Best of 2003: Best East County Stargazing

Tierra del Sol Observing Site
www.sdaa.org

This is the best place to get acquainted with the night sky and the local amateur astronomers who are passionate about it. The San Diego Astronomy Association hosts free public star parties during the dark of the moon each month on a 10-acre site next to the Mexican border, just west of Jacumba. Many small countries don't have observatories as impressive as some installed on the property, and members set up portable telescopes on two long concrete strips. Once darkness falls, they welcome visitors to look through the equipment, and they take pleasure in answering questions.