The Chester County Astronomical Society was formed as a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and enjoyment of astronomy for the general public. The Society holds meetings (with member or guest speakers) and observing sessions once a month. Anyone who is interested in astronomy is welcome to attend meetings and become a member of the Society. In addition to the monthly meetings and observing sessions, the Society also provides a variety of services to the public, including astronomy classes as well as telescopes and expertise for "star parties" for school, scout, and other civic groups.

• Tuesday, May 8, 2012 - CCAS Monthly Meeting, Room 113, Merion Science Center (former Boucher Building), West Chester University. Meet & Greet over coffee and refreshments for members and non-members alike from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. The meeting starts immediately after at 7:30 p.m. CCAS Member Speaker: TBA.
• Friday, May 18, 2012 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BVA (inclement weather date May 19th). The observing session starts at sunset.
• Friday, June 22, 2012 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BVA (inclement weather date June 23rd). The observing session starts at sunset.
• Friday, July 20, 2012 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BVA (inclement weather date July 21, 2012). The observing session starts at sunset.
• Friday, August 17, 2012 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BVA (inclement weather date August 18, 2012). The observing session starts at sunset.

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The society schedules monthly observing sessions in the Myrick Conservation Center of the Brandywine Valley Association. The observing sessions, which are planned around the new moon, are open to the public and announced in the Society's newsletter, Observations. Owning a telescope or binoculars is not required; anyone interested in observing the heavens is welcome to show up. If you do have a telescope and need help using it, our observing sessions are a great place to practice and learn from other society members.

The Chester County Astronomical Society's regular monthly meetings include a presentation from an invited speaker or the demonstration of an astronomical project by one of the Society's members. After the presentation, a brief business session is held to review the status of society activities. Meetings typically last 1-1/2 to 2 hours including an informal conversation over refreshments before the start of each meeting.

The Society meets at 7:30 PM the second Tuesday of each month in Room MER113 in the Merion Science Center (former Boucher Building) at West Chester University (corner of South Church Street and Rosedale Avenue, West Chester, Pennsylvania). Click for Directions and Maps.

In the past, the Chester County Astronomical Society has sponsored astronomy courses open to the public several times per year. For 2012, CCAS is partnering with the Geology and Astronomy Department of West Chester University in Project ASTRO. For more information on Project ASTRO, visit the Sponsored Astronomy Classes page.

The Chester County Astronomical Society offers "nights out" to interested organizations including local schools, scouting groups, and other civic groups for the purpose of learning more about the heavens. For example, scouting groups often hold them to earn badges for their members. If your organization is interested in hosting a "night out", please contact us.

• Friday, May 18, 2012 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BVA (inclement weather date May 19th). The observing session starts at sunset.
• Friday, June 22, 2012 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BVA (inclement weather date June 23rd). The observing session starts at sunset.
• Friday, July 20, 2012 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BVA (inclement weather date July 21, 2012). The observing session starts at sunset.
• Friday, August 17, 2012 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BVA (inclement weather date August 18, 2012). The observing session starts at sunset.

Star parties are national and regional events similar to "nights out" and open to the public. They are held throughout the year. For a list of upcoming national events in 2012, visit the star parties page.

The West Chester University Department of Geology & Astronomy hosts a planetarium show open to the general public on the 2nd Friday of each month. The WCU Planetarium is located in the Schmucker Science Center on Church St. For a campus map, click here.


The shows start promptly at 7:00 P.M. ET and run approximately one hour in length. Late arrivals will not be permitted to enter the planetarium. Each show will include an overview of what is visible in the current night sky and a special focus on some aspect of astronomy.

Reservations are required because the planetarium has limited seating. For contact information, visit the planetarium's webpage.