Calendar of Society & Celestial Events
A Dynamic Organization...
The Chester County Astronomical Society maintains an active calendar of meetings and events, most of which are open to the public. Members-only events are indicated below.
Please note: events may be cancelled or rescheduled at a moment's notice due to inclement weather, illness, or for other reasons outside the Society's control. All members are notified as quickly as possible if an adjustment is made to the calendar.
January 2025
3rd • Asteroid Pallas is in conjunction with the Sun, 3 a.m. EST.
3rd • Quadrantid meteor shower peaks.
3rd • The Moon passes 1.4° south of Venus, 10 a.m. EST.
4th • Quadrantids Meteor Shower peaks. The Quadrantids is an above average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Boötes, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
5th • The Moon passes 1.1° north of Neptune, 10 a.m. EST.
6th • FIRST QUARTER MOON (6:56 p.m. EST).
9th • The Moon passes 4° north of Uranus, 11 a.m. EST.
9th • Venus is at greatest eastern elongation (47°), midnight EST.
10th • The Moon passes 5° north of Jupiter, 6 p.m. EST.
13th • FULL MOON (5:26 p.m. EST), the Wolf Moon.
13th • The Moon passes 0.2° north of Mars, 11 p.m. EST.
14th • CCAS Monthly Meeting, Room 113, Merion Science Center (former Boucher Building), West Chester University & ONLINE via Zoom. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. EST. Guest Speaker: Dr. Joel Leja, Dept of Astronomy and Physics, Penn State University, “Early Galaxy Formation and ‘Universe-breaking’ Galaxies and their Implications for Cosmology.”
15th • Mars is at opposition, 10 p.m. EST.
19th • Venus passes 3° north of Saturn, midnight EST.
20th • Open call for articles and photographs for the February 2025 edition of Observations.
21st • Pluto is in conjunction with the Sun, 7 a.m. EST.
21st • Mars passes 2° south of Pollux, noon EST.
21st • THIRD QUARTER MOON (3:30 p.m. EST).
21st • Deadline for newsletter submissions for the February 2025 edition of Observations.
24th • Planetarium show at the Mather Planetarium at WCU, "The Wonders of the Distant Universe from the Webb Space Telescope,” in the Mather Planetarium." For more information, visit the WCU Public Planetarium Shows webpage.
29th • NEW MOON (7:35 a.m. EST).
31st • The Moon passes 1.1° north of Saturn, midnight EST.
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February 2025
1st • The Moon passes 2° south of Venus, 3 p.m. EST.
1st • The Moon passes 1.4° north of Neptune, 6 p.m. EST.
1st • The Moon is at perigee (228,327 miles from Earth), 9:47 p.m. EST.
3rd • Venus passes 4° north of Neptune, 3 p.m. EST.
4th • Jupiter is stationary, 8 a.m. EST.
5th • FIRST QUARTER MOON (3:02 AM EST).
5th • The Moon passes 5° north of Uranus, 4 p.m. EST.
6th • The Moon passes 5° north of Jupiter, 11 p.m. EST.
9th • Mercury is in superior conjunction, 7 a.m. EST.
9th • The Moon passes 0.8° north of Mars, 3 p.m. EST.
11th • CCAS Monthly Meeting, Room 112, Merion Science Center (former Boucher Building), West Chester University ONLINE with Zoom. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. EST. Guest Speaker: Gurbir Singh, a UK-based space science author and expert on India's emerging and impressive space program. His presentation is titled "India in Space: Past, Present and Future."
12th • FULL MOON (8:53 a.m. EST), the Snow Moon.
14th • Dwarf planet Ceres is in conjunction with the Sun, 5 p.m. EST.
14th • Venus is at greatest brilliancy (magnitude -4.9), 6 p.m. EST.
17th • The Moon passes 0.3° south of Spica, 8 a.m. EST.
17th • The Moon is at apogee (251,582 miles from Earth), 8:10 p.m. EST.
20th • THIRD QUARTER MOON (12:32 PM EST).
20th • Open call for articles and photographs for the March 2025 edition of Observations.
21st • The Moon passes 0.4° south of Antares, 4 a.m. EST.
21st • Planetarium show at the Mather Planetarium at WCU, "Total Eclipse of the Moon." For more information, visit the WCU Public Planetarium Shows webpage.
24th • Mars is stationary, 5 a.m. EST.
25th • The Moon passes 1.0° south of Pluto, 5 a.m. EST.
25th • Night Sky Network Webinar: JWST: Revealing the Invisible Universe with Joseph DePasquale. Join the NASA Night Sky Network on Tuesday, February 25, at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (9:00 p.m. Eastern) along with Joseph DePasquale, where we’ll discuss the James Webb Space Telescope and the two-plus years of exciting results we’ve received here on Earth.
26th • Deadline for newsletter submissions for the March 2024 edition of Observations.
27th • NEW MOON (7:44 PM EST).
27th • Venus is stationary, 10 p.m. EST.
28th • The Moon passes 0.4° south of Mercury, 11 p.m. EST.
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March 2025
1st • The Moon passes 1.6° north of Neptune, 4 a.m. EST.
1st • The Moon is at perigee (224,914 miles from Earth), 4:21 p.m. EST.
1st • The Moon passes 6° south of Venus, 6 p.m. EST.
4th • The Moon passes 5° north of Uranus, 11 p.m. EST.
6th • The Moon passes 6° north of Jupiter, 7 a.m. EST.
6th • FIRST QUARTER MOON (11:31 AM EST).
6th • 2025 STEM Night at Kennett Middle School, Landenberg, PA 19350. Event scheduled for 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST (with a 5:00 p.m. arrival for setup).
8th • Mercury is at greatest eastern elongation (18°), 1 a.m. EST.
8th • The Moon passes 1.7° north of Mars, 7 p.m. EST.
9th • Start Daylight Saving Time - Set Clocks Ahead 1 Hour at 2:00 a.m. ET.
9th • Mercury passes 6° south of Venus, 7 a.m. EDT.
11th • CCAS Monthly Meeting, Merion Science Center, Room 113. CCAS Monthly Meeting, in person (as well as via Zoom) at West Chester University’s Merion Science Center, Room 112. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Guest Speaker: Marc Gagné, Professor, Dept. of Earth and Space Sciences, West Chester University, “Of Exoplanets and Cosmology: how JWST is probing exoplanet habitability and searching for the first stars and galaxies.”
11th • NSN Webinar Series: Spritacular: Electrical Discharges Above Thunderstorms with Dr. Burcu Kosar. Join the NASA Night Sky Network at 6:00 PM Pacific Time (9:00 PM Eastern) with Dr. Burcu Kosar where we’ll discuss Spritacular, a NASA citizen science project that gathers public observations of Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) above thunderstorms to advance research and connect citizen scientists with experts.
12th • Saturn is in conjunction with the Sun, 6 a.m. EDT.
12th • Asteroid Flora is at opposition, 6 p.m. EDT.
14th • FULL MOON (2:54 AM EDT), the Worm Moon.
14th • Total lunar eclipse, 3 a.m. EDT.
14th • Mercury is stationary, 5 p.m. EDT.
15th • Solar Observation, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT. Rachel Kohl Community Library, Glen Mills, PA.
16th • The Moon passes 0.4° south of Spica, 4 p.m. EDT.
17th • Solar Observation, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. EDT. WCU campus near Student Center.
17th • The Moon is at apogee (252,124 miles from Earth), 12:37 p.m. EDT.
19th • Neptune is in conjunction with the Sun, 7 p.m. EDT.
19th • Introduction to Astronomy Class: Spaceship Earth—the Sun and its effects on the Earth, Room C106, Peirce Middle School, West Chester, 7 p.m. EDT.
20th • Vernal Equinox (northern spring/southern autumn begins), occurs at 5:01 a.m. EDT. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world.
20th • Open call for articles and photographs for the April 2025 edition of Observations.
22nd • Venus is in inferior conjunction, 9 p.m. EDT.
22nd • THIRD QUARTER (7:29 am EDT).
24th • Mercury is in inferior conjunction, 4 p.m. EDT.
26th • Deadline for newsletter submissions for the April 2025 edition of Observations.
26th • Introduction to Astronomy Class: Our Moon—Phases and Faces, Room C106, Peirce Middle School, West Chester, 7 p.m. EDT.
28th • The Moon passes 9° south of Venus, 10 a.m. EDT.
28th • CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, Brandywine Red Clay Alliance. The observing session starts at sundown.
28th • Mather Planetarium at West Chester University Show: “ “Eclipse Lite: A Partial Solar Eclipse,”,” in the Schmucker Science Building. The show starts at 7 p.m. EDT and runs approximately one hour in length. For more information and reservations, visit the WCU Public Planetarium Shows webpage.
29th • NEW MOON (6:57 AM EDT).
29th • Partial solar eclipse, 7 a.m. EDT.
29th • Solar Observation, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT. Rachel Kohl Community Library, Glen Mills, PA.
30th • Venus passes 10° north of Saturn, 2 a.m. EDT.
31st • Solar Observation, 12 to 1 p.m. at Middletown Free Library Homeschool.
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April 2025
1st • The Moon passes 5° north of Uranus, 10 a.m. EDT.
2nd • Introduction to Astronomy Class: Other Kids on the Block—The Planets. Room C106, Peirce Middle School, West Chester, 7 p.m. EDT.
2nd • The Moon passes 6° north of Jupiter, 8 p.m. EDT.
2nd • Mars passes 4° south of Pollux, 11 p.m. EDT.
4th • Observing Event at Sacred Heart Academy, 480 S Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010. The event is scheduled 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. EDT.
4th • FIRST QUARTER MOON (10:14 P.M. EDT).
5th • Solar Observing Event with Middletown Free Library Homeschool, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT.
5th • The Moon passes 2° north of Mars, 3 p.m. EDT.
5th • Observing Event with Atglen Public Library at Wolf's Hollow Park, 1399 Schoff Road, Atglen, PA 19310. The event is scheduled 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. EDT.
8th • 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: Dr. Roger Kennedy, CCAS member, solar astronomer, and science educator. “Bringing Solar Science to the General Public.”.
9th • Introduction to Astronomy Class: Obsserving Basics, Star Charts, and Planetarium Software. Room C106, Peirce Middle School, West Chester, 7 p.m. EDT.
11th • West Chester University Planetarium Show: “The Milky Way and Dark Skies,” in the Schmucker Science Building. The show starts at 7 p.m. and run approximately one hour in length. For more information and reservations, visit the WCU Public Planetarium Shows webpage.
12th • FULL MOON (8:22 P.M. EDT), the Pink Moon.
16th • Introduction to Astronomy Class: Observing Equipment, Binoculars, and Telescopes. Room C106, Peirce Middle School, West Chester, 7 p.m. EDT.
20th • Open call for articles and photographs for the May 2025 edition of Observations.
20th • LAST QUARTER MOON (9:35 P.M. EDT).
21st • Mercury is at greatest western elongation (27°), 3 p.m. EDT.
22nd • Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks. These meteors can produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds. The shower usually peaks on April 21 & 22, although some meteors can be visible from April 16 - 25. Look for meteors radiating from the constellation of Lyra after midnight.
23rd • Introduction to Astronomy Class: Beyond Naked-Eye Observing. Room C106, Peirce Middle School, West Chester, 7 p.m. EDT.
24th • The Moon passes 2° south of Venus, 9 p.m. EDT.
24th • The Moon passes 2° north of Saturn, midnight EDT.
25th • The Moon passes 1.9° north of Neptune, 6 a.m. EDT.
25th • CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
25th • The Moon passes 4° north of Mercury, 9 p.m. EDT.
26th • Deadline for newsletter submissions for the May 2025 edition of Observations.
26th • Solar Observing Event, CVT at Exton Park, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. EDT (Rain date: April 27th).
27th • Venus is at greatest brilliancy, 6 a.m. EDT.
27th • NEW MOON (3:31 P.M. EDT).
28th • The Moon passes 5° north of Uranus, 10 p.m. EDT.
28th • Venus passes 4° north of Saturn, 10 p.m. EDT.
30th • The Moon passes 5° north of Jupiter, 2 p.m. EDT.
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May 2025
2nd • Asteroid Vesta is at opposition, 2 p.m. EDT.
2nd • West Chester University Planetarium Show: “Meteor Showers Bring May Flowers,” in the Schmucker Science Building. The show starts at 7 p.m. and run approximately one hour in length. For more information and reservations, visit the WCU Public Planetarium Shows webpage.
3rd • The Moon passes 2° north of Mars, 7 p.m. EDT.
3rd • West Goshen Park Star Party. 1023 Fern Hill Road, West Chester, PA 19380. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. EDT.
3rd • Venus passes 2° north of Neptune, 11 p.m. EDT.
4th • FIRST QUARTER MOON (9:51 a.m. EDT).
5th • Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks. The shower's peak usually occurs around May 5th, however viewing should be good on any morning between May 4th and 7th. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Aquarius. Best viewing is usually to the east after midnight, far from city lights. Eta Aquarid meteors are known for their speed, with the meteors traveling at about 148,000 mph (66 km/s) into Earth's atmosphere. Fast meteors can leave glowing "trains" caused by incandescent bits of debris in the wake of the meteor. These trains can last for several seconds to minutes. In general, about 30 Eta Aquarid meteors can be seen per hour during their peak. The Eta Aquarids are particularly interesting because they are made up of particles that were shed by Halley's Comet several thousand years ago.
5th • Solar Observation, 12:00 pm. to 1:00 p.m. EDT. Middletown Free Library Homeschool.
12th • FULL MOON (12:55 p.m. EDT).
13th • CCAS Monthly Meeting, Room 112, Merion Science Center (former Boucher Building), West Chester University. Meet & Greet online for members from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. The meeting starts immediately after at 7:30 p.m. Guest Speaker: Dr. Julien de Wit, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), MIT, “Characterizing exoplanets with high-precision transit methods to measure biosignatures and assess potential habitability.”
14th • Solar Observation, 10:30 am. to 1:30 p.m. SRT Fricks Lock Trailhead, 500 Fricks Lock Rd, Pottstown, PA 19465 (Rain date May 15).
14th • Asteroid Juno is at opposition, 2 p.m. EDT.
17th • Uranus is in conjunction with the Sun, 8 p.m. EDT.
20th • LAST QUARTER MOON (7:58 A.M. EDT).
20th • Open call for articles and photographs for the June 2025 edition of Observations.
22nd • The Moon passes 3° north of Saturn, 2 p.m. EDT.
22nd • The Moon passes 2° north of Neptune, 5 p.m. EDT.
23rd • The Moon passes 4° north of Venus, 8 p.m. EDT.
26th • NEW MOON (11:02 P.M. EDT).
26th • Deadline for newsletter submissions for the June 2025 edition of Observations.
28th • The Moon passes 5° north of Jupiter, 9 a.m. EDT.
29th • Mercury is in superior conjunction, midnight EDT.
30th • CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
31st • Venus is at greatest western elongation (46°), midnight EDT.
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June 2025
1st • The Moon passes 1.4° north of Mars, 6 a.m. EDT.
2nd • FIRST QUARTER MOON (11:40 p.m. EDT).
8th • Mercury passes 2° north of Jupiter, 4 p.m. EDT.
11th • FULL MOON, the Strawberry Moon, (3:43 a.m. EDT).
16th • Mars passes 0.8° north of Regulus, midnight EDT.
18th • LAST QUARTER MOON (3:19 p.m. EDT).
18th • The Moon passes 3° north of Saturn, midnight EDT.
18th • The Moon passes 2° north of Neptune, midnight EDT.
19th-22nd • Cherry Springs Star Party. Presented by the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA. Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport, PA. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Mike Manigly.
20th • Open call for articles and photographs for the July 2025 edition of Observations.
20th • CCAS special observing event: Star Party with Chester County Parks and Coatsville Library, 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. EDT, at Hibernia Park. (Rain date: June 21st same time.) or more information, contact our Observing Chair, For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Mike Manigly.
20th • Friday Night Lights Star Party, 7:00-10:00 p.m. EDT, ChesLen Preserve, Coatesville, PA. This is a fundraiser for the Natural Lands Trust where music is provided. Several local astronomy clubs set up telescopes for the concert goers to view the night sky during the event. If you are not a member of CCAS you must purchase tickets from the Natural Lands Trust. CCAS members who want to assist with the astronomy portion of this event must bring a telescope or mounted astronomical binoculars to qualify for free admission. or more information, contact our Observing Chair, For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Mike Manigly.
20th • Solstice (northern summer/southern winter begins), 11 p.m. EDT. The North Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its northernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Cancer at 23.44 degrees north latitude. This is the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the northern hemisphere and the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the southern hemisphere.
21st • CCAS Special Observing Session "FamilyFest" at the American Helicopter Museum, West Chester, PA. from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Mike Manigly.
22nd • The Moon passes 7° north of Venus, 5 a.m. EDT.
22nd • Mercury passes 5° south of Pollux, 4 p.m. EDT.
22nd • The Moon passes 5° north of Uranus, midnight EDT.
24th • Jupiter is in conjunction with the Sun, 11 a.m. EDT.
25th • NEW MOON (6:31 a.m. EDT).
25th-29th • York County Spring Star Party. Susquehannock State Park, 1880 Park Dr, Drumore, PA 17518. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
26th • Deadline for newsletter submissions for the July 2025 edition of Observations.
27th • The Moon passes 3° north of Mercury, 2 a.m. EDT.
27th • CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, Brandywine Red Clay Alliance. The observing session starts at sunset.
29th • Saturn passes 1.0° south of Neptune, 4 a.m. EDT.
29th • The Moon passes 0.2° north of Mars, 9 p.m. EDT.
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July 2025
2nd • FIRST QUARTER, 3:30 p.m. EDT.
3rd • Venus passes 2° south of Uranus, 9 p.m. EDT.
4th • Mercury is at greatest eastern elongation (26°), 1 a.m. EDT.
10th • FULL MOON, (4:36 p.m. EDT).
13th • Venus passes 3° north of Aldebaran, midnight EDT.
16th • The Moon passes 3° north of Neptune, 6 a.m. EDT.
16th • The Moon passes 4° north of Saturn, 7 a.m. EDT.
17th • LAST QUARTER MOON (8:37 p.m. EDT).
18th • CCAS Special Observing Session, Battle of the Clouds, 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. EDT. Cohosted by the Chester County Library System. (Rain date: July 19th.)
20th • The Moon passes 5° north of Uranus, 9 a.m. EDT.
20th • Open call for articles and photographs for the August 2025 edition of Observations.
21st • The Moon passes 7° north of Venus, 3 p.m. EDT.
22nd • The Moon passes 5° north of Jupiter, midnight EDT.
22nd-25th • CCAS Special Camping Trip & Observing Session at Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport, PA. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
24th • NEW MOON (3:11 p.m. EDT).
25th • Pluto is at opposition, 3 a.m. EDT.
25th • CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
26th • Deadline for newsletter submissions for the August 2025 edition of Observations.
28th • The Moon passes 1.3° south of Mars, 4 p.m. EDT.
29th-30th • Delta-Aquarid Meteor Shower Peaks - The Delta Aquarids can produce about 20 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower usually peaks around the 29th, but some meteors can also be seen from July 18th through August 12th. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Aquarius. Best viewing is usually to the east after midnight. This year a waxing crescent moon will set before the radiant is high in the sky. Therefore, circumstances are favorable for viewing this shower during the morning hours.
31st • Mercury is in inferior conjunction, 8 p.m. EDT.
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August 2025
1st • FIRST QUARTER MOON (8:41 a.m. EDT).
2nd • CCAS Solar Observing Session from 10:00 a.m.to 1:00 p.m. EDT at Downingtown Library, Downingtown, PA. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
6th • Saturn passes 1.1° south of Neptune, 6 a.m. EDT.
7th • Asteroid Pallas is at opposition, 5 p.m. EDT.
9th • FULL MOON, Sturgeon Moon, Blue Moon (3:54 a.m. EDT).
12th • Venus passes 0.9° south of Jupiter, 4 a.m. EDT.
12th • The Moon passes 4° north of Saturn, 11 a.m. EDT.
12th • The Moon passes 3° north of Neptune, noon EDT.
12th-13th • Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks. The Perseids are one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower's peak usually occurs on August 12th, but you may be able to see some meteors any time from July 17th through August 23rd. On August 12th, the moon will be 84% full. The radiant point for this shower is in the constellation Perseus.
14th • CCAS Solar Observing Session from 10:30 a.m.to 1:30 p.m. EDT at CVT at Exton Park, 132 Church Farm Ln, Exton, PA 19341. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
16th • LAST QUARTER MOON (1:12 a.m. EDT.).
19th • Mercury is at greatest western elongation (19°), 6 a.m. EDT.
19th • The Moon passes 5° north of Jupiter, 5 p.m. EDT.
19th-22nd • CCAS Special Camping Trip & Observing Session at Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport, PA. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
20th • The Moon passes 5° north of Venus, 7 a.m. EDT.
20th • Open call for articles and photographs for the September 2025 edition of Observations.
21st • Venus passes 7° south of Pollux, 5 a.m. EDT.
21st • The Moon passes 4° north of Mercury, noon EDT.
22nd • CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, Brandywine Red Clay Alliance. The observing session starts at sunset.
23rd • NEW MOON, the Black Moon (3rd New Moon in a Season), (2:06 a.m. EDT).
26th • Deadline for newsletter submissions for the September 2025 edition of Observations.
26th • The Moon passes 3° south of Mars, 1 p.m. EDT.
29th • CCAS Special Observing Session: Starr Farm Park, Downingtown PA. 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
31st • FIRST QUARTER MOON (2:25 a.m. EDT).
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September 2025
2nd • Mercury passes 1.2° north of Regulus, 6 a.m. EDT.
5th • West Chester University Planetarium Show: “Journey to the Outer Planets,” in the Schmucker Science Building. The show starts at 7 p.m. and runs approximately one hour in length. For more information and reservations, visit the WCU Public Planetarium Shows webpage.
6th • CCAS Solar Observing Session, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. EDT, CVT at Exton Park, 132 Church Farm Ln, Exton, PA 19341 (Rain date Sept. 7th). For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
7th • Total lunar eclipse, 2 p.m. EDT.
7th • FULL MOON, the Harvest Moon (2:08 p.m. EDT).
8th • The Moon passes 4° north of Saturn, 4 p.m. EDT.
8th • The Moon passes 3° north of Neptune, 6 p.m. EDT.
9th • CCAS Monthly Meeting, in person (as well as via Zoom) at West Chester University’s Merion Science Center, Room 112. Our guest speaker
is Dr. Bhuvnesh Jain from the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Astronomy and Physics. His presentation is titled "The Nature of Dark Matter and Dark Energy and their Roles in Galaxy Formation."
12th • Mars passes 2° north of Spica, 4 a.m. EDT.
12th • The Moon passes 5° north of Uranus, 10 p.m. EDT.
13th • Mercury is in superior conjunction, 7 a.m. EDT.
13th • CCAS Solar Observing Session, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT, Downingtown Library. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
14th • LAST QUARTER MOON (6:32 a.m. EDT).
16th • The Moon passes 5° north of Jupiter, 7 a.m. EDT.
17th-21st • York County Fall Star Party. Susquehannock State Park, 1880 Park Dr, Drumore, PA 17518. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
19th • The Moon passes 0.8° north of Venus, 8 a.m. EDT.
19th • Venus passes 0.5° north of Regulus, 9 a.m. EDT.
20th • Open call for articles and photographs for the October 2025 edition of Observations.
20th • CCAS Special Observing Event with the Atglen Public Library and Chester County Parks at Wolfs Hollow County Park, 1766 Glen Run Rd, Atglen, PA 19310. The session is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
21st • Saturn is at opposition, 2 a.m. EDT.
21st • NEW MOON (3:54 p.m. EDT).
21st • Partial solar eclipse, 4 p.m. EDT.
22nd • Equinox (northern autumn/southern spring begins), 2 p.m. EDT.
23rd • Neptune is at opposition, 9 a.m. EDT.
24th • The Moon passes 4° south of Mars, 11 a.m. EDT.
26th • Deadline for newsletter submissions for the October 2025 edition of Observations.
26th • CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
27th • CCAS Solar Observing Session, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT, Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Pkwy, Exton, PA 19341. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
29th • FIRST QUARTER MOON (7:53 p.m. EDT).
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October 2025
2nd • Mercury passes 1.9° north of Spica, 7 a.m. EDT.
2nd • Dwarf planet Ceres is at opposition, 9 a.m. EDT.
4th • CCAS Solar Observing Event, 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT, with the Coatsville Library and Chester County Parks at SRT Fricks Lock Trailhead, 500 Fricks Lock Rd, Pottstown, PA 19465 (Raindate October 5th). For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
4th • International Observe the Moon Night 2025, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. EDT, with the WCU Astronomy Club. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
5th • The Moon passes 4° north of Saturn, 11 p.m. EDT.
6th • The Moon passes 3° north of Neptune, 3 a.m. EDT.
6th • FULL MOON, the Hunter's Moon, Falling Leaves Moon, Drying Rice Moon, Migrating Moon, and sometimes called the Blood Moon or Sanguine Moon, Harvest Moon (11:47 p.m. EDT).
9th • CCAS Special Observing Event, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EDT, with the Middletown Free Library at 464 S. Old Middletown Rd, Media, PA 19063. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
10th • The Moon passes 5° north of Uranus, 5 a.m. EDT.
10th • CCAS Special Observing Event, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, at Hibernia Park. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
11th • CCAS Solar Observing Session, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT, Downingtown Library. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
13th • THIRD QUARTER MOON (2:12 p.m. EDT).
13th • The Moon passes 4° north of Jupiter, 6 p.m. EDT.
14th • CCAS Monthly Meeting, in Room 112, Merion Science Center, WCU. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. Guest Speaker: Dr. Eric Huff, JPL /NASA, “The Euclid Space Telescope Mission – Shedding New Insights into Cosmology”.
16th • CCAS Solar Observing Event, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. EDT, West Chester Courthouse, 3 Market Street, West Chester, PA 19382. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
19th • The Moon passes 4° south of Venus, 6 p.m. EDT.
20th • Open call for articles and photographs for the November 2025 edition of Observations.
21st • Mercury passes 2° south of Mars, 2 a.m. EDT.
21st-22nd • Orionids Meteor Shower Peaks. The Orionids is an average shower producing about 20 meteors per hour at their peak. This shower usually peaks on the 21st, but it is highly irregular. A good show could be experienced on any morning from October 20 - 24, and some meteors may be seen any time from October 17 - 25. Best viewing will be to the east after midnight. Be sure to find a dark location far from city lights. This is another meteor shower that is produced by very old particles shed by Halley's Comet.
21st • NEW MOON (8:25 a.m. EDT).
23rd • The Moon passes 5° south of Mars, 9 a.m. EDT.
23rd • The Moon passes 2° south of Mercury, noon EDT.
24th • CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, Brandywine Red Clay Alliance. The observing session starts at sunset.
25th • CCAS Solar Observing Event, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. EDT, with the Sierra Club at the John Heinz Nature Center. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
26th • Deadline for newsletter submissions for the November 2025 edition of Observations.
27th • Jupiter passes 7° south of Pollux, 11 a.m. EDT.
29th • FIRST QUARTER MOON (12:20 p.m. EDT).
29th • Mercury is at greatest eastern elongation (24°), 6 p.m. EDT.
31st • West Chester University Planetarium Show: “Spooky Scary Things In Space,” in the Schmucker Science Building. The show starts at 7 p.m. and runs approximately one hour in length. For more information and reservations, visit the WCU Public Planetarium Shows webpage.
31st • Venus passes 4° north of Spica, midnight EDT.
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November 2025
2nd • Daylight Saving Time ends, 2:00 a.m. ET. Turn clocks back one hour.
2nd • The Moon passes 4° north of Saturn, 6 a.m. EST.
2nd • The Moon passes 3° north of Neptune, noon EST.
5th • FULL MOON, The Beaver Moon, (8:19 a.m. EST). It is also called Frost Moon and Mourning Moon, depending on the December solstice.
6th • The Moon passes 5° north of Uranus, noon EST.
7th • West Chester University Planetarium Show: “Galaxy Surveys with the Webb, Euclid, and Rubin Telescopes,” in the Schmucker Science Building. The show starts at 7 p.m. and runs approximately one hour in length. For more information and reservations, visit the WCU Public Planetarium Shows webpage.
8th • CCAS Solar Observing Session at the American Helicopter Museum, West Chester, PA. The daytime observing session is scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST.
8th • CCAS Special Observing Session, "Amber Stuver Memorial" Family Astronomy Night at the American Helicopter Museum, West Chester, PA. The evening observing session is scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST.
10th • The Moon passes 4° north of Jupiter, 3 a.m. EST.
11th • CCAS Monthly Meeting, in person (as well as via Zoom) at West Chester University’s Merion Science Center, Room 112. Guest Speaker: Dr. Rebecca Phillipson, Dept of Physics, Villanova University, “Chaos in the Cosmos.”
11th-12th • Northern Taurid Meteor Shower Peaks. On this night, the moon will be 53% full. Active from October 20th to December 10th, the northern Taurids generally produce rates of only 5-10 per hour. They are notorious for spectacular fireballs that have led many astronomers to believe the meteor stream contains a large percentage of large pieces generally not present in other showers.
12th • THIRD QUARTER MOON (12:28 a.m. EST).
12th • Mercury passes 1.3° south of Mars, 2 p.m. EST.
17th • Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks. On this night, the moon will be 9% full. The Leonids are one of the better meteor showers to observe, producing an average of 40 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower itself has a cyclic peak year every 33 years where hundreds of meteors can be seen each hour. The last of these occurred in 2001. The shower usually peaks around November 17th, but you may see some meteors from November 13 - 20. Look for the shower radiating from the constellation Leo after midnight.
19th • The Moon passes 6° south of Venus, 4 a.m. EST.
20th • NEW MOON (1:47 a.m. EST).
20th • Mercury is in inferior conjunction, 4 a.m. EST.
20th • Open call for articles and photographs for the December 2025 edition of Observations.
21st • Uranus is at opposition, 7 a.m. EST.
21st • CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, Brandywine Red Clay Alliance. The observing session starts at sunset. Last regularly scheduled monthly session until March 2026.
24th • Mercury passes 1.1° north of Venus, midnight EST.
26th • Deadline for newsletter submissions for the December 2025 edition of Observations.
26th • Jupiter passes 7° south of Pollux, 2 p.m. EST.
28th • FIRST QUARTER MOON (12:55 a.m. EST).
29th • The Moon passes 4° north of Saturn, 2 p.m. EST.
29th • The Moon passes 3° north of Neptune, 9 p.m. EST.
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December 2025
3rd • The Moon passes 5° north of Uranus, 10 p.m. EST
4th • FULL MOON, the Cold Moon, (6:14 p.m. EST).
7th • The Moon passes 4° north of Jupiter, 11 a.m. EST.
7th • Mercury is at greatest western elongation (21°), 4 p.m. EST.
9th • CCAS Annual Holiday Party, celebration at Victory Brewing Company, 6:00 to 9:00 PM EST, 420 Acorn Lane, Downingtown, PA. CCAS members, family members, and friends are all welcome to attend. The approximate cost is $37.00 per person. See the December 2025 edition of CCAS Newsletter Observations for details.
11th • LAST QUARTER MOON (3:51 p.m. EST).
12th • West Chester University Planetarium Show: “Supermoon Rises!” in the Schmucker Science Building. The show starts at 7 p.m. and runs approximately one hour in length. For more information and reservations, visit the WCU Public Planetarium Shows webpage.
13th-14th • Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks. On this night, the moon will be 30% full. Considered by many to be the best meteor shower in the heavens, the Geminids are known for producing up to 60 multicolored meteors per hour at their peak. The peak of the shower usually occurs around December 13 & 14, although some meteors should be visible from December 6th through the 19th. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Gemini. Best viewing is usually to the east after midnight from a dark location.
17th • Asteroid Juno is in conjunction with the Sun, 1 a.m. EST.
18th • The Moon passes 6° south of Mercury, 7 a.m. EST.
18th • Mercury passes 6° north of Antares, 4 p.m. EST.
19th • NEW MOON, 8:43 p.m. EST.
20th • Open call for articles and photographs for the January 2026 edition of Observations.
21st • Solstice (northern winter/southern summer begins), 10 a.m. EST. - The South Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its southernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude. This is the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the northern hemisphere and the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the southern hemisphere.
21st-22nd • Ursid Meteor Shower Peaks. On this night, the moon will be 3% full. The point from where the Ursid meteors appear to come from is located within the constellation Ursa Minor, also known as the "Little Dipper." This meteor shower is active during the period spanning December 17 to 26, but it peaks on December 21st-22nd. At maximum, rates can normally reach 10 per hour. The meteor shower is produced by the periodic comet 8P/Tuttle and can occasionally experience short-lived outbursts of up to 100 meteors per hour.
26th • Deadline for newsletter submissions for the January 2026 edition of Observations.
26th • The Moon passes 4° north of Saturn, 11 p.m. EST.
27th • The Moon passes 3° north of Neptune, 4 a.m. EST.
27th • FIRST QUARTER MOON, 2:09 p.m. EST.
31st • The Moon passes 5° north of Uranus, 7 a.m. EST.
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