EAS Needs Your Support

Founded in 1924, the Eastbay Astronomical Society is one of the oldest astronomical societies in the West. EAS is an entirely volunteer run 501(c)3 NPO. Located at the Chabot Space and Science Center in the Oakland, California hills, EAS hosts monthly astronomy lectures, runs one of the nation’s longest running telescope makers’ workshops, maintains and repairs the three historic telescopes at Chabot, provides volunteers for weekly public viewing nights, offers a telescope lending program, curates a library, and brings “star parties” and STEM education to children and adults throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2016, on behalf of Chabot, EAS restored the Zeiss Universarium planetarium star projector. EAS technicians operate the Zeiss star projector.

Donate to our Zeiss fund, our General fund, or pick a different specific cause below.


Save the Zeiss Campaign

The Eastbay Astronomical Society maintains and operates the Zeiss Universarium Mark VIII projector at the Chabot Space & Science Center. One of only four in the United States, the opti-mechanical star projector is the world’s finest planetarium projector. The quality of its star field far exceeds that of any digital projector.

The Zeiss, however, is in dire need of repair and upgrade. Your generous, tax-deductible donation will help keep the stars shining for Bay Area residents and provide STEM education to thousands of local youth.




Donate to EAS

Help EAS continue to provide its public education events, including its monthly speaker series, community outreach, and supporting activities at the Chabot Space and Science Center.





Betty Neall Youth Award of Merit

EAS offers a monetary award, at its annual awards dinner, for young affiliates and members who wish to pursue further education in astronomy or physical sciences.  Help us encourage the next generation of scientists and make a donation.





Burns Library Fund

EAS manages the historical Burns Library book collection, located at the Chabot Space and Science Center.  Help us support the acquisition, care and cataloging of the materials, and by all means drop in some time to view the collection.





Historical Instruments Maintenance Fund

EAS maintains Chabot’s historical telescopes. These include Leah, our 8″ Alvin Clark Refractor, and Rachel, our 20″ Brashear Refractor. We also contribute to the maintenance and operation of Nellie, Chabot’s 36″ research reflector.




Telescope Makers’ Workshop

The TMW is a free workshop that teaches people of all ages how to grind and polish their own optics and build a high quality Dobsonian style telescope. Donations help us pay for grit, polishing compound, and other materials that we provide at no charge to our students.





Header photo by EAS member John Panagos.