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 outdoor events. 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™
At dusk on the first Wednesday of each month, following the monthly “Sky Tonight” planetarium show in the Fleet Science Center IMAX Theater, members of the SDAA set up telescopes west of the Fleet on The Prado, for free public sky viewing.
Stars at Mission Trails™
The SDAA holds a monthly Star Party at Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) on the first 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.
Oak Oasis Star Party™
The Oak Oasis Star Party is a family event great for astronomers and Earthlings of all sizes. We meet at the trail head parking lot about dusk on the second Saturday of each month. The evening begins with a twilight hike with park rangers to check out some bats and scorpions while we wait for the stars to arrive. Once back at the campground, we begin looking at the stars and planets through telescopes. Meanwhile, we have a roaring campfire with s’mores, hot cocoa, and campfire songs.
Stars at West Sycamore™
The SDAA holds a monthly star party on the third Friday of each month at sunset at the Mission Trails Regional Park West Sycamore location, at the very East end of Stonebridge Parkway in Scripps Ranch. We set up in the day use parking lot just through the gate at the cul-de-sac forming the end of Stonebridge Parkway. Directions and maps are on the Mission Trails Regional Park website.
Stars at Sycamore Canyon™
The SDAA schedules a Star Party on the fourth Friday of every other month at sunset at the Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch Open Space Preserve. Please check the calendar for specific dates. To access this venue, use the park entrance on Hwy 67, 1/2 mile south of Scripps Poway Parkway. Continue through the gate and up the dirt road about 1½ miles to the parking area, this is where we setup. Coordinates from Google Earth for the viewing area are: 32°55’47.76″N, 116°58’10.89″W The street address for the park entrance gate is approximately: 13880 highway 67 Lakeside, CA.
Program Meetings
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 Star Parties
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.
Public and School Star Parties
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 Groups.io page.