Group keeps their eyes to the sky in San Carlos

What started as a four-person “hobby club” in 1960 expanded into a local organization that advocates for science education and cosmic admiration. More than six decades since its formation, the society had since displayed eminence as a NASA-recognized institution acclaimed for promoting engagement in astronomy with guest speakers, class visits and coordinating viewing events from stargazing and eclipses.

With astronomy as one of the oldest forms of natural science, SMCAS believes that having the childlike wonder with outer space does not have to end with the coming of age. Astronomy is for everyone, and that includes one of SMCAS board members, Kevin Simpson, who only started his immersion into astronomy during the pandemic.

Space exploration and astronomy has always fascinated Simpson, especially during the early years of NASA’s Apollo Program, which started during the late ‘60s. Now at 64, he had the resources to follow his enchantment with space with other people.

“Sharing the beauty of the skies is just really worthwhile,” Simpson said. “I get excited. I’ve been known to be up [here at Crestview Park] by myself, find something beautiful — a nebula or a star cluster — and somebody’s walking through with their dog, and I’ll run over and say, ‘You gotta come and look at this,’ or ‘Come and look at Jupiter,’ or ‘Come and look at the moon.’”

Board members arrive at the San Carlos park carrying state-of-the-art telescopes and profound understanding of the celestial realm. They coach attendees on what they perceive at night when heavenly bodies are most visible. Simpson also teaches budding astronomers the basics of the Earth, sun and moon relationship. 

Parents like Redwood City resident Sarah Ou took her child to a viewing party to see celestial bodies up close. She supports her 6-year-old son’s passion over stars and planets and imagines how much fun he would have if they see them with a telescope.

“We used to go on walks, and [the stars] were his obsession,” Ou said. “They looked like balls and, from there, he learned all the planets.”

As a leader in astronomical education, the society also works closely with local institutions like College of San Mateo, which offers an associate’s degree in astronomy. The society has supported the development of the college’s observatory and planetarium, and also partners with the college’s astronomy department in hosting events and advancing the community’s involvement in astronomy. 

Frank Presto is a returning student from Skyline College studying to be a paralegal. Coming back to college provided him more freedom in choosing what courses he wants apart from what is required on his degree, so he decided to deepen his interest in studying space and enrolled in CSM’s astronomy course. From there, he got acquainted with the society, and decided to join as a member.

“I think [the society] is really cool because of the fact that they’re open to allowing the public to utilize their equipment and the fact that the community itself is very open and welcoming,” Presto said. “Usually, when you find niche groups like this, they’re really close source, close community in a sense, but I’ve never experienced any kind of animosity from anybody.”

The society invites avid astronomers and casual star-gazers to join in their regular viewing parties to witness different stellar objects up close.

“I always like to tell people, ‘If you didn’t see something you like tonight, come back next week or the week after or the following month because the sky completely changes,’” Simpson said.