Blog

2026 Star Parties and events

January 3, 2026

2026 Schedule- tentative

October 29, 2025

2026 Schedule 

note- Hillcrest meetings ARE the 2nd Friday of the Month. January thru June

PLUS- We are working on 2 Mount Wilson trips- dates TBD when available


January 09th- Friday at Hillcrest, VCAS meeting w guest speaker Dave Holland The Winter Sky

February 13th  Friday at Hillcrest, VCAS meeting with guest speaker Dr.  Caleb Baker NASA - Nancy Grace Roman telescope talk

March 13th Friday, at Hillcrest VCAS meeting with guest Speaker Sarah Elizabeth McCandless- JPL/NASA 

March 21st-Saturday,  Messier Marathon, TBD  


April 10th Friday, at Hillcrest VCAS meeting with guest Speaker- Tim Robertson- ALPO- all about the Assoc. of Lunar & Planetary Observations

May 02th Saturday, VCAS Booth at Simi Valley Street Fair

May 08th Friday, Hillcrest VCAS meeting with guest Speaker (tbd)

May 09th Saturday, night at Paramount Ranch ( Star Party) 

June 12th Friday, at Hillcrest VCAS meeting with guest Speaker (tbd)

June 20th  Saturday at Paramount Ranch  (Public) Star Party

July 11th or 18th Saturday Park in the Dark, Santa Monica Mountains Natl Park Service.  -  location (tbd) Star Party

Aug 08th, Saturday night,  Star Party at Paramount Ranch

Sept 19th Saturday night Star Party at Paramount Ranch

Oct 17th, Saturday night, Star Party at Paramount Ranch

Nov 13th  Friday Hillcrest VCAS meeting/ Vote in our Board of Directors (Public/ only members vote for BOD) Speaker (tbd)

December 05th Saturday  VCAS Holiday Banquet (member only/ reservation required) 

Ventura County Astronomical Society in a nutshell

September 7, 2024

What is the Ventura County Astronomical Society (VCAS)?

Are you passionate about exploring the stars and deepening your understanding of the universe? Join the Ventura County Astronomical Society (VCAS) and connect with a community of amateur astronomers! We offer engaging events, including public star parties, expert-led lectures, and hands-on workshops. Whether you're new to astronomy or a seasoned stargazer, our members enjoy exclusive access to telescopes, astro-imaging groups, field trips to dark-sky locations, and more. Come and share your curiosity with us—everyone is welcome under the stars!

 

 

 

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How to Watch the Solar Eclipse

March 29, 2024

Featured in the Ventura County Star, VCAS members provide insights and guidance for watching the upcoming total solar eclipse.

President's Message 2024

January 1, 2024

Happy New Year to All. I am looking forward to representing our society this year as your new 2024 Society President. With a new year we begin a new chapter into the VCAS, and I am looking forward to re-energizing our society into the future.

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Hal Jandorf (1948-2023)

October 28, 2023

Moorpark College adjunct professor Harold "Hal" Jandorf spent his career showing students and others the importance of looking skyward.

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Shooting stars at Chuchupate

August 31, 2023

Some VCAS members traveled to the Chuchupate ranger station to observe the peak of the Perseid meteor shower on Aug 12.