The Carolina Skygazers Astronomy Club came into being as a result of the fervor surrounding the 1985-86 return of Halley's Comet. In anticipation of the event, the club was founded by a handful of amateur astronomers, including an Amatuer Radio Operator, an avid AAVSO contributor, and a Planetarium Director. Since its inception, the Carolina Skygazers Astronomy Club has enjoyed a pleasant association with The Museum of York County, Rock Hill, South Carolina. Monthly meetings in the Settlemyre Planetarium, as well as an annual springtime astronomy convention, "The Gathering At The Equinox", are held at the Museum.

The organization is noted in the Southern United States for its cohesive core membership whose mission is to provide education and outreach to anyone with a burgeoning interest in astronomy. The "Have Telescope, Will Travel" program has allowed many thousands of young people to witness the cosmos through "lightbuckets" anywhere from 4-inch aperture through 30 inches!

Many notable personalities in the field of Astronomy have made the acquantance of the Carolina Skygazers. Clyde Tombaugh, the discoverer of the planet Pluto, visited the group in 1989. John Dobson, inventor of the "Dobsonian" telescope, and one of the founders of the well-known Sidewalk Astronomers of San Fransisco, has been a quest of the Carolina Skygazers and is due back in March, 1996. Jack Horkheimer, of PBS fame, was a featured speaker at The Second Annual Gathering At The Equinox, and found a kindred spirit with many members reflecting his mission of bringing backyard astronomy to the many who are curious about the night sky.

Many Thanks to Barbara Reynolds for the above.