A Brief History of SAS

The Society for Astronomical Sciences can trace its roots to the International Amateur-Professional Photoelectric Photometry (IAPPP), which was formed in June, 1980.The Western I.A.P.P.P. U.S. Symposium was held annually in the Southern California area. The first few years were held in conjunction with the Riverside Telescope Makers Conference. In 1987 the Symposium was moved to the Thundercloud Inn in the City of Big Bear Lake. Then, in 1992 it moved to the Ramada Inn in San Bernardino.

The early years had modest attendance usually numbering around twenty. In 1998, the Western Wing of the I.A.P.P.P. was formed and the Symposium moved to The Lake Arrowhead Resort. Attendance improved dramatically with the new site and greater publicity. In 1999 it was again held in Lake Arrowhead. Wishing to enhance its ties with the RTMC Astronomy Expo, the Symposium has moved back to Big Bear, now taking up residence at the luxurious Northwoods Resort Hotel. In 2002, the Western Wing incorporated and in 2003 renamed itself the Society for Astronomical Sciences (SAS). The Society for Astronomical Sciences is a non-profit corporation exempt under I.R.S. Code Section 501(c)(3).