavedesertlandtrust.org
Dark Skies and Bright Fireballs at the Fifth Annual Perseid Meteor Shower Star Party!
Joshua Tree, CA – On Saturday, August 13th, The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) will host one of the brightest events of the summer – The Perseid Meteor Shower Star Party at the Integratron in Landers, CA. This year’s event is sponsored by Joshua Tree National Park in celebration of their 75th Anniversary. The event runs from 7:00 p.m. until midnight, and overnight camping at the Integratron is available.
The Perseids are considered by many to be the best meteor shower of the year, sometimes peaking at 50 per hour. Attendees can expect a great night for meteor-watching, plus The Southern California Desert Video Astronomers will project spectacular live images from their deep-space telescopes onto the side of the Integratron building, using powerful telescopes and a state-of-the-art projection system. These images will provide a peek at galaxies and stars well beyond our visual spectrum!
The fifth annual Perseid Meteor Shower Star Party is sponsored by Joshua Tree National Park in celebration of their 75th Anniversary. A Park Service Ranger will provide a fun and educational program on the desert's famous night skies and Park Staff will be present to commemorate Southern California’s greatest treasure! Additionally, guests will enjoy beautiful, ambient live music performed by Clive Wright, a delectable dessert and coffee bar, and the Integratron’s signature experience – a Sound Bath in the acoustically perfect sound chamber!
Jupiter projected onto the Integratron, photo courtesy of David McChesney
The Integratron is an icon to the Space Age and a perfect venue for star and meteor gazing. Its dome structure was built in the 1950s by aerospace engineer George Van Tassel, who claimed that extraterrestrials provided him with the all-wood design. The Integratron’s Sound Bath is performed inside this great wooden dome and includes the sonic sensation of 9 quartz crystal bowls, each in a different key.
Tickets are $40 per person for current MDLT members, and $55 for non-members (includes an MDLT membership). Kids 12 and under are FREE! Overnight camping is an additional $30 per person and includes a continental breakfast. Space is limited and pre-registration is REQUIRED. THIS EVENT SELLS OUT QUICKLY, so reserve your spot(s) early by purchasing tickets at www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org or calling 760-366-5440.
A portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible as a donation to MDLT. The event benefits the Mojave Desert Land Trust’s efforts to preserve desert wilderness and beautiful night skies.
For more information on Mojave Desert Land Trust, visit www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org or call 760-366-5440. For more information on the Integratron, including directions, visit www.integratron.com or call 760-364-3126.
