Feb. 1, Fri., 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Artificial Light and Nocturnal Mammals
Presented by: Ketih Tremor, Mammalogist San Diego Natural History Museum


Early mammals evolved in the Jurassic period, from 145 to 200 million years ago, adapting to a nocturnal lifestyle to avoid the predatory dinosaurs that dominated the daytime. One such adaptation is the mammalian eye, modified for night vision by size, shape, and structure giving it the ability to see in dark conditions.  Another adaption is the facial whiskers of rodents, which contain hundreds of nerve cells per whisker allowing the animal to detect precise location, size, texture and other details of an object.  With artificial lighting now dominating dark skies in many places, are these animals adapting or are they avoiding the changing conditions?  NM$12, M$10, V$8   Register: www.abdnha.org, Nature Center, or call 760-767-3098.
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Feb. 1, Fri., 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The Night Sky Photography of Kevin Key
Presented by: Kevin Key

Kevin Key is a photographer who has developed an interesting style of night photography, with dark night skyscapes, video, and time lapse.  His work is particularly interesting because he often captures both the land and the night sky.  This is a presentation that will be of interest to those who simply wish to enjoy his images as well as to photographers, as he describes how he captures his images, and with an informal workshop planned outside after the lecture if weather allows.  NM$12, M$10, V$8   Register: www.abdnha.org, Nature Center, or call 760-767-3098.
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Feb. 2,  Sat. 6:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.   
Fonts Point Sunrise Rim Walk  
Leader: Terry Hunefeld, Naturalist, ABDNHA Volunteer

Join Terry as the rising sun lights up the Borrego Badlands for this pleasant 3.5 hour cross-country nature and geology amble along the Font’s Point escarpment.   You will explore geological processes, climate changes and desert life adaptations as we look down into two million years of pre-history.  This is a moderate 3 mile interpretive walk, much of it across slightly difficult cross-country (no trail) rolling terrain, with lots of stopss to soak-in the views and talk about what we’re seeing.  Water, good hiking shoes, hats and a 4-wheel drive high-clearance vehicle are mandatory (no exceptions). Binoculars will be helpful.  Meet Terry at 5:55 a.m. at the entrance to Font’s Point Wash (mile marker 29.3 on Hwy S-22).  Limited to 10 participants.  No charge. Maximum 10 people.  
Call to 760-767-3098 register for this program after December 10.  


Feb. 2, Sat., 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
The Night is When We Sleep
Presented by: Sara C. Mednick Ph.D.


With a Ph.D. in sleep science from Harvard University, post-doctoral work at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and with her present position as associate professor of cognitive science and director of the Sleep and Cognition Lab at UC Irving, Sara Mednick is an expert on the complexities of sleep, one of the most basic of human functions. The night is when we sleep.  But is it really?   What happens when the concept of nighttime is disrupted by social activities, hours of work, stress, or artificial light?  What exactly is sleep?   How much do we need and what happens to our physical and cognitive functions if we don’t get enough of it?     How is sleep affected by the color of light?  What about aging?  Can we vary the times when we sleep?   What is Circadian Rhythm and what is its role in sleep?  And what about those cultures have a daily siesta?  Can daytime naps make up for nighttime sleep?  NM$12, M$10, V$8   Register: www.abdnha.org, Nature Center, or call 760-767-3098.
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Feb. 2, Sat., 7:30 p.m.
Stargazing Program: Borrego’s Dark Skies!
Presenters: Astronomer Dr. Jim and Grace Rickard

Identify the constellations in our clear desert skies. Telescopes provided for observing objects such as the Orion nebula and the Andromeda galaxy. Bring binoculars if you have them and warm clothes.  Sponsored by ABDNHA, there is no charge or reservations necessary for this excellent program. Park at the Lutheran Church, located on Church Lane. If you need directions, please call the Nature Center, 760-767-3098. Cancelled in case of heavy cloud cover.  
Call to 760-767-3098 register for this program after December 10.  


Feb. 3, Sun., 11 a.m. – Noon
Radio Astronomy History of Clark Dry Lake
Presented by: Astronomer Dr. Jim Rickard

For 35 years, Clark Dry Lake was an important location for radio telescope research. Dr. Rickard worked as a staff astronomer at Clark Lake for 9 years. Learn why the Clark Lake site was selected, the goals of the radio telescope project, how the telescope was constructed, how it worked, and why the project was terminated. ABDNHA Library. NM $12, M $10, V $8. Space limited, call to reserve, 760-767-3098.  NM$12, M$10, V$8   Register: www.abdnha.org, Nature Center, or call 760-767-3098.
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Feb. 3, Sun., 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Hike and Tour: Radio Astronomy History of Clark Dry Lake
Leader: Astronomer Dr. Jim Rickard

Dr. Rickard will conduct a tour of the Clark Lake site. There is no charge for the tour, but you must register separately from the lecture. The tour is limited to just 22 people. The tour includes driving to the gravel loader on Rock house Canyon Road by Clark Lake and an optional two-mile roundtrip walk to the site of the laboratories in the middle of the lakebed. The tour leaves ABDNHA at 12:30 p.m., and will take approx. one hour.  No charge but prior registration is required.  Maximum 22 people.
Call to 760-767-3098 register for this program after December 10.