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.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, March 7, 2024 - 2024 STEM Night at Kennett Middle School, Landenberg, PA 19350. The event is scheduled 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. EST.
Friday, March 8, 2024 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 - CCAS Monthly Meeting, in person (as well as via Zoom) at West Chester University’s Merion Science Center, Room 113. Member meet & greet, 7:00-7:30 pm. Meeting starts at 7:30 pm. CCAS Member Speaker: Dr. Don Miller, NASA Ambassador & CCAS Member, "Could Extraterrestrial Life Exist in the Universe?-Scientific & Philosophical Considerations (Part 2)."
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - Introductory Astronomy Class: Spaceship Earth—the Sun and its effects on the Earth. Class is in-person at Pierce Middle School, West Chester, PA, starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT. Visit the Chester County Lifelong Learning website to register online.
Sunday, March 24, 2024 - Solar Observing & Pre-Eclipse Program, Exton Public Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA 19341. The event is scheduled 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. EDT.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 - Introductory Astronomy Class: Our Moon—Phases and Faces. Class is in-person at Pierce Middle School, West Chester, PA, starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT. Visit the Chester County Lifelong Learning website to register online.
Friday, March 29, 2024 - Star Party at Tyler Arboretum (Rain Date Saturday 30th). 515 Painter Road, Media, PA 19063. The event is scheduled 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. EDT.
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 - Introductory Astronomy Class: The Other Kids on the Block—The Planets. Class is in-person at Pierce Middle School, West Chester, PA, starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT. Visit the Chester County Lifelong Learning website to register online.
Monday, April 8, 2024 - Total Solar Eclipse. Hibernia Park or Exton Park.
Friday, April 12, 2024 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
Saturday, April 13, 2024 - Star Party, Beaver Creek Elementary School, Downingtown, PA. The event is scheduled 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. EDT.
Sunday, April 14, 2024 - Observing Event at Sacred Heart Academy, 480 S Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010. The event is scheduled 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. EDT.
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 - Introductory Astronomy Class: Observing Basics, Star Charts and Planetarium Software. Class is in-person at Pierce Middle School, West Chester, PA, starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT. Visit the Chester County Lifelong Learning website to register online.
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 - CCAS Monthly Meeting, Merion Science Center, Room 113. 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. Featured Speaker: CCAS Member Roger Kennedy will present "Bringing Solar Science to the General Public".
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 - Introductory Astronomy Class: Observing Equipment, Binoculars, and Telescopes. Class is in-person at Pierce Middle School, West Chester, PA, starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT. Visit the Chester County Lifelong Learning website to register online.
Friday, April 26, 2024 - Observing Event with Atglen Public Library at Wolf's Hollow Park, 1399 Schoff Road, Atglen, PA 19310. The event is scheduled 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. EDT.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Introductory Astronomy Class: Beyond Naked Eye Observing (deep sky stuff). Class is in-person at Pierce Middle School, West Chester, PA, starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT. Visit the Chester County Lifelong Learning website to register online.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Walk With the Third Quarter Moon at Paoli Battlefield Park, Monument & Wayne Avenues, Malvern, PA 19355. The event is scheduled 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. EDT.
Friday, May 10, 2024 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - CCAS Monthly Meeting, in person (as well as via Zoom) at West Chester University’s Merion Science Center, Room 113. Member meet & greet, 7:00-7:30 pm. Meeting starts at 7:30 pm. Featured Speaker: Dr. Erika Nesvold will present "Off-Earth Ethics: Learning from History to Build a Better Future in Space."
Astronomy Video of the Month: What's Up for February 2024?
What are some skywatching highlights in March 2024? Jupiter plows through the Pleiades on March 14, a chance to spot Mercury at month's end along with a subtle lunar eclipse, and a comet worth keeping an eye on!Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What's Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/whats-up-skywatching-tips-from-nasa.
The society schedules monthly observing sessions in the Myrick Conservation Center of the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance. 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 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.
CCAS has partnered with Chester County Lifelong Learning to offer
a six-week program meeting Wednesday nights starting on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. For more information, contact our Education Co-Chairs. Learn more about the location, the topics covered, and how to register on the 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.
Upcoming Nights Out
Thursday, March 7, 2024 - 2024 STEM Night at Kennett Middle School, Landenberg, PA 19350. The event is scheduled 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. EST.
Sunday, March 24, 2024 - Solar Observing & Pre-Eclipse Program, Exton Public Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA 19341. The event is scheduled 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. EDT.
Friday, March 8, 2024 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
Friday, March 29, 2024 - Star Party at Tyler Arboretum (Rain Date Saturday 30th). 515 Painter Road, Media, PA 19063. The event is scheduled 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. EDT.
Monday, April 8, 2024 - Total Solar Eclipse. Hibernia Park or Exton Park.
Friday, April 12, 2024 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
Saturday, April 13, 2024 - Star Party, Beaver Creek Elementary School, Downingtown, PA. The event is scheduled 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. EDT.
Sunday, April 14, 2024 - Observing Event at Sacred Heart Academy, 480 S Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010. The event is scheduled 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. EDT.
Friday, April 26, 2024 - Observing Event with Atglen Public Library at Wolf's Hollow Park, 1399 Schoff Road, Atglen, PA 19310. The event is scheduled 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. EDT.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Walk With the Third Quarter Moon at Paoli Battlefield Park, Monument & Wayne Avenues, Malvern, PA 19355. The event is scheduled 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. EDT.
Friday, May 10, 2024 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. 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 2023, 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. To locate the planetarium, view the campus map.
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 includes 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 WCU Public Planetarium Shows webpage.