The Local Group Astronomy Club of Santa Clarita Valley will host a free public star viewing party at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area on Saturday, July 7, starting at 5 p.m.

The party will launch with a telescope clinic for anyone who needs help setting up their gear. Bring out that old scope and club members will help you get it working.

A large number of amateur astronomers with many telescopes will be set up. There will also be some solar telescopes to view the sun.

Sunset is at 8:05 p.m. so participants will be looking at night sky objects around that time, including planets, nebulae and galaxies.

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area is located at 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Road, Agua Dulce 91390. The former outlaw hideout is also renowned as a location for the “Star Trek” and “Westworld” TV series and films including “Dracula” (the Bela Lugosi classic), “The Ten Commandments,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Planet of the Apes” and “The Flintstones.”

Enter the park via the main gate, turn left at the ranger station and continue to the end of the road past the large rocks. Park in the lot next to the big rocks. All county park rules apply (including no alcohol).

For more information about the star party, call 661-857-7838, email astronomers@lgscv.org or visit http://www.lgscv.org/home/index.

Sunset at Vasquez Rocks by Laura Wambsgans