SCAS Events

SCAS Monthly Meetings

Meetings are held at 7:30 PM on the second Wednesday of each month at Proctor Terrace Elementary School (located at the corner of Bryden and Grosse Streets—just off Fourth Street) in Santa Rosa (map).

Meetings are open to everyone—guests are welcome!

The meetings include lectures, demonstrations and visual presentations on the space sciences and related subjects. See Monthly Speaker for the upcoming topic.

Community Activities, Public Outreach, and Schools

Star Parties

One of the stated purposes of the Sonoma County Astronomical Society is to: “foster interest in astronomy and science.” Throughout each year volunteers from our organization bring their personal telescopes and binoculars and provide a “Star Party” for schools or private groups who request this service.

No fee is charged for these services, however, it is not uncommon for private groups to offer our volunteers dinner or some token of appreciation.

Presentations

In addition to evening telescope viewing, volunteers can provide a classroom or group slide show presentation or hands-on activity, either in conjunction with a star party or as an informational discussion without telescope viewing.

To inquire about available dates for a star party and/or an informational presentation, contact Activities@sonomaskies.org

Sidewalk Astronomy

In the spirit of the original San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers, we do “sidewalk astronomy." Volunteers set up their telescopes in public areas at various places around the county and invite passers-by to view the moon, planets, and other objects. We also do this when an unusual phenomenon is occurring, such as a bright comet or lunar eclipse.

Club volunteers participate at Santa Rosa Junior College’s "Day Under the Oaks"; the annual "Astronomy Day" celebration; and other public gatherings such as the downtown market.

Young Astronomers

We have a group of younger members which meets during the school year at Robert Ferguson Observatory in Kenwood (map).

Every year the Sonoma County Astronomical Society awards telescopes to the area students who write the best essays explaining why they want a telescope. Click here for more information about our Striking Sparks or Young Astronomers programs.

Yosemite Star Party

Sponsored by the National Park and held on a summer weekend at Glacier Point.
The date is announced in late Spring. Members only.

Annual Star-B-Que

Each August we meet at Robert Ferguson Observatory in Sugarloaf State Park for a day of socializing, hiking and observing. The Observatory telescopes are available for solar and evening viewing. Many members and young astronomers bring their own telescopes. Members only.