About Us
The Quad Cities Astronomical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and informing the public about events and interests
in the world of astronomy.
Our club observatory is located at Sherman Park, north of Dixon, IA. It houses a 20" EQ mounted Newtonian reflector and several "loner"
scopes for the use of club members and at star parties.
We hold public star parties one evening each month starting at dusk (weather permitting) beginning shortly after sunset
at the Sherman Park Observatory. We also host the annual Eastern Iowa Star Party.
Membership is $20 for an individual or $25 for a family and includes a subscription to the Meridian (the club"s newsletter), use
of club facilities and scopes, a discount on Sky & Telescope Magazine subscription, and a great feeling of being a part of the best
club this side of the Mississippi!
Membership meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00pm in room 105, McCarthy Hall at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA.
Click here for a map by Google
Follow this link to read the QCAS By-Laws.
Current Officers:
PRESIDENT |
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VICE PRESIDENT |
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SECRETARY |
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TREASURER |
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DIRECTOR |
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PROGRAMMING |
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OUTREACH |
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FACILITIES |
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ALCOR |
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WEBMASTER |
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MERIDIAN EDITOR |
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Founding of the QCAS
by Wayne Jens
Mr. Andy Clark, of the Park & Recreation Dept. in the summer of 1979, contacted Mr. Morris Calsyn of St. Ambrose to set up an astronomy
program with telescopes for a public viewing. Mr. Calsyn contacted a few amateurs and asked them to participate on three Tuesday evenings.
The program was advertised to schools and boy and girl scout groups. The first night the program and scopes were set up next to the
putting green at Emeis Park. The program went fine, with a large group of people, until the automatic sprinkler system turned on requiring
the scopes to be moved quickly. The following week we moved to the area south of the tennis courts where we held public programs for
many years.
Mr. Calsyn talked about organizing a club and wrote a letter 17 Nov. 1980 for a meeting at the St. Ambrose Faculty Lounge. A large group
came and a club was formed with Wayne Jens President, Dana Taylor Vice President, Andrea Schneider Secretary, Rachel Serianze Treasurer,
Ron Pearson Programs, Walter Bredbeck Facilities, Morris Calsyn & Joe Getz Publicity. By-laws were drafted at a later meeting and
Dana Taylor designed a Logo. The first meetings were held at Lewis Hall St. Ambrose.
Presidents who served; Wayne Jens 1980 - 83, Ron Pearson 1984 - 86, Dana Taylor 1987 - 88, Al Cattior 1989 - 90, Bill Brown 1991 - 93,
Ken Boquist 1994, Bill Meyers 1995 - 96, Bill Brown 1997. Members serving on the Board: John Waack, Dennis Means, Andrea Schneider,
Richard Batcher.
The Eastern Iowa Star Party started in 1982 at Eden Valley County Park with the assistance of Bob Bryant. The star party became too
big for Eden Valley and required equipment to be moved to the top of the hill. The Party moved to Sherman Park in 1990 then to the Boy
Scout Camp, which became the Wapsi River Environmental Center in 1991.
Papers for Non-Profit Corporation were filed 5 Aug. 1982. Early meeting notices were sent out by Post Cards. The newsletter "Meridian"
was started in April 1982, by Gene Ullsmith.
Early Astronomy Day Programs were held at North Park shopping Mall and also at Le Claire Park in May 1991. The club has assisted Mr.
Don Schafer at Bettendorf High School, Mr. Tom Irvin at North High School. A few programs were set up at the Putnam Museum, The Corps
of Engineers Recreation Centers and the Bettendorf Museum.
The storage building and telescope Pads at Sherman Park were built by members in Nov. 1987.
There may be some inaccuracies and omissions and for that I'm sorry.