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Main Page >> Organizations and Associations VCAS - Ventura County Astronomical Society
Our club began on January 14, 1961, as the Oxnard Astronomical & Rocket Society (OARS), and was incorporated as the Ventura County Astronomical Society, Inc., on March 6, 1971. Our Mission as an organization is to bring the science and hobby of Astronomy to the public. We do this by holding monthly membership meetings which are free and open to the public. We host speakers at these meetings who talk about a variety of topics. We have had talks about observational astronomy, cosmology, astrophotography, NASA and JPL space programs. We include at least one hands-on telescope clinic each year to encourage members and others with telescopes to learn how to use them.
The VCAS reaches the public through events such as National Astronomy Day and hosts public star parties during the year. This allows the community to learn about the night sky and look through telescopes. Often this is the first time someone has seen the Moon or Saturn up close, and many people are excited by what they see!
One of our major efforts to achieve our mission is through our Outreach program. Club members visit schools, scout, church and civic groups to present information about astronomy and set up telescopes. We help teachers expand on the astronomy information they present in the classroom and help scouts earn their Astronomy badges.
VCAS members enjoy meeting and talking with others who share their hobby, and those who help with our public and Outreach events have devoted their own time to helping others discover the cosmos. Any of them will say, though, that it is all worthwhile when they hear a person say "WOW" when they look through their telescope.
Membership in the club is open to anyone with an interest in astronomy. Whether you are viewing the sky for the first time, or you are a seasoned astronomer, we invite you to come join us and experience one of our monthly meetings or our star parties.
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