Calling all asteroids

What better way to start your summer than visiting a couple of asteroids?

Thanks to JPL/NASA’s Dawn Mission spacecraft, launched nearly four years ago, you can do just that. As the intrepid interplanetary explorer closes in on the asteroid belt, here’s a chance to learn a bit more about its two principal targets and what they can tell us about our own world: the giant asteroids known as Ceres and Vesta.

It’s all part of the Chautauqua Series of educational presentations by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, and sponsored by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It takes place this Tuesday, June 21—and every third Tuesday—at Temescal Gateway Park’s Woodland Hall. Meet the neighbors, share a cup of coffee, and explore the universe together.

Both the 90-minute program and parking are free.

Temescal Gateway Park is located at 15601 Sunset Blvd. in Pacific Palisades. Full information and directions to the park may be found here, or you can call (310) 858-7272 ext.131.

Posted 6/16/11