A handful of Ames residents have their sights set on the moon and stars in their eyes.

Ed Engle, past president of the Ames Amateur Astronomers Club, said a group of amateur astronomers founded the club in 1979 when they decided to formalize their get-togethers.

The first meeting of the year, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, will kick off club activities.

The club holds public “Star Parties” from April through October, Engle said. These are a chance for the public to listen to presentations on different astronomical topics.

“When we have something exciting, such as a meteor shower, we have had around 150 people show up for these Star Parties,” he said. “Though, on average, the attendance ranges between 30 and 40 people.”

The club plans to educate the public about the sun during June or July’s Star Party, Engle said. Specially-designed telescopes will be set up to observe the sun.

Future club plans include meteor watching and highlighting and examining one or two constellations in detail, he said.

The organization also has studied prehistoric and Native American stories and legends about constellations, Engle said.

Iowa State has helped the club by installing “full-cutoff night lighting” on campus, he said. This means no light from campus extends horizontally or upward, but is directed down.

Members have access to the expertise of other members, the Story County Observatory and telescopes.

“A lot of what we do is helping people understand their equipment and how to use it,” Engle said.

The club welcomes “people from all walks of life,” he said.

The only requirement to join is an interest in astronomy.

All meetings and Star Parties are held in the Story County Conservation Center at McFarland Park, 56461 180th St. in Ames.

Meetings will begin the third Saturday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Star Parties begin at 8 p.m.

Donations and dues fund the astronomy club. Adults pay $20 for the year, while a family pass is $25. Those younger than 18 are entitled to a reduced rate.

For more information, contact the Story County Conservation at (515) 232-2516.