Welcome to the Sonoma County Astronomical Society (SCAS)

We meet at 7:30 PM on the second Wednesday of each month (except August)
at Proctor Terrace School, 1171 Bryden Lane, Santa Rosa, CA map.

Each meeting features a guest speaker, observing highlights and club news.

You are most welcome to attend.

Who We Are

Our membership consists of astronomy and science enthusiasts of all ages, both amateur and professional.
The purpose of the club is to:

Promote an interest in astronomy
Offer educational lectures on astronomy and the sciences that enhance our understanding
Provide an experience of the wonders of the night sky to the Sonoma County public
Encourage young people's interest in astronomy and science education with our Striking Sparks program

Join us! See Membership for details.

School Astronomy Nights

These are held on request of schools in Sonoma County. We provide an introductory in-class PowerPoint presentation, and several club members bring telescopes to the school for night sky viewing. There is no charge for a School Astronomy Night, but they are on a "first come, first served" basis.

Contact Activities@sonomaskies.org for more information.

Striking Sparks Telescope Awards Program

One of our goals is to fuel the imagination of young people. Each year students submit essays explaining why they want a telescope. Telescopes are awarded to those entering the best essays.

Fall is the time to start thinking about your essay, attend meetings and star parties. See our Striking Sparks page for more information and How to Enter.

To further support youthful star-gazers, SCAS encourages our Young Astronomers to join us at the Robert Ferguson Observatory and to participate in local star parties. See the Young Astronomers page to learn more.

We really appreciate the role teachers play by nominating students and evaluating their essays. We could not
do this program without teacher support.

News and Newsletters

See why folks enjoy our award-winning newsletter Sonoma Skies
—Voted "Outstanding Astronomy Newsletter" by the
Astronomical League

Follow SCAS on Facebook

Yahoo group: Arrange to meet with other members for observing and post observing logs.

Astronomy Links

Sonoma County and Bay Area Organizations:

Robert Ferguson Observatory at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Kenwood
Planetarium at Santa Rosa Junior College
"What Physicists Do" lectures at Sonoma State University
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Astronomical Association of Northern California

See our Links page for:

Observing information
How to get started in astronomy
Equipment, vendors and reviews
Online astronomy education

Banner and nebula images at top of pages courtesy NASA and hubblesite.org

About SCAS

SCAS was founded in 1974 and has about 150 members from all walks of life. We share a common interest—
our love of astronomy.

We are supporting members of the Robert Ferguson Observatory, the Night Sky Network, the International
Dark-Sky Association and the Astronomical League.