The SDAA hosts many events throughout the year. Below is a description of the events that the SDAA will be participating in or sponsoring. Please note that inclement weather may postpone or cancel any outdoorevents. Before traveling to any event, always check with the SDAA or the event coordinator directly to be certain that the event is still scheduled and going forward.



Stars In The Park (TM)

Event Coordinator:
At dusk on the first Wednesday of each month, following the monthly "Sky Tonight" planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater, members of the SDAA set up telescopes west of the Fleet on The Prado, for free public sky viewing.

 Stars at Mission Trails (TM)

Event Coordinator: Kin Searcy
The SDAA holds a monthly Star Party at Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) on the second Friday of every month at sunset at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground on the Santee side of MTRP. We set up at the day-use parking lot, which is just to the right after you enter the campground. Directions to MTRP may be found on the MTRP website.

 Stars at Sycamore Canyon (TM)

Event Coordinator: Kin Searcy
The SDAA holds a monthly Star Party on the third Friday of every month at sunset at the Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch Open Space Preserve at the Hwy 67 Staging area. Located at the east end of Poway, this venue offers a pretty dark sky for being only 19 miles, as the crow flies, from downtown San Diego.  There are no homes or business directly around the viewing area and the panoramic view of the city below is amazing.

To access this venue, use the park entrance on Hwy 67, ½ mile south of Scripps Poway Parkway. Continue through the gate and up the dirt road about 1½ miles where the Rangers will direct you where to park.

 Camp with the Stars

Event Coordinator: Doug McFarland

One weekend every month from late Spring through early Fall, the San Diego Astronomy Association sets up telescopes at the campground at William Heise County Park in Julian. Everyone that brings a telescope to share with the public can camp for free. The general public is welcome, but there is a fee to get into the campgrounds, and please contact them for that information.  Contact Doug at (760) 583-5436 if you will be attending and bringing a telescope so he can let you know of any last minute changes or give you any additional details. 

 Program Meetings

 Event Coordinator: Bill Carlson

The SDAA Program Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor and Interpretative Center, beginning at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:30 PM. After making announcements and conducting a small amount of business, the audience is treated to a talk or presentation by a featured speaker. The event is open to the public. Directions to MTRP may be found on their website.

For a complete Program Meeting schedule, go to the Program Meeting web page

Tierra del Sol Public Star Parties

Event Coordinator: Jim Traweek

Once a month, the SDAA Tierra del Sol observing site and the 22-inch Lipp Telescope are open to the public. Star Parties at the site start at sunset. The public is invited to come view through the Club telescopes and request views of their favorite objects. Check out the Tierra del Sol page of the Resources section of this website for directions to the site and other important information.

Amateur Telescope Making

Event Coordinator: Peter DeBaan

From 9am – noon nearly every Saturday, members of the SDAA grind and test optics, and build telescopes in Peter’s four car garage turned optical shop. A nominal $2 fee is charged to attend and all other supplies are provided at or below cost. To get started on your first telescope or to refigure or improve an existing one, contact Peter at ATM@sdaa.org or Phone: 760-745-0925.

RSVP Required
Public and School Star Parties

Event Coordinator: See Event Listing

The Club's Star Party Coordinators arrange for SDAA members to attend special events at many other public places and schools within the county. A schedule of upcoming Public Star Parties can be found on the SDAA Calendar. Members can find out information about upcoming School Star Parties on the Club's Yahoo group.