Von Braun Astronomical Society
October 2017 Planetarium Shows
We Host a Public Planetarium Show Every Saturday in the Wernher von Braun Planetarium that Begins at 7:30 PM
James Webb Space Telescope- Saturday, October 7 at 7:30 PM
Astronomers have been using the Hubble Space Telescope for more than 27 years to study the universe. Hubble has in so many ways completely revolutionized our understanding of the universe. As amazing as Hubble has been, due to the vastness of the universe it can't in fact see everything. To carry us forward we need a better telescope, one which can see deeper into the universe and this is exactly what NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is designed to do. JWST, which scheduled for launch in 2019 will probe the universe to discover the first galaxies and stars formed after the Big Bang. JWST will also be used to study the formation of stars and planets, and to study the exoplanets. Come learn about this extraordinary telescope that will take humanity few more steps closer to understanding the universe. Presented by Dr. Naveen Vetcha, VBAS Outreach Coordinator and Past President.
Fall Skies - Saturday, October 14 at 7:30 PM
The skies of Fall bring us the timeless stories of love, betrayal and adventure. Join veteran VBAS educator, Beth Bero, for a look at the constellations and legends---and the deep sky objects, meteor showers and other sky events--- available to us at this time of year.
Astronomy Day - Saturday, October 21 starting at 1:00 PM
We will have a host of Astronomy Day activities, including mini-planetarium shows in the afternoon with a keynote speaker at 6:00 PM & 7:30 PM. Please see the Astronomy Day link on the left side of the page for more information.
Spooky Skies - Saturday, October 14 at 7:30 PM
Boo! What can you see in the dark? Learn about the spookier side of night and the legends and traditions that grew up around this time of year. Join VBAS for this family friendly annual event. Children may wear costumes and candy will be available! Presented by veteran VBAS educator, Beth Bero.
If you have your own telescope, feel free to set it up after the show. If you need some assistance with setting up or operation your telescope, our ever helpful observing crew will try to help you so that you can better enjoy the night sky.
Admission for Saturday Planetarium Shows:
Admission is $5 for Adults, $3 for Students, and free for children under 6, as well as VBAS members. Weather permitting, you will have the opportunity to look at some of the wonders of the universe through our telescopes following the planetarium program with the help of our experienced and knowledgeable observing crew.
For information about our Planetarium shows, as well as special group scheduling, and pricing, please contact our Planetarium Director, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or our Director of Education and Programs, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The skies of Fall bring us the timeless stories of love, betrayal and adventure. Join Beth Bero for a look at the constellations and legends---and the deep sky objects, meteor showers and other sky events--- available to us at this time of year.
Monthly Society Meeting
The next VBAS Monthly Meeting is Friday, October 20 at 5:00 PM.
I'm excited about this year's Astronomy Day observance! We have an exciting lineup of speaker with our first speaker at 1pm. We'll have a food truck on site for lunch and dinner meals, exhibits, planetarium shows, Astronomy Day T Shirts and much more. Be sure to check out the Astronomy Day link on our web page.
In lieu of our normal monthly meeting we're asking everyone to help set up on Friday 20 Oct at 5pm. This shouldn't take long and we'll have refreshments once everything is in place. See you on the 20th!
Vice-President
A Brief VBAS History
Written by Al Reisz Sunday, 07 November 2010 20:45
In 1954 Huntsville High School student Sam Pruitt wrote a letter asking Dr. von Braun, then at Redstone Arsenal, to build an observatory for school children interested in astronomy. Von Braun didn’t hesitate in organizing his colleagues, students and others in the community to build our observatory on Monte Sano. Von Braun was our society’s first president [then known as the Rocket City Astronomical Association (RCAA)]. After his death we re-named our society in his honor. VBAS is an astronomical society for amateur and professional astronomers. VBAS is a special astronomical society in that our origins began with the citizens who fervently believed in space exploration before it began. In the early 1960s NASA scientists used the telescopes at VBAS to help select lunar landing sites for the Apollo program. VBAS history is storied with space exploration pioneers such as Oberth, von Braun, Stuhlinger, Swanson and Angele. Many of our members were involved in developing the Saturn V, the rocket that sent the Apollo astronauts to walk on and explore the Moon. Our planetarium has a shield of the Saturn V third stage fuel tank top half serving as our projection dome. VBAS is a society that provides the public with opportunities for telescopic viewing of the night sky. We have astronomy programs, star parties and astronomy related special events. Still true to our beginnings we continue to give presentations in astronomy and star tours to student and other groups. We welcome those of you with interests in exploring the stars to join us.
26 June 57 The Rocket City Astronomical Association (now the Von Braun Astronomical Society) put out the first edition of the locally edited Space Journal, a new magazine dealing with space travel and the astrosciences. The first issue was dedicated to Dr. Hermann Oberth, who is known as the "father of astronautics." Left to right: Dr. Hermann Oberth, Dr. Wernher von Braun, RCAA (VBAS) President, and Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger.
VBAS is the second observatory that Wernher von Braun was instrumental in building. As a student at the Lietz boys high school that he attended in Berlin, at the school’s North Sea campus on the island Spiekeroog, he influenced the school to buy a telescope and build a small observatory in 1927. He selected a reflector with a 95-mm objective lens.
Al Reisz,
Past-President
