Kern Astronomical Society

The Kern Astronomical Society (K.A.S.) promotes community awareness of current events in astronomy, and provides a forum for sharing of knowledge and experiences among amateur astronomers. The Kern Astronomical Society meets at 7:30 PM on the first Thursday of each month at the William M Thomas Planetarium at Bakersfield College during their Fall and Spring semesters and other times at the Northminster Presbyterian Church 3700 North Union Avenue (across from Oak Warehouse) in Bakersfield.

Usual meeting spot at the Planetarium shown below:

View Larger Map

The Planetarium is on the second floor of the Math-Science building so those who need an elevator, see the elevator access route map on the Planetarium's website.

Astronomy Day Saturday April 17, 2010 at Foothill High School

(select the link to bring up a PDF of the flyer with the schedule of events). Link to Google map of Foothill High School

Annual membership is $20.00 and $25 for those getting paper copies of the Syzygy (to cover postage). With membership Sky and Telescope and / or Astronomy magazines are available at reduced rates. New members get first crack at borrowing one of the club telescopes for a month!

• We have club star parties every month on the Saturday evenings (sometimes also Friday evenings) before and after New Moon (weather permitting). Favorite spots for these are: near the Lockwood Valley ranger station (alternate map and look for the Chuchupate Ranger Station) & Mt Pinos (other maps). Other areas we've been to are: Wind Wolves Preserve, Red Rock Canyon, and an airfield at Barringer Canyon Hwy.
• We give star parties for school groups during the early fall semester and late spring semester when the weather is still decent and the schools are in session.
• We also hold public star parties for the general public at various times of the year. Popular spots for these are at C.A.L.M. (local zoo), Barnes+Noble on California Ave near Hwy 99, Russo's Bookstore in the MarketPlace, and Panorama Park on Panorama Drive, a little west of Bakersfield College (near where Linden Ave runs into Panorama Drive)
• Star Party Photo Album shows some of our members and their telescopes (before nightfall!).

Our monthly newsletter is called the "SYZYGY". Copies of the newsletter are posted on the web as PDF documents. Select here to go to the newsletter archive.

Officers

Ever wondered where those Mars Exploration Rovers are on Mars? Go to the MER Sites page prepared by one of our members to see! How about the "Face on Mars"?

SpacePlace Archive at KAS

Astro-photography Album

Have you taken images of some celestial object that you would like to share with others? Send them to the KAS webmaster and he will put them in the KAS astro-photo album!

Quick Links

1. This week's sky at a glance
2. Sky almanac (quick overview of what's visible now)
3. Astronomy Notes (will answer just about any other astronomy question)
4. Bakersfield College Planetarium

last updated: March 1, 2010

Webpage contact: Nick Strobel