What we’re about
The Peninsula Astronomical Society (PAS) is an SF Bay Area astronomy club of enthusiasts of all ages, backgrounds, and experience. One thing that we all have in common is an interest in the night sky!
The PAS frequently hosts astronomy talks and events, and also runs the public Friday night and Saturday morning observing programs at Foothill Observatory on the Foothill College campus in Los Altos, California. Learn more about us, our programs, and public observatory openings at pastro.org.
Joining this Meetup group will keep you posted on public talks and events that are free of charge and do not require being a member. However, if you're interested in astronomy, we encourage you to become an official PAS member! Get the details on our PAS Membership page.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Friday Night Stargazing @ Foothill ObservatoryFoothill College Observatory, Los Altos Hills, CA
Foothill Observatory is open for public observing on CLEAR Friday evenings from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. You don't have to RSVP here to attend; just come by!
Visitors can view the wonders of the universe through the observatory's computer-controlled 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, operated by the Peninsula Astronomical Society (PAS). Views of objects in our solar system may include craters and mountains on the moon, the moons and cloud-bands of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, and much more!
The choice of targets for any evening’s viewing depends on the weather, the season, and what objects are currently in the sky. On clear, dark, moonless nights, the telescope gives visitors views into the deeper reaches of space. Star clusters, nebulae, and distant galaxies provide dramatic demonstrations of the vastness of the cosmos.
Read more about PAS and Foothill Observatory events at pastro.org. If you like these events and are interested in astronomy, join our club! Membership is just $25 per year and has many benefits.
IN CASE OF POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS
If weather conditions are not suitable for observing (clouds, rain, etc.), the observatory may not open at all -- or may close early. In such cases, this Meetup event status is not updated. Check the observatory webcam at 9 p.m. to verify that it's open, or just come by if conditions look good! - Saturday Morning Solar Observing @ FoothillFoothill College Observatory, Los Altos Hills, CA
Foothill Observatory is open for public solar observing on CLEAR Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
NOTE: You need not RSVP here to attend; just come by!
Visitors to these daytime programs can view details of the sun through our special and safe solar filters, and dedicated solar telescope. We are able to provide spectacular views through both white-light and hydrogen-alpha (0.6 Angstrom) filters.
Visitors can inspect two different layers of the sun –– the photosphere and the chromosphere. Depending on solar activity, guests may see sunspots (giant cooler areas on the sun’s surface), solar prominences (huge flame-like eruptions), and solar flares (titanic explosions).
Read more about PAS and Foothill Observatory events at pastro.org
IN CASE OF POOR WEATHER
If weather conditions are not suitable for observing (clouds, rain, etc.), the observatory may not open at all -- or may close early. In such cases, this Meetup event status is not updated, so check the weather before coming by.
- Friday Night Stargazing @ Foothill ObservatoryFoothill College Observatory, Los Altos Hills, CA
Foothill Observatory is open for public observing on CLEAR Friday evenings from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. You don't have to RSVP here to attend; just come by!
Visitors can view the wonders of the universe through the observatory's computer-controlled 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, operated by the Peninsula Astronomical Society (PAS). Views of objects in our solar system may include craters and mountains on the moon, the moons and cloud-bands of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, and much more!
The choice of targets for any evening’s viewing depends on the weather, the season, and what objects are currently in the sky. On clear, dark, moonless nights, the telescope gives visitors views into the deeper reaches of space. Star clusters, nebulae, and distant galaxies provide dramatic demonstrations of the vastness of the cosmos.
Read more about PAS and Foothill Observatory events at pastro.org. If you like these events and are interested in astronomy, join our club! Membership is just $25 per year and has many benefits.
IN CASE OF POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS
If weather conditions are not suitable for observing (clouds, rain, etc.), the observatory may not open at all -- or may close early. In such cases, this Meetup event status is not updated. Check the observatory webcam at 9 p.m. to verify that it's open, or just come by if conditions look good! - Saturday Morning Solar Observing @ FoothillFoothill College Observatory, Los Altos Hills, CA
Foothill Observatory is open for public solar observing on CLEAR Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
NOTE: You need not RSVP here to attend; just come by!
Visitors to these daytime programs can view details of the sun through our special and safe solar filters, and dedicated solar telescope. We are able to provide spectacular views through both white-light and hydrogen-alpha (0.6 Angstrom) filters.
Visitors can inspect two different layers of the sun –– the photosphere and the chromosphere. Depending on solar activity, guests may see sunspots (giant cooler areas on the sun’s surface), solar prominences (huge flame-like eruptions), and solar flares (titanic explosions).
Read more about PAS and Foothill Observatory events at pastro.org
IN CASE OF POOR WEATHER
If weather conditions are not suitable for observing (clouds, rain, etc.), the observatory may not open at all -- or may close early. In such cases, this Meetup event status is not updated, so check the weather before coming by.
