CDARC - California Dark Sky Astronomy Research Community

Welcome to our CDARC Meetup (pronounced see dark)! Our group is perfect for anyone interested in astronomy and experiencing the world at night. Join us for astrophotography and astronomy workshops and outings, as we explore the world at night together. Whether you're a seasoned astrophotographer, space enthusiast or nature lover, our community invites you to discover the beauty of the night sky together and meet others with similar passions.

We love to:

• Travel to dark sky locations to experience the night sky in its natural brilliance - full of stars, planets, and the Milky Way.
• Engage various forms of astrophotography, including deep sky, wide angle, and planetary photography.
• Stargaze from urban locations, and photograph celestial objects from our backyards.
• Look through telescopes and share tips on the best gear.
• Go on night hikes to experience the world at night.
• Learn about space science and contribute to the field of astronomy as amateur astronomers.
• Advocate and educate for dark sky preservation and community engagement on the effects of light pollution.
• Contemplate what it means to look up at night, and create art inspired by our experiences.
• Attend workshops to further our shared knowledge around amateur astronomy and dark sky preservation.

We are:

• Inclusive. LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC are warmly welcomed to our group. We understand that traveling to and or camping in dark sky locations may involve disproportionate risk to people of marginalized identities and strive to create gatherings which feel safe for everyone.
• Diverse in our approach to amateur astronomy. Some of us appreciate being in nature in a dark sky location, stargazing with just the naked eye, while others enjoy sharing tips and tricks on owning and operating highly technical astrophotography equipment.
• A growing community: CDARC was founded by Paolo Nicosia, Mason Hall, and Sam Cardoza with the goal of fostering a community of anyone interested in exploring and preserving the night sky and the world at night.
• different from astronomy clubs as we don’t offer regular meetings or dues and focus more on experiencing the world at night through community educational engagement and preservation advocacy.

We offer:

• Workshops in amateur astronomy, astrophotography and light pollution advocacy .
• Group outings to dark sky locations at established campgrounds and observatories.
• Connections to other organizations which share our passion for astronomy and night sky preservation.
• An opportunity to make lifelong friends with a shared love for the night sky!