By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Night sky in  Borrego Springs, by Dennis Mammana

November 18, 2020 (San Diego) – San Diego Supervisors today voted to approve amendments to the county’s Light Pollution ordinance which will provide “Dark Sky Community” designation to both the Julian and Borrego Springs community planning areas.  The action aims to prevent light pollution, enhancing astronomy viewing and related tourism.

The action comes after the Julian Dark Sky Network asked Supervisors in 2018 to create a way for Julian to meet International Dark Sky Association recognition. Borrego Springs was the first California community to receive that designation in 2009.

​"Our community is part of the 1% of the U.S. that can still see the Milky Way. Our distance from the urban glow of San Diego's skies and the surrounding mountains help with our sky quality, but preservation must be intentional," the Julian Dark Sky Network's website states.

East County News Service

July 2, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - The San Diego Astronomy Association hosts events throughout the year.  You can visit their calendar or scroll down for events that the SDAA will be participating in or sponsoring in the next month–including several at East County locations. Inclement weather may postpone or cancel outdoor events, so check with the SDAA or the event coordinator to be sure the event is still scheduled.

• Stars in the Park
• Stars at Mission Trails
• Stars at Sycamore Canyon
• Stars at West Sycamore
• Program Meetings
• Tierra del Sol (TDS)
• Julian Star Fest

November 14, 2013 (San Diego) -- Join Mission Trails Regional Park's resident stargazer, George Vargas, for a "star party" on Saturday November 16 from 5 to 8 p.m.  Meet at the far end of the Kumeyaay Campground day use parking lot, where a telescope will be available to veiw the nighttime sky. 

The moon will be one day short of being Full so it will contribute to light pollution. The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and its companion M32 are well in position for viewing. Light from these two objects takes about 2.5 – 2.9 million years to reach Earth. The Double Cluster in Perseus will also be visible be in the northeastern sky.

September 21, 2012 (Lemon Grove) -- Join the members of the Grossmont Symphony Orchestra & Master Chorale in the second concert of the 2012-2013 performance season entitled THE PLANETS—a multimedia performance combining music with high definition graphics & animations from NASA and EUROSPACE. 

 
 August 22, 2011 (Julian, CA) --  Organizers of the fourth annual Julian StarFest announced the popular astronomy event will be held at the Menghini Winery from Thursday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Aug. 28. Presented by the San Diego Astronomy Association and the community of Julian, the event draws thousands of Southern Californians to Julian to enjoy the dark skies.