Amateur Astronomy Clubs in Northern California

Format of listings is

CITY or REGION; CLUB NAME; CONTACT PHONE; CONTACT ADDRESS; MEETING PLACE; MEETING TIMES

Send corrections to AANC web editor.

** means club is a member of AANC

• • BERKELEY -- University of California - Astronomers in Berkeley (UCAB) Webpage: http://www.stargazing.net/berkeleyastro/; Address: c/o ASUC Office of Student Affairs; University of California; 400 Eshleman Hall, MC 4500; Berkeley, CA 94720-4500; Meeting Place: Campbell Hall and Sproul Plaza, dates on the website; Contact Yi-Zen Chu <yizen @ berkeley.edu>

  • EASTBAY (OAKLAND)--Eastbay Astronomical Society**; 510-524-2146 Contact via e-mail: info @ eastbayastro.org ; via snail: EAS c/o CSSC, 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619-2444; MEETING PLACE: Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland: usually on the third Saturday of each month, whenever possible. Check web site for exact location; EAS Newsletter Online: http://www.eastbayastro.org. EAS videos - http://eastbayastro.org/video

  • EASTBAY (OAKLAND) -- Chabot Telescope Makers' Workshop meets every Friday night between 7:00 and 10:00 at the Chabot Space and Science Center. It is a place where people learn the art of telescope mirror making and Newtonian telescope construction. on Friday nights. The club is free; grinding and polishing materials are free; and the cost of glass (available from the workshop) is quite reasonable. Contact Paul Zurakowski, Director, 925-447-6837 or rozer @ pacbell.net. Also: http://www.eastbayastro.org/index/telescop.htm

  • EUREKA/HUMBOLDT--Astronomers of Humboldt; P.O. Box 351, Eureka, CA 95502. Contact Person: Bob Zigler; email: info @ astrohum.org ; web: http://www.astrohum.org

  • DAVIS--EXPLORIT! Astronomy Club**; EXPLORIT!, 3141 Fifth St. DAVIS, CA 95616; email: explorit @ dcn.davis.ca.us addressed to Dennis Smith. MEETING PLACE: EXPLORIT!, 3141 Fifth St. DAVIS, CA 95616; URL: http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/~explorit/astronomy.html

  • DAVIS--Univ. of Calif., Davis -Astronomy Club**; http://maxwell.ucdavis.edu/~astro/; 916-752-1500 Dr.Glen Erickson; Physics Dept., Univ. of Calif., DAVIS, CA 95616

  • FREMONT -- ClubAstro; Web site: http://msjastro.cjb.net; Email: msjastro @ alicemail.com; Contact: Laurie Chong, c/o:Mission High School, 41717 Palm Avenue, Fremont, CA 94539; MEETING PLACE: Mission San Jose High School, 41717 Palm Avenue, Fremont; TIME: 12 Noon, Usually first and third thursdays of each month.- See website for updates [submitted by Nat Rojanasathira, ClubAstro Vice-President

  • FREMONT PEAK--Fremont Peak Observatory Association**; URL: http://www.fpoa.net; (831) 623-2465; P.O. Box 1376; San Juan Bautista, CA 95045; MEETING PLACE: FREMONT PEAK STATE PARK; contact: Ron Dammann (408) 255-1863 or email schedule@fpoa.net; Public programs Sat. eves (except full moon) Mid-April thru Oct, 8 pm

  • FRESNO--Central Valley Astronomers, Inc. Brian Bellis, P.O.Box 3063 Pinedale, Ca. 93650; 559-264-2645. email: pandbATattbi.com

  • URL : http://www.cvafresno.org

  • Group 70**; The Large Amateur Telescope Project 408-727-5442 MEETING PLACE: 701 Aldo Avenue #49, SANTA CLARA, CA 95054-2211 Website: http://group70.org/

  • Hercules Stargazers/Hercules Public Stargazing Program** Eastbay, Northern Area; 510-526-5974 David Harris ; 6102 Sacramento Ave., RICHMOND, CA 94804; MEETING PLACE: Foxboro Park (observing site) 1025 Canterbury Dr., HERCULES; 799-8237 (after dusk); Public stargazing once or twice monthly on Saturday evenings, at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later. Please call for dates. Contact: Dave Harris <getastrodave @ gmail.com >

  • KENTFIELD -- College of Marin - Astronomy Club (CoMAS) Webpage:

  • http://com.astronomy-club.org; Address: c/o Office of Student Services, Room 250 Bldg SS, College of Marin, 835 College Avenue, Kentfield, CA 94904. Meeting place, Student Services Bldg., dates on website; contact Michael Kran at college_of_marin @ astronomy-club.org . Occasional free public star parties on or near Kentfield campus.

  • LIVERMORE--Tri-Valley Stargazers**; Web site: http://www.trivalleystargaze rs.org; Chuck Grant 925-422-7278); P.O.Box 2476, Livermore, CA 94551; MEETING PLACE: Unitarian Church, 1893 N. Vasco Rd., LIVERMORE; Meets once a month on a Friday, 7:30 p.m.- see our web page for the most current club info including our e-mail address

  • MODESTO--Modesto Jr. College Astronomy Club; 209-575-6498, 209-575-6284 Bill Luevke; Modesto Jr. College, College Ave MODESTO, CA 95350

  • MARIN COUNTY--Mt. Tamalpais Interpretive Association**--Public Astronomy Programs; 415-388-2070 - Mount Tamalpais State Park number; 415 566-2357 - SFAA hotline, 415 455-5370 - MTIA hotline; MTIA, PO Box 7064, Corte Madera CA 94976; MEETING PLACE: Mountain Theater , MT. TAMALPAIS; New Moon Saturdays May thru October, dusk. Exact Schedule: http://www.mttam.net/

  • MONTEREY-- Mira Observers Group (MOG); 831-883-1000; http://www.mira.org/ascc/; an amateur branch of the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy, 200 Eighth St., Marina, CA 93933; MEETING PLACE: 200 Eighth St., MARINA

  • Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society** (CONCORD); Liede-Marie Haitsma, President. Phone: 925-695-3134. Web: http://www.mdas.net; Email: info @ mdas.net. Outreach outreachinfo @ mdas.net. Public Program http://www.mdas.net/publicprogram/publicprogram.htm. Snail mail: Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society; P.O. Box 4889; Walnut Creek, CA 94596-3754. MEETING PLACE: Police Association Facility, 5060 Avila Rd., Concord; 4th Tuesday/month, 7:15 pm. November and December meetings on 3rd Tuesday @ 7:15pm. MDAS newsletter (Diablo Moonwatch) is at http://www.mdas.net/newsletter/newsletter.htm

  • Mt. Diablo Observatory Association; http://www.mdia.org/astronomy.htm

  • Nevada County Astronomers located in the Sierra Foothills of California (50 miles east of Sacramento). Meets 1st Wednesday of each month at the Madelyn Helling Library, Community Room, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City, CA 95959 - http://ncastronomers.org/index.php

  • NEVADA -- Astronomical Society Of Nevada -- Web Address: http://www.astronomynv.org; Contact: info @ astronomynv.org

  • NEVADA -- Great Western Astronomers. GWA is an observing group and telescope club in Nevada. GWA will conduct Dark Sky observing in the region of Northern Nevada and California including the High Sierra. A full program of Star Parties and sharing the Astro-hobby is planned. If you wish to suggest a site or are interested in more information, please contact Bob Graf <syzygy5 @ hotmail.com> or 775-329-8809.

  • NEVADA -- Carson City -- Nevada Astronomical Society. 2201 West College Parkway, Carson City Nevada 89703; Contact: Helaine Jesse <jesse @ wncc.nevada.edu>; 775-445-3240

  • OAKLAND -- Northern California Historical Astronomy Luncheon & Discussion Association**; URL: http://www.nchalada.org/; 413 Poinsettia Avenue, San Mateo 94403, phone 650-573-7125; MEETING PLACE: Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd, OAKLAND.

  • Peninsula Astronomical Society** (P. A.S.); William Phelps at (650) 493-4742; P.O. Box 4542, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94040; MEETING PLACE: Foothill College, LOS ALTOS. The P.A.S. holds meetings on the second Friday of each month at 7:30 pm in Room 5001 on the campus of Foothill College. Park in Lot #5. Each meeting features a speaker (or speakers) bringing us up to date on different topics in astronomy. The public is welcome to attend the meetings of the Peninsula Astronomical Society. There is no charge for attending these meetings. Please note that visitor parking permits are available from the machines in the parking lots for $2.00 in quarters. Foothill College website http://www.foothill.edu/ast/index.htm Peninsula Astronomical Society website: has a map and directions.

  • PALO ALTO--Stanford Astronomy Society** (SAS); Contact: Lance Simms <lances @ stanford.edu>; Website: http://www.stanford.edu/group/astronomy/

  • SACRAMENTO--Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society**; Web site: http://www.svas.org; SVAS-111 (916-782-7111). To join, send your name, address and phone number with a check for $35 to: SVAS, PO Box 15274, Sacramento, CA 95851-0274. MEETING PLACE: California State University, Sacramento at 6000 J St. in Mendocino Hall, Room 1015, located next to the Hornet Bookstore. SACRAMENTO; 3rd Friday / month, 7:30 pm

  • SAN FRANCISCO--San Francisco Amateur Astronomers**; Website: http://www.sfaa-astronomy.org; Hotline (415) 289-6636 (289-nofog); MEETING PLACE: Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, SAN FRANCISCO; 3rd Wednesday / month, 7 pm. Public star parties are held in San Francisco on the Saturday nearest the first quarter moon during the winter months, and on Mount Tamalpaison the Saturday nearest the first quarter moon from spring through fall. Details are available on the website and on the hotline.

  • SAN FRANCISCO--San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers**; http://www.sfsidewalkastronomers.org/; 4135 Judah Street, San Francisco, CA 94122. Event "hotline" is (415) 289-2007. Bay Area contact email: info @ sfsidewalkastronomers.org . Business address: The Sidewalk Astronomers, 1946 Vedanta Place, Hollywood, CA 90068. (818) 841-0548. For information on John Dobson's schedule call (818) 848-4533. Sidewalk Astronomers: http://www.sidewalkastronomers.com/

  • SAN FRANCISCO--City College of San Francisco Astronomy Department, 415-239-3242, MEETING PLACE: 50 Phelan Ave. SAN FRANCISCO 94112: Star parties and lectures. http://www.ccsf.edu/Departments/Astronomy/index.html

  • SAN FRANCISCO-- The Randall Museum** http://www.randallmuseum.org/; Phone: (415) 554-9602, (415) 554-9600; fax: (415) 554-9609; 199 Museum Way San Francisco, CA 94114; John Dillon <jdillon @ randallmuseum.org> Science Museum, hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday 10:00AM - 5:00PM; info @ randallmuseum.org

  • SAN JOSE--San Jose Astronomical Association**; Hotline 408-559-1221; 408-371-1307 Jim Van Nuland < jvn @ svpal.org>; 3509 Calico Dr., San Jose, CA 95124 ; website: http://www.sjaa.net; The Ephemeris, the monthly SJAA newsletter is at http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/; MEETING PLACE: Houge Park, SAN JOSE; Meetings Saturday, usually nearest full moon, but it varies; see website or call hotline. Beginning Astronomy classes are offered monthly, and so are in-town star parties. See the website for more details.

  • SAN JOSE AREA -- Halls Valley Astronomical Group. General information at http://www.snap-design.com/HVAG/ or email: paulbATsnap-design.com. Observing at at Joseph D. Grant County Park.

  • SAN MATEO/FOSTER CITY--San Mateo County Astronomical Society**; URL: http://www.smcas.com; Contacts: Marion Weiler <mgwe @ pacbell.net>, President, 650-341-3572; Darryl Stanford <stanfordd @ smccd.net >, Professor of Astronomy, College of San Mateo, (650) 574-6256, and Mohsen Janatpour, Director of Astronomy and Planetarium,College of San Mateo, (650) 574-6272, janatpour @ smccd.net ; Mailing address: P.O. Box 974, Station A, SAN MATEO, CA 94403; MEETING PLACE: College of San Mateo, 1700 West Hillsdale Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94403. Meetings will be held in the Planetarium (Building 13) 1st Friday / month, 7:30 pm. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. for refreshments. Free parking can be found in staff lot 19, on the east (Bay) side of the campus. Take the service road to the right just inside the campus main entrance, and go about 1/4 mile. It's on the right opposite building 10, after passing the antennas on the left. Those who need to use the elevator in building 12 can park in staff lot 20A, on the left side about 50 yards further on.

  • Santa Cruz Astronomy Club -- http://astro.santa-cruz.ca.us/; P.O. Box 3439; Santa Cruz, CA 95063; Chris Angelos, Secretary; 831 458 7650; 831 429 5731; christopher_a_95067 @ netzero.net ; Dwight Elvey <dwightk.elvey @ amd.com >, President; 831 423 3451; Monthly, 2nd Thursday,7:30 PM at Harvey West Park Scouthouse in Santa Cruz.; Public Stargazing offered; Observing at Bonny Doon Airfield 2 Saturday nights each month nearest new Moon weather permitting. Public and school star parties conducted by invitation. Club Hotline: 831 335 2423

  • SANTA CRUZ AREA--Royal Cabrillo Astronomical Society; c/o Student Services, Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Dr., APTOS, CA 95003; MEETING PLACE: APTOS

  • SANTA ROSA--Sonoma County Astronomical Society**; President John Whitehouse <jmw @ sonic.net> 707-539-5549; P.O. Box 183, Santa Rosa, CA 95402; http://www.sonomaskies.org/ The Young Astronomers contact: Gary Jordan 707 829 5288 sieramolly @ aol.com . The SCAS has monthly meetings in Santa Rosa on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM at the Procter Terrace Elementary School locatedÊon Bryden Lane near Fourth Street in Santa Rosa. For information call Keith Payea.

  • SONOMA COUNTY AREA -- Valley of the Moon Astronomical Society**; 707-996-1246 (Al Heppe); P.O. Box 999, Glen Ellen, CA 95442; MEETING PLACE: 5297 Warm Springs Rd., GLEN ELLEN; 2nd Thursday / month

  • SONOMA COUNTY AREA -- Valley of the Moon Observatory Association (VMOA) http://www.rfo.org operates a public astronomical observatory located in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, near Kenwood, California. The Robert Ferguson Observatory houses a 24-inch telescope while a new 40-inch telescope is under construction, as well as a 14-inch reflector with a CCD camera and a dome-enclosed 8-inch refractor. The telescopes are all available for frequent public use and are used for research purposes as well.

  • Springville--Tule River Amateur Astronomers (TRAA), PO Box 999, Springville CA 93265; http://www.astrospringville.org/TRAA/

  • STOCKTON--Stockton Astronomical Society**; 209-477-4756 (Dennis LeClert); http://www.stocktonastro.org ; P.O. Box 243, Stockton, CA 95201; MEETING PLACE: Clever Planetarium, San Joaquin Delta College, STOCKTON; 2nd Thursday / month, 7:30 pm

  • TULARE COUNTY -- Tulare Astronomical Association (TAA), (559) 685-0585; President David Adalian <dpalta @ comcast.net>; Mailing address: T.A.A., P.O. Box 515, Tulare, CA, 93274; Meeting address: Arthur L. Purcell Observatory, 9242 Avenue 184, Tulare, CA, 93274 (2.1 miles west of Highway 99); Meeting time: Public star parties are held on the Friday following new moon.

  • The Astronomy Connection (On-line only)