​Due to the unprecedented events related to COVID-19 we are suspending all public meetings and events, including Crestview Star Parties until further notice.  You can receive email notices about the status of these and other SMCAS events by selecting the link below or going to https://groups.io/g/SMCASnews and joining the group.  

SMCAS History

History

The San Mateo County Astronomical Society  was founded in 1960 by four high school boys as a private hobby club, governed by the rigid reign of Robert’s Rules of Order, and replete with a system of five-cent fines for the least breach of protocol! Within a year, however, the San Mateo Astronomical Society began to evolve into its present form; a club which caters to the hobby interests of its members, but which also stresses public outreach, and a mission of bringing astronomy to the community in the form of free invitational programs and stargazing with telescopes. In 1976, the Society changed its name to the San Mateo County Astronomical Society, and became a California non-profit corporation, enabling it to qualify for use of certain public facilities, and to accept donations under the tax laws.

The Society met first in a private home, then in the San Mateo City Council Chambers.  It moved to the College of San Mateo in 1962 and, except for two years at Canada College, stayed until 1978, when Prop 13 funding cuts terminated College outreach.  Our return in September, 2000, though, with our energetic creation and hosting of public events, was the final element in creating a critical mass of skills, funds, commitment and initiative.  That led, in 2006-7, to CSM's fine, new planetarium, the first observatory in its history with new telescopes and equipment, and the implementation of its public outreach program.

For more detail on our history, please click on the following links:

     A Brief History of SMCAS presented at the 2016 Banquet

     Past Presidents of SMCAS from 1960 to 2016

About

Our group has only one membership category, which is effectively for the whole family. Members need not have any technical or professional qualification, nor do they need to be knowledgeable about astronomy. Please see the membership tab for information. 

Except for the cost of dinner at our annual Installation of Officers Banquet, our events are free and open to all members and friends of SMCAS.

The San Mateo County Astronomical Society holds a general meeting on the first Friday each month except January, July and August, starting 7:00 p.m.  on the first floor of the Science Building (Bldg 36) at the College of San Mateo.   The meetings begin with refreshments, chat and a brief business session in the Integrated Science Center (ISC) Room 110, followed by a guest speaker in the Planetarium.   See the Meetings tab for more information.