The San Mateo County Astronomical Society Star Parties, Speaker Series, and meetings are open to the public. Speaker Series and meetings happen in person at the College of San Mateo Planetarium. General meetings and socials start at 7:00 pm in Room 110 in the ISC Building (36), and Speaker presentations start at 8:00 pm in the Planetarium​ or a nearby lecture room.​

Speaker Series

Join the San Mateo County Astronomical Society for a thrilling Speaker Series featuring renowned experts from the realms of astronomy, physics, and related fields. Engage with thought leaders who bring the latest from the frontiers of scientific discovery right to our meetings. Our lineup includes luminaries from NASA-Ames, Stanford, SETI, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, and other prestigious institutions across the US, connecting us to the heart of scientific innovation. This is your chance to be at the forefront of groundbreaking research and developments in the cosmos!

Feb. 2, 8:00 pm Alone in the Milky Way by Dr Pascal Lee

Mar. 1, 8:00 pm Experiencing the Great North American Eclipse! by Rob Hawley

Apr. 12, 7:30 pm Mental Imagery in Art & Science by Mohsen Janatpour

May 3: Including Special Presentation

7:40 pm. Michael Chriss Astronomy Award winner Alexandra Szabo

8:00 pm. A Cosmic Shadow Theater: How Galaxy Silhouettes Reveal Their Dark Side by Dr Emmanuel Schaan

Sept. 6, 8:00 pm Planetarium Show by Prof Darryl Stanford, plus fulldome movie Unveiling the Invisible Universe

(note: the Mars Helicopter presentation scheduled for 9/6 was rescheduled to 12/6)

Oct. 4, 8:00 pm Astrobee! The ISS Robotic Free Flyer by Dr Brian Coltin

Nov. 1, 8:00 pm Fluidic Telescope (FLUTE) by Dr Edward Balaban

Dec. 6, 8:00 pm The Future of Mars Helicopters by Shannah Withrow

Catch up on our Past speakers

SMCAS News Group

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Star Parties

Join us under the starry skies for our mesmerizing Star Parties, hosted by the San Mateo County Astronomical Society. Twice each month, we transform Crestview Park in San Carlos into a gateway to the stars. Come Discover the Universe with us.

Day     Sunset   

Feb.  3 5:35 PM   
Feb. 10 5:42 PM  

Mar.  2 6:04 PM   
Mar.  9 6:11 PM   

Apr.  6 7:37 PM   
Apr. 13 7:43 PM   

May   4 8:02 PM   
May  11 8:08 PM   

June  1 8:25 PM   
June  8 8:29 PM   
June 29 8:34 PM   

July  6 8:33 PM   
July 27 8:21 PM 

Aug.  3 8:14 PM   
Aug. 31 7:38 PM   

Sep.  7 7:28 PM   
Sep. 28 6:55 PM   

Oct.  5 6:45 PM   
Oct. 26 6:16 PM   

Nov.  2 6:09 PM   
Nov. 23 4:53 PM   
Nov. 30 4:51 PM   

Dec. 28 4:59 PM