About

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

Donations

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.

Planned giving and bequests.

Loaner Program

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.

Club

• Bylaws 2014-06-12

• Policy Manual 2014-06-12

• Articles of Incorporation 1988-11-17