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.

• Thursday March 9, 2023 - CCAS Special Observing Session: Kennett Middle School night sky observing, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. EST. CCAS members are encouraged to participate at this private event.
• Tuesday, March 14, 2023 - CCAS Monthly Meeting, Room 112, Merion Science Center (former Boucher Building), West Chester University. 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. Guest Speaker: Dr. Scott Gaudi, Ohio State University, “Completing the Census of Exoplanets (‘Hot and Cold’) in the Galaxy using the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.”
• Wednesday March 15, 2023 - CCAS Special Observing Session: Great Valley School District, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. EDT. CCAS members are encouraged to participate at this private event.
• Friday, March 17, 2023 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
• Monday, March 20, 2023 - Introduction to Astronomy Class: Spaceship Earth – the Sun and its effects on the Earth, Stetson Middle School, 7 p.m. EDT.
• Monday, March 27, 2023 - Introduction to Astronomy Class: Our Moon—phases and faces, Stetson Middle School, 7 p.m. EDT.
• Monday, April 3, 2023 - Introduction to Astronomy Class: Other Kids on the Block, Stetson Middle School, 7 p.m. EDT.
• Tuesday, April 11, 2023 - CCAS Monthly Meeting, meeting and presentation in the Mather Planetarium at WCU, West Chester University. 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. Guest Speaker: Dr. Marc Gagne, West Chester University, “Update on New Images and Discoveries from the James Webb Telescope.”
• Friday, April 14, 2023 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
• Monday, April 17, 2023 - Introduction to Astronomy Class: Star Charts and Planetarium Software, Stetson Middle School, 7 p.m. EDT.
• Monday, April 24, 2023 - Introduction to Astronomy Class: Using a Telescope, Stetson Middle School, 7 p.m. EDT.
• Monday, May 1, 2023 - Introduction to Astronomy Class: Beyond Naked-Eye Observing, Stetson Middle School, 7 p.m. EDT.
• Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - CCAS Monthly Meeting, Room 112, Merion Science Center (former Boucher Building), West Chester University. 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. Guest Speaker: Dr. Candice Hansen-Koharcheck, JPL and Planetary Science Institute, “JunoCam Images of Jupiter: A New Perspective.”

What are some skywatching highlights in March 2023? Following their close approach in the sky on March 1, Venus and Jupiter go their separate ways. Venus climbs higher each evening, while Jupiter exists the morning sky at month's end. And those with binoculars of a small telescope can seek out dwarf planet Ceres, which is at its brightest this month. 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.

For star parties and astronomy events near you, visit http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/. Learn about all of NASA's missions at http://www.nasa.gov/.

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.

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.

• Thursday March 9, 2023 - CCAS Special Observing Session: Greenwood Elementary School night sky observing, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. EST. CCAS members are encouraged to participate at this private event.
• Friday, March 17, 2023 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
• Wednesday March 15, 2023 - CCAS Special Observing Session: Great Valley School District, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. EDT. CCAS members are encouraged to participate at this private event.
• Friday, April 14, 2023 - 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.