The Ventura County Astronomical Society will hold its monthly membership meeting at 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 18, 2008, in the multipurpose room at Mesa Union School, 3901 N. Mesa School Road, Somis.

Amateur astronomer John Dobson will speak and answer questions about optics, cosmology, the Big Bang theory and modern astronomy. Dobson's message is, "The riches of the heavens are there for the taking by anyone with a few simple materials."

For more information, call (805) 520-9666. The society's website is www.vcas.org.