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.

• Wednesday, October 2, 2024 - Beginner Astronomy Class: Our Moon—Phases and Faces. In partnership with Chester County Lifelong Learning, the one-hour class is at Pierce Middle School, West Chester, PA, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
• Thursday, October 3 to Sunday, October 6, 2024 - York County Star Party #2, Susquehannock State Park, 1880 Park Dr, Drumore, PA 17518.
• Friday, October 4, 2024 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, Brandywine Red Clay Alliance. The observing session starts at sunset.
• Tuesday, October 8, 2024 - CCAS Monthly Meeting, in Room 112, Merion Science Center, WCU. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. Guest Speaker: Dr. Scott Engle, Villanova University, "Recent Findings of the "Living with a Red Dwarf Program": How do M Dwarf Stars Evolve, and Can they Host Habitable Planets?"
• Wednesday, October 9, 2024 - Beginner Astronomy Class: Other Kids on the Block—the Planets. In partnership with Chester County Lifelong Learning, the one-hour class is at Pierce Middle School, West Chester, PA, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
• Friday, October 11, 2024 - Special Observing Session with Atglen Public Library at Wolf's Hollow Park in Atglen, PA. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Michael Manigly.
• Wednesday, October 16, 2024 - Beginner Astronomy Class: Observing Basics, Star Charts and Planetarium Software. In partnership with Chester County Lifelong Learning, the one-hour class is at Pierce Middle School, West Chester, PA, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
• Monday, October 21, 2024 - CCAS Special Observing Session: International Observe the Moon Night w/NASA @ Wolf's Hollow Park in Atglen, PA. 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Michael Manigly.
• Wednesday, October 23, 2024 - Beginner Astronomy Class: Observing Basics, Star Charts and Planetarium Software. In partnership with Chester County Lifelong Learning, the one-hour class is at Pierce Middle School, West Chester, PA, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
• Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - Beginner Astronomy Class: Beyond Naked Eye Observing (deep sky stuff). In partnership with Chester County Lifelong Learning, the one-hour class is at Pierce Middle School, West Chester, PA, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.

What are some skywatching highlights in October 2024? A potentially bright comet (C/2023 A3) to look for after mid-month, good opportunities to spy the ocean world NASA's launching to, and the monthly dance of four planets with the Moon. 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/.

October 2024 is a month full of awe-inspiring celestial events! Watch the stunning Annular Solar Eclipse on October 2nd, catch the Orionid Meteor Shower peaking on October 20-21, and witness Comet C/2023 A3 at its brightest on October 12. Plus, don't miss the Supermoon on October 17 and a rare lunar occultation of Saturn on October 14. Get ready for a spectacular show in the night sky.

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 autumn of 2024. 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.

• Thursday, October 3 to Sunday, October 6, 2024 - York County Star Party #2, Susquehannock State Park, 1880 Park Dr, Drumore, PA 17518.
• Friday, October 4, 2024 - CCAS Monthly Observing Session, Myrick Conservancy Center, Brandywine Red Clay Alliance. The observing session starts at sunset.
• Friday, October 11, 2024 - Special Observing Session with Atglen Public Library at Wolf's Hollow Park in Atglen, PA. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Michael Manigly.
• Monday, October 21, 2024 - CCAS Special Observing Session: International Observe the Moon Night w/NASA @ Wolf's Hollow Park in Atglen, PA. 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. EDT. For more information, contact our Observing Chair, Michael Manigly.

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 2024, 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.