About us
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!
Featured event
Celestial Campout: Pinnacles National Park
Join CDARC for a camping trip to Pinnacles!
We're headed South (about 2:30 hours from Oakland) to the rugged scenery and dark skies of Pinnacles National Park! On this trip we'll take over a group campsite where we can set up tents and telescopes and have a campout. Those up for a photographic night stroll will hike the Bear Gulch Reservoir trail and capture nightscapes of its spectacular canyon walls and pinnacle formations against the starry night.
Cost: You will need to pay for National Park entry, and we will split the cost of the group campground (which we have already reserved site G 125). You'll also want to bring your own provisions and camping gear for the campout.
The group site G125 accommodates 20, but Pinnacles is a relatively easy park to find a site if our group site fills up, so you can grab your own and meet us. There's a single large campground in the park, so all sites will be at a walkable distance.
update 4/18 4pm.
It looks likes we will be clouded out tonight here in Pinnacles NP. Sam and Paolo will still be here with a couple other folks but unfortunately astrophotography won't be happening. Youre still welcome to stop and hang out.
Be on the look out for next month's astrophotography outing.
Update 4/16:
An update on the weather forecast: Friday night looks mostly clear but Saturday night is looking cloudier than it was a couple days ago.
We actually rented the group campsite (G125) for two nights (Friday and Saturday) because the park requires 2 nights minimum. Due to the weather situation we have decided to open up the site on Friday to Meetup members. The organizers will be arriving Friday afternoon/evening, so if you come early, you may arrive before us. We will plan to do a night hike on Friday on the Bear Gulch Reservoir trail after setting up camp.
The organizers will still be camping Saturday night, and others are welcome to also! We'll have a campfire, and there's still a decent chance the sky will be clear enough for wide angle nightscapes.
We apologize for the last minute change of plans. For better and worse, working around the weather is just part of the hobby!
Update 4/13:
*The forecast for Saturday night is showing partly cloudy, with a low of 42°F
- We're expecting good opportunities for landscape/wide-angle photography, and will be leading a night hike on the Bear Gulch Reservoir trail. We'll pick the exact time for the hike on Saturday, when we have a better hourly forecast
*Other than the hike the itinerary will be casual / DIY. Feel free to explore the campground / park on your own or with new friends - Due to the part clouds, telescope viewing / imaging may be somewhat limited. We will keep an eye on the forecast as the weekend gets closer and hope for the best! 🤞 If you have a rig we still encourage you to bring it and set it up at the campsite
*We're camping in group site G125 - Enter the park via the east entrance (put the Pinnacles Campground in maps)
*You will need to pay a $30 fee per vehicle at the gate (cash not accepted) - Please check in with Sam, Mason, or Paolo upon arrival so we can mark you on the sign-in sheet.
*The organizers are arriving on Friday so feel free to arrive any time on Saturday - We have extra waivers if anyone didn't sign one when they registered for the event
*Please review the park's safety guidelines and campground rules. - There is no cell service in the park campground
*Please bring your own camping gear (tent, food, warm layers, flashlights, water bottles, etc.) The organizers will not be providing these things. Bring food and beverages to share if you like, but arrive as though you are camping solo - If you have questions about gear/camping in general, please DM one of the organizers and we can help you prepare! 🙂
*One more time, for emphasis: It will be cold! Lows of ~42°F. Please bring extra warm layers and a warm sleeping bag / pad
TL;DR: It will be 42 degrees at night and partly cloudy. Bring all your own camping gear. Meet us at group site G125. Enjoy nature & community!
We're so excited to see you all this weekend! Don't hesitate to reach out via DM if you have any questions.
----------------
The event organizers have camping and night hiking experience, and are happy to offer guidance and answer any questions on how to show up well prepared for this outing.
With that being said....
Safety / Liability Information:
*Please note that this outing may involve hiking in the pitch dark in a wildlife area. It may be cold and will involve walking in uneven ground. You may not have cell phone service on the trail.
- This is a community meetup between peers. You and any guests you bring are responsible for their own safety at all times.
*When you RSVP yes to this event, it should prompt you to check a box which indicates you've read and agreed to the liability waiver at the bottom of this event description. Members who do not agree to the waiver are not invited to participate in this outing.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to the organizers with any questions you have about this event. We'll see you in the dark! 🪐✨
-The CDARC Team
----------------
Safety / Liability Waiver:
- I acknowledge that camping, hiking and walking activities involve risks, including but not limited to slips, trips, falls, and environmental hazards. I agree to follow all safety guidelines and instructions provided by the organizers.
- I understand the physical demands of the activity and confirm I am in suitable health to participate.
- I release the CDARC Meetup group and its organizers from any liability for injuries or damages that may occur during the activity.
- I understand that CDARC is a title for a meetup app community and not an entity and I do not need to follow their instructions.
- I understand and agree that the organizers of this event are to be held harmless and indemnified of any and all claims against various liabilities, including personal injury, death, and property damage or loss.
- I affirm that any guests I bring to this event have also read and agreed to the terms of this waiver.
Upcoming events
2
Celestial Campout: Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park Bear Gulch, 36.481336, -121.181431, Bear Gulch Road, Paicines, CA, USJoin CDARC for a camping trip to Pinnacles!
We're headed South (about 2:30 hours from Oakland) to the rugged scenery and dark skies of Pinnacles National Park! On this trip we'll take over a group campsite where we can set up tents and telescopes and have a campout. Those up for a photographic night stroll will hike the Bear Gulch Reservoir trail and capture nightscapes of its spectacular canyon walls and pinnacle formations against the starry night.
Cost: You will need to pay for National Park entry, and we will split the cost of the group campground (which we have already reserved site G 125). You'll also want to bring your own provisions and camping gear for the campout.
The group site G125 accommodates 20, but Pinnacles is a relatively easy park to find a site if our group site fills up, so you can grab your own and meet us. There's a single large campground in the park, so all sites will be at a walkable distance.
update 4/18 4pm.
It looks likes we will be clouded out tonight here in Pinnacles NP. Sam and Paolo will still be here with a couple other folks but unfortunately astrophotography won't be happening. Youre still welcome to stop and hang out.Be on the look out for next month's astrophotography outing.
Update 4/16:
An update on the weather forecast: Friday night looks mostly clear but Saturday night is looking cloudier than it was a couple days ago.
We actually rented the group campsite (G125) for two nights (Friday and Saturday) because the park requires 2 nights minimum. Due to the weather situation we have decided to open up the site on Friday to Meetup members. The organizers will be arriving Friday afternoon/evening, so if you come early, you may arrive before us. We will plan to do a night hike on Friday on the Bear Gulch Reservoir trail after setting up camp.
The organizers will still be camping Saturday night, and others are welcome to also! We'll have a campfire, and there's still a decent chance the sky will be clear enough for wide angle nightscapes.
We apologize for the last minute change of plans. For better and worse, working around the weather is just part of the hobby!
Update 4/13:
*The forecast for Saturday night is showing partly cloudy, with a low of 42°F
- We're expecting good opportunities for landscape/wide-angle photography, and will be leading a night hike on the Bear Gulch Reservoir trail. We'll pick the exact time for the hike on Saturday, when we have a better hourly forecast
*Other than the hike the itinerary will be casual / DIY. Feel free to explore the campground / park on your own or with new friends - Due to the part clouds, telescope viewing / imaging may be somewhat limited. We will keep an eye on the forecast as the weekend gets closer and hope for the best! 🤞 If you have a rig we still encourage you to bring it and set it up at the campsite
*We're camping in group site G125 - Enter the park via the east entrance (put the Pinnacles Campground in maps)
*You will need to pay a $30 fee per vehicle at the gate (cash not accepted) - Please check in with Sam, Mason, or Paolo upon arrival so we can mark you on the sign-in sheet.
*The organizers are arriving on Friday so feel free to arrive any time on Saturday - We have extra waivers if anyone didn't sign one when they registered for the event
*Please review the park's safety guidelines and campground rules. - There is no cell service in the park campground
*Please bring your own camping gear (tent, food, warm layers, flashlights, water bottles, etc.) The organizers will not be providing these things. Bring food and beverages to share if you like, but arrive as though you are camping solo - If you have questions about gear/camping in general, please DM one of the organizers and we can help you prepare! 🙂
*One more time, for emphasis: It will be cold! Lows of ~42°F. Please bring extra warm layers and a warm sleeping bag / pad
TL;DR: It will be 42 degrees at night and partly cloudy. Bring all your own camping gear. Meet us at group site G125. Enjoy nature & community!
We're so excited to see you all this weekend! Don't hesitate to reach out via DM if you have any questions.
----------------
The event organizers have camping and night hiking experience, and are happy to offer guidance and answer any questions on how to show up well prepared for this outing.
With that being said....Safety / Liability Information:
*Please note that this outing may involve hiking in the pitch dark in a wildlife area. It may be cold and will involve walking in uneven ground. You may not have cell phone service on the trail.
- This is a community meetup between peers. You and any guests you bring are responsible for their own safety at all times.
*When you RSVP yes to this event, it should prompt you to check a box which indicates you've read and agreed to the liability waiver at the bottom of this event description. Members who do not agree to the waiver are not invited to participate in this outing.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to the organizers with any questions you have about this event. We'll see you in the dark! 🪐✨
-The CDARC Team
----------------
Safety / Liability Waiver:- I acknowledge that camping, hiking and walking activities involve risks, including but not limited to slips, trips, falls, and environmental hazards. I agree to follow all safety guidelines and instructions provided by the organizers.
- I understand the physical demands of the activity and confirm I am in suitable health to participate.
- I release the CDARC Meetup group and its organizers from any liability for injuries or damages that may occur during the activity.
- I understand that CDARC is a title for a meetup app community and not an entity and I do not need to follow their instructions.
- I understand and agree that the organizers of this event are to be held harmless and indemnified of any and all claims against various liabilities, including personal injury, death, and property damage or loss.
- I affirm that any guests I bring to this event have also read and agreed to the terms of this waiver.
11 attendees- We're expecting good opportunities for landscape/wide-angle photography, and will be leading a night hike on the Bear Gulch Reservoir trail. We'll pick the exact time for the hike on Saturday, when we have a better hourly forecast
Astrophotography 101: Intro to Milky Way Astrophotography
10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, Ca, USWant to learn how to take pictures of the Milky Way? Ever wanted to learn how amazing starry night landscape images are made? Whether you have specific questions about your own astrophotography process, or you are completely new to night photography, this workshop will provide one-on-one training to help you on your journey in taking your own night sky photography.
In this workshop, we will focus specifically on Milky Way photography using a dslr (or mirrorless) camera. Using equipment provided by Chabot, we will walk you through different techniques of capturing the night sky outside on our observation deck and work with specific software to process a finished photo. Feel free to bring your own equipment or images to process.
You will be trained on how to operate astronomy gear that you can rent through the East Bay Astronomical Society’s Loaner Scope Program and gain introductory knowledge of how to get started capturing images of the night sky.
This workshop is part of a 3-part series of introductory astrophotography 101 workshops that can be taken together or independently. Workshops will have a combination of classroom time and time outside taking pictures of the night sky. All equipment and laptops are provided.
Note - this is a ticketed, paid workshop. Cost is $75, or $60 for Chabot members. Please purchase a ticket and pay through Chabot's website.
8 attendees
Past events
6
