Member/Business Meeting:
Monday, January 12, 2026 - 7:00 PM - Location To Be Determined
Directions available via e-mail, upon request.
SMAS Observing Sessions at the Nanjemoy Creek Observatory (NCO),
located at the Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center (NCEEC).
In December:
December 13, 2025
December 20, 2025
In January:
January 10, 2026
January 17, 2026
PLEASE NOTE:
*Observing Sessions are for SMAS members, special guests and prospective new members ONLY!
*SMAS schedules Free Public Star Parties at various locations throughout the year. See the calendar for details.
*To schedule a Free Private Star Party, contact the SMAS Program Coordinator.
*NCEEC is a gated facility, and NCO is operated by SMAS volunteers.
*For SMAS Observing Sessions, ALL NON-MEMBERS MUST arrange to meet a SMAS member on site, to be sure that they will have access.
*The scheduling of a SMAS Observing Session DOES NOT guarantee attendance by members, regardless of the weather.
*NCEEC is a facility of the Charles County School District, therefore it is a Smoke Free, Alcohol Free, Drug Free Zone.
Public Star Parties at NCEEC/NCO:
PLEASE NOTE: NCEEC is a facility of the Charles County School District, therefore it is a Smoke Free, Alcohol Free, Drug Free Zone.
PLEASE NOTE: Public Star Parties at NCEEC/NCO may be postponed or cancelled, due to inclement weather.
None Scheduled At This Time
Public Star Parties at Other Locations:
PLEASE NOTE: Public Star Parties at Other Locations may be postponed or cancelled, due to inclement weather.
Thursday, January 22, 2026 - Free Public Star Party
Potomac Branch Library
3225 Ruth B. Swann Drive
Indian Head, MD 20640
Phone: 301-375-7375
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cloud or Clear - Observing plans may be modified, based on weather conditions.
In the event of rain or snow, the event will be cancelled.
Registration Information Here
Thursday, February 26, 2026 - Free Public Star Party
Potomac Branch Library
3225 Ruth B. Swann Drive
Indian Head, MD 20640
Phone: 301-375-7375
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cloud or Clear - Observing plans may be modified, based on weather conditions.
In the event of rain or snow, the event will be cancelled.
Registration Information Here
Saturday, March 21, 2026 - Free Daytime Public Star Party
Part of the "HITS" (History, Industry, Technology, Science) Expo
St. Charles High School
5305 Piney Church Road
Waldorf, MD 20602
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cloud or Clear
SMAS displays may be modified, based on weather.
Friday, March 27, 2026 - Free Public Star Party
Kings Landing Park
3255 Kings Landing Road
Huntingtown, MD 20639
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Weather Permitting Only
Registration Requested - Details Pending
Saturday, March 28, 2026 - Rain Date for 3/27/26 Free Public Star Party
Kings Landing Park
3255 Kings Landing Road
Huntingtown, MD 20639
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Weather Permitting Only
Registration Requested - Details Pending
Saturday, April 11, 2026 Free Daytime Public Star Party
Part of the STEM/STEAM Fesitval
Velocity Center
4465 Indian Head Hwy
Indian Head, MD 20640
10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Cloud or Clear
SMAS displays may be modified, based on weather.
Saturday, May 30, 2026 - Free Daytime Public Star Party
Part of the "NatureFest" Event
College of Southern Maryland (CSM), La Plata Campus
8730 Mitchell Road
La Plata, MD 20646
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Cloud or Clear
SMAS displays may be modified, based on weather.
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 - Free Daytime Public Star Party
Kings Landing Park
3255 Kings Landing Road
Huntingtown, MD 20639
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Weather Permitting Only
Registration Requested - Details Pending
Friday, July 31, 2026 - Rain Date for 7/28/26 Free Public Star Party
Kings Landing Park
3255 Kings Landing Road
Huntingtown, MD 20639
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Weather Permitting Only
Registration Requested - Details Pending
Saturday, November 14, 2026 - FREE Public Star Party
Thomas Stone National Historic Site
6655 Rose Hill Road
Port Tobacco, MD 20677
301-392-1776
Start Time - 6:30 PM
Weather Permitting Only
Thomas Stone National Historic Site Website
Public Speaking Engagements and Astronomy Activities:
None Scheduled At This Time
Private Star Parties at NCEEC/NCO or Other Locations:
PLEASE NOTE: NCEEC is a facility of the Charles County School District, therefore it is a Smoke Free, Alcohol Free, Drug Free Zone.
PLEASE NOTE: SMAS is available to help Cub, Boy and Girl Scouts earn select Astronomy Badge Requirements. Contact the SMAS Program Coordinator for more information.
Friday, January 9, 2026 - Daytime Private Star Party - Lusby - 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM - Cloud or Clear - Observing plans may be modified, based on weather conditions.
Friday, January 16, 2026 - Daytime Private Star Party - California - Outdoor Observing Start Time - 9:00 AM - Cloud or Clear - Observing plans may be modified, based on weather conditions.
Friday, February 6, 2026 - Daytime Private Star Party - Lusby - 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM - Cloud or Clear - Observing plans may be modified, based on weather conditions.
Friday, February 20, 2026 - Private Star Party - Nanjemoy - Outdoor Observing Start Time - 6:30 PM - Weather Permitting Only.
Saturday, February 21, 2026 - Rain Date for 2/21/26 Private Star Party - Nanjemoy - Outdoor Observing Start Time - 6:30 PM - Weather Permitting Only.
Saturday, February 28, 2026 - Private Star Party - Nanjemoy - Outdoor Observing Start Time - To Be Determined - Weather Permitting Only.
Friday, March 6, 2026 - Daytime Private Star Party - Lusby - 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM - Cloud or Clear - Observing plans may be modified, based on weather conditions.
Friday, April 3, 2026 - Daytime Private Star Party - Lusby - 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM - Cloud or Clear - Observing plans may be modified, based on weather conditions.
Friday, May 1, 2026 - Daytime Private Star Party - Lusby - 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM - Cloud or Clear - Observing plans may be modified, based on weather conditions.
Thursday, November 19, 2026 - Private Star Party - Colton's Point - Outdoor Observing Start Time - 6:30 PM - Weather Permitting Only.
Friday, November 20, 2026 - Rain Date for 11/19/26 Private Star Party - Colton's Point - Outdoor Observing Start Time - 6:30 PM - Weather Permitting Only.
Private Speaking Engagements and Astronomy Activities:
None Scheduled At This Time
School/Scout Visitation Programs:
None Scheduled At This Time
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Contact the SMAS Program Coordinator with any questions and/or comments.
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