Starry, starry night

Let's hope for clear skies on Saturday, April 21, when the Foothill College Observatory shows off its brand-new telescope. I love a good star party on a warm night -- so, while you're at it, hope for high-ish temps.

The harsh lights of suburbia aren't conducive to star-watching where I live, so quiet Los Altos Hills makes a nice change. I've had some great evenings at summer star parties at Hidden Villa: you can stretch out on blankets on the grass, buy granola bars, and share telescopes with your friendly fellow skywatchers.

At Foothill you'll also get to see the new 16-inch, computer-automated telescope that was recently donated to the observatory. And the Peninsula Astronomical Society will provide smaller telescopes, training them on Venus, Saturn and the mysterious deep sky. The rest of us who are less trained will happily point out passing airplanes.

The festivities go from 8 to 11 p.m. I'll bring the granola bars.

Photo courtesy of Scott Liddell at morgueFile.com. Yes, I am aware that this is the moon, not a star.