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.

Public Star Parties at Barnes & Noble on Saturdays: August 21, September 18, and October 16 evening after sunset through about 10 PM

It is the "A" position in the map below.

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Club vote coming in September: Stay with Thursday evenings at the Planetarium or move back to original Friday evenings at Northminster Presbyterian (on N Union)?

Usual meeting spot at the Planetarium shown below:

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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. For the May 2010 meeting, go through the MS 107 door (next to the stairs after you get off the elevator) to get to the south side of the building and then turn right to get to MS 103.

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 -- Forest Route 8N04 = Frazier Mountain Road) & 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: August 16, 2010

Webpage contact: Nick Strobel