Riverside Astronomical Society

Your Health and Safety Come First. Always.

The Riverside Astronomical Society is continuing to monitor COVID-19 related health conditions in San Bernardino, Riverside, and surrounding counties to help us inform how we handle our normal in-person activities. With that in mind, see below for where things stand with our different activities.

Star Parties

As of April 2022, we are happy to announce the return of star parties at GMARS! Our first "post-COVID" star party was held April 1st thru 3rd. We look forward to hosting future star parties and starbecues! It is still a good idea to take certain precautions when groups of people gather. Precautions and guidelines include:

• Wipe down and disinfect all surfaces you use or touch. This includes but is not limited to kitchen and bathroom countertops, faucet handles, appliance handles, tables, door handles, and toilet seats.
  
  
• If entering either house, do what you need to do then exit. We do not advise hanging out and congregating inside the houses, watching TV, sitting for extended periods at the kitchen table, sleeping on the sofas, etc.
  
  
• Please do not gather with people at GMARS who are not part of your immediate household. Large groups (groups of more than 5 people) are discouraged at this time.
  
  
• If you do find yourself indoors with other people, it is recommended that you wear a face mask (preferably an N-95 mask covering both your nose and mouth).
  
  
• Visitors are free to use the telescope field which is currently open and accessible, even when the houses are not open. If you are not a keyholder and you decide to visit GMARS for an extended period, it is assumed that (1) you have made arrangements with a keyholder for access to the house's bathrooms and/or kitchen or that (2) you are self-reliant and have those facilities available to you (either with an RV or proper camping equipment).
  
  

Monthly Club Meetings

As of July 2022, we are back to having in-person club meetings in Cossentine Hall at La Sierra University!

Board meetings and pre-meeting dinner locations and details to be announced. Check the Meeting Details page.

Outreach

We have resumed Outreach activities! See the RAS Outreach Calendar for more details. Watch your email, the monthly PrimeFocus, and social media for details.

Stay tuned to this page, the home page, or our Facebook page for additional details as we navigate our way through the coming weeks and months.

Helpful Links
San Bernardino County Department of Public Health COVID-19 Resource Site
California COVID-19 Response
RAS Facebook Page