The Santa Cruz Astronomy Club serves all communities in Santa Cruz County, California and neighboring areas. Our emphasis is telescope observing, family participation, and public enjoyment of the wonders of the starry night. See the calendar for schedule.
We meet on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm, at the Santa Margarita Meeting Room at the Scotts Valley Water District Offices (enter off of Civic Center Drive or Scotts Valley Drive).
We hold a monthly 'star party' at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, starting about sunset (its fully dark typically 90 minutes after sunset) as weather allows.
Formed in 1983, the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club is a non-profit educational organization pursuant to 501C3, tax ID Number 77-0215497. We have about 90 members. Mailing address is: Santa Cruz Astronomy Club, PO Box 3439, Santa Cruz, CA 95063
Club Star Parties
Club members have exclusive access to our twice-a-year star parties in San Vicente in Bonny Doon at 2500' in elevation
Yearly, club members are invited to participate in a public star party at Glacier Point in Yosemite.
Our monthly star party at 500' Quail Hollow Ranch is open to everyone and the public is encouraged to attend. Other, ad hoc parties are usually open to everyone, but contact us if there are any questions.
Club Officers and Chairpersons
President: Jim Bahn
Vice President: Ana Rodarte
Treasurer: Bill Seiler
Board member-at-large: Chris Angelos
Board member-at-large: Jeff Gose
Quail Hollow star parties: John Arkley
Night Sky Network Coordinator: Ana Rodarte
Communications: Ana Rodarte
New member orientation: Ana Rodarte
Social media: Kirk Bender
Outreach programs: Wolf Witt
Bonny Doon star parties: Jim Bahn
Donation/loaner program: Jim Bahn
Website and Calendar: Jim Bahn
Secretary: Open
Presentations/speakers chairperson: Open
The Santa Cruz Astronomy Club is pleased to receive any equipment donations. Telescopes, eyepieces, mounts… almost anything you can think of that is used in astronomy, we accept. Most items are used in our loaner telescope program. Some may be donated to worthy individuals or groups who support astronomy education in their community. All donations go toward supporting the club and public education in astronomy. Santa Cruz Astronomy Club will provide a tax receipt for charitable contributions upon request for all equipment donations. Please contact us for more information.
The purpose of this program is for SCAC members to borrow scopes to evaluate equipment, help guide them in learning astronomy, and use for personal and club events. Contact the club for questions. The club currently has over 25 scopes in inventory, plus other gear, and the current list of available scopes is below.