Sky map by AstroViewer^®

Get the HTML code for this sky map

What's up in the night sky this month? The best meteor shower of the year! The Perseids peak on a moonless summer night – from 4 pm on the 12th until 4 am on the 13th EDT. Thanks to a new moon, the days before and after the peak will also provide nice, dark skies. The best time to look for shooting stars is from a few hours after twilight until dawn on the days surrounding the peak.

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 Room MER112 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.

CCAS partnered with Chester County Night School to offer a six-week program meeting Monday nights at Henderson High School from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. The classes ran from March 19, 2018 through April 30, 2018, with no class on April 2, 2018 (the day after Easter). The cost for the courses was $59.00 per person.

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.

• Friday, August 3, 2018 - CCAS Special Observing Session, Welkinwier, Pottstown, PA. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Knabb.
• Saturday, August 11, 2018 - CCAS Special Observing Session at Hickory Run State Park, White Haven, PA, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Knabb.
• Friday, August 17, 2018 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
• Saturday, August 18, 2018 - Natural Lands Trust Multi-Club Event, Moon & Planet Party, ChesLen Preserve, Coatesville, PA. For non-members registration is required with The Natural Lands Trust. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Knabb.
• Friday, September 7, 2018 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
• Saturday, September 8, 2018 - CCAS Special Joint Observing Session with Atglen Library at Wolf's Hollow County Park, Atglen, PA.
• Friday, September 14, 2018 - CCAS Special Observing Session at Starr Farm Park, Downingtown, PA. The observing session is scheduled from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
• Saturday, September 15, 2018 - CCAS Special Observing Session at Hoopes Park, West Chester, PA. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Knabb.
• Saturday, September 29, 2018 - CCAS Special Observing Session at Bucktoe Creek Preserve, Avondale, PA, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The event is open to be public but registration for non-CCAS members is equired through The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County website. A small fee is required by The Land Conservancy of Southern Chester County to attend this event. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Knabb.
• Friday, October 5-Saturday, October 6, 2018 - Joint CCAS - DVAA Camping Trip.
LI>Friday, October 12, 2018 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset.
• Saturday, October 13, 2018 - CCAS Special Observing Session at Anson B. Nixon Park, Kennett Square, PA. This event is scheduled from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and is open to the public.
• Saturday, October 20, 2018 - CCAS Special Observing Session, Willistown Conservation Trust Run-a-Muck. The observing session is scheduled from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The event is open only to registered participants.

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 2018, visit the star parties page.

Back to Top



Planetarium Shows

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.

Back to Top



Since Saturday, November 14, 2004, you are visitor