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.

• Saturday, August 8, 2026 - CCAS Solar Saturday Observing Session: Downingtown Library, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Tuesday, August 11 through Friday, August 14, 2026 - CCAS Camping Trip to Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport, PA. or more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Wednesday, August 12, 2026 - CCAS Solar Observing Session: Downingtown Library, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Friday, August 14, 2026 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset (Rain date: August 15, 2026). For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Saturday, August 15, 2026 - CCAS Solar Observing Session: Exton Library, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - CCAS Solar Observing Session: Downingtown Library, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Thursday, August 20, 2026 - CCAS Solar Observing Session: Kennett Library, Kennett, PA, 3:00-5:00 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Friday, August 21, 2026 - CCAS Special Observing Session: Elwood L. Crossan Park, Franklin Township, Landenberg, PA. (Rain date: August 22, 2026). For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Saturday, August 22, 2026 - Elwood L. Crossan Park Solar Observing Event, Landenberg, PA. 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Monday, August 24, 2026 - Downingtown Library Loaner Scope Talk #4, 122 Wallace Ave, Downingtown, PA 19335. The event is scheduled from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.

A solar eclipse, one of the year's best meteor showers, Venus at its brightest in the evening sky, and a partial lunar eclipse to close out the month. On August 12, a total solar eclipse crosses northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and a small corner of Portugal. In parts of the United States, from Alaska to North Carolina, the eclipse will be partial. Use certified eclipse glasses or a safe solar viewer whenever any part of the Sun is visible. Later that night, the Perseid meteor shower peaks under the dark skies of the New Moon. Around August 14 through 16, Venus shines low in the west after sunset, and on August 27-28, a partial lunar eclipse is visible from much of the Americas and parts of Europe and Africa. 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://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/whats-up/

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/.

Scientists have captured the clearest image yet of the mysterious object suspected beside Betelgeuse—and it may change how astronomers understand the famous red supergiant. For more than a century, Betelgeuse has produced a strange brightness pattern that repeats roughly every six years. Now, observations from the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope have revealed the strongest evidence yet for Betelgeuse B, also known as Siwarha, a hidden companion star buried inside Betelgeuse’s overwhelming glare. But the discovery goes far beyond a second point of light. Hubble observations suggest the companion may be moving through Betelgeuse’s extended atmosphere, leaving a dense wake, disturbing its stellar wind, and influencing how the massive star loses material. Could this hidden star affect the future Betelgeuse supernova? Does the discovery mean Betelgeuse will explode soon? And why did it remain invisible for so long? In this video, we examine the new Betelgeuse image, the mysterious six-year cycle, the evidence for a binary star system, and what this discovery could mean for Betelgeuse’s eventual explosion. Paperlink : https://www.eso.org/public/archives/releases/sciencepapers/eso2611/eso2611a.pdf

Visit our website for up-to-the-minute updates: www.nasaspacenews.com.

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.

CCAS has partnered with Chester County Lifelong Learning to offer a six-week program meeting in the spring of 2026. For more information, including dates of the classes, contact our Education Co-Chairs. Learn more about the location, the topics covered, and how to register on the classes page.

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.

• Saturday, August 8, 2026 - CCAS Solar Saturday Observing Session: Downingtown Library, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Wednesday, August 12, 2026 - CCAS Solar Observing Session: Downingtown Library, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Friday, August 14, 2026 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, BRC. The observing session starts at sunset (Rain date: August 15, 2026). For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Saturday, August 15, 2026 - CCAS Solar Observing Session: Exton Library, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - CCAS Solar Observing Session: Downingtown Library, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Thursday, August 20, 2026 - CCAS Solar Observing Session: Kennett Library, Kennett, PA, 3:00-5:00 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Friday, August 21, 2026 - CCAS Special Observing Session: Elwood L. Crossan Park, Franklin Township, Landenberg, PA. (Rain date: August 22, 2026). For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.
• Saturday, August 22, 2026 - Elwood L. Crossan Park Solar Observing Event, Landenberg, PA. 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Don Miller.

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 2026, 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.