About the society
Looking Up Since 1934
To encourage, foster, conduct and support programs on astronomy and related sciences for the education and enlightenment of the general public.
The Astronomical Society of Nevada has been doing that since 1934. We are a non-profit run entirely by volunteers, and most of what we do costs nothing to turn up to.
Public nights at the Marina
The third Friday of every month, at Sparks Marina. We set up on the western peninsula at sunset and stay until the last question has been asked. Sparks Parks and Recreation turn the peninsula lights off for us, which is a considerable kindness and makes the difference between a grey sky and a real one.
Nothing is needed and nothing is expected. People out for a walk or a run stop, look through a telescope, and often stay far longer than they meant to. Weather permitting, which in northern Nevada it usually is.
These evenings are held in memory of John Dobson (1915–2014), who spent his life putting telescopes on pavements and inviting strangers to look through them.
Schools, parks and the Visitor's Center
We run about eight star parties a year at Washoe County schools and parks, by invitation. If you are a teacher or run a group and would like one, ask us.
We also occasionally present programmes at the Galena Creek Visitor's Center on the Mt Rose Highway, announced in their newsletter.
A past president of the society, Jim Fahey, once described what these are for better than any mission statement does:
A student says “I have seen Saturn in pictures before.” Then the student looks through a modest-sized telescope at a small image and says, “Is that for real? It looks better than any picture!” One check mark for mission accomplished.
Dark skies
Each August the society supports Lassen Volcanic National Park's Dark Sky Festival — typically three nights of camping at 8,200 feet, where the seeing can be extraordinary.
Members also travel to the Great Basin Astronomy Festival, the Golden State Star Party and the Oregon Star Party.
Members' nights
Near each new moon, on a Saturday, we go somewhere properly dark — usually within an hour's drive of Reno. No telescope is needed, though one is welcome. This is where people try equipment out, ask the questions they did not want to ask in front of a crowd, and stand about in the cold talking until very late.
It is also where you might meet Mad Mike, our Messier Marathon master, who will show you all 110 Messier objects in a single night if the sky and your stamina both hold.
The society's telescopes
Members have the use of the club's 20-inch and 24-inch Obsession telescopes, and two solar telescopes that show the sun in hydrogen alpha light — flares, prominences and surface detail you cannot see any other way.
At star parties, members share views through club equipment and their own. It is the best way we know to find out what sort of telescope you might actually want before spending anything.
Meetings
The second Tuesday of the month, usually at 7pm, generally at the Fleischmann Planetarium, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno. A talk on some astronomical subject normally comes before the business part.
Times and places are confirmed each month by email and on our events page.
How the society is run
ASN is governed by an elected board and by its constitution, which sets out how the society works, how officers are chosen and what the membership may decide.
Joining
Membership is $30 a year. It supports the public programmes above, brings you the use of the society's telescopes, and puts you among people who will happily talk about eyepieces until two in the morning.
Join the society, or simply come along to a public night at the Marina first and see whether you like us.
Last reviewed 15 September 2026.