Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy
Encyclopedia
The Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy (MIRA) is a privately established, non-profit, professional organization for astronomical education and research
, near Monterey, California
. It is located adjacent to the campus of the California State University, Monterey Bay
, within the city limits of Marina, California
. (MIRA is not affiliated with CSUMB
.)
The acronym "MIRA" was chosen because of the unusual star
of that name.
MIRA maintains two observatories: the Weaver Student Observatory
adjacent to the in-town offices of MIRA, and the Oliver Observing Station
in the Los Padres National Forest
.
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
, near Monterey, California
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
. It is located adjacent to the campus of the California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Monterey Bay is a small public university in the California State University system on the site of the former U.S. Army base Fort Ord, on the Central Coast of California. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.CSUMB was founded in 1994 with...
, within the city limits of Marina, California
Marina, California
Marina is a city in Monterey County, California, United States. The population was 19,718 at the 2010 census. Marina is located along the central coast of California, west of Salinas, and 8 miles north of Monterey, at an elevation of 43 feet . Marina was incorporated in 1975 and is the newest city...
. (MIRA is not affiliated with CSUMB
California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Monterey Bay is a small public university in the California State University system on the site of the former U.S. Army base Fort Ord, on the Central Coast of California. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.CSUMB was founded in 1994 with...
.)
The acronym "MIRA" was chosen because of the unusual star
Mira
Mira also known as Omicron Ceti , is a red giant star estimated 200-400 light years away in the constellation Cetus. Mira is a binary star, consisting of the red giant Mira A along with Mira B. Mira A is also an oscillating variable star and was the first non-supernova variable star discovered,...
of that name.
MIRA maintains two observatories: the Weaver Student Observatory
Weaver Student Observatory
The Bette M. and William R. Weaver Student Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy...
adjacent to the in-town offices of MIRA, and the Oliver Observing Station
Oliver Observing Station
The Oliver Observing Station, named after Barney Oliver, is a privately owned, professional astronomical observatory owned and operated by Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy...
in the Los Padres National Forest
Los Padres National Forest
Los Padres National Forest is a forest located in southern and central California, which includes most of the mountainous land along the California coast from Ventura to Monterey, extending inland...
.