Von Braun Astronomical Society
October 2019 Planetarium Shows
We Host a Public Planetarium Show Every Saturday in the Wernher von Braun Planetarium that Begins at 7:30 PM
The Moon - Saturday, October, 5 at 7:30 PM
Come learn about Earth's own Moon. Frank Schenck, VBAS Director of Facilities and Equipment will discuss the Moon, its make up, phases, craters, and more.
Deep Skies - Saturday, October 12 at 7:30 PM 
Join our Planetarium Director, Jared Cassidy, as he takes us on a journey outside the solar system to explore some of the objects beyond our “neighborhood” that astronomers refer to as Deep Sky Objects. In addition to talking about nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies, we will also look at some basic astronomical distances and hopefully get a grasp of how big space is.
Astronomy Day - Saturday, October 19 at 7:30 PM
Join us on October 19 beginning at 1:00 PM for four FREE planetarium shows in the afternoon and a special presentation at 7:00 PM. Here is the tentative lineup:
- 1:00 The History of Space Flight - Mr. Michael Buford
- 2:00 The Milky Way - Dr. Naveen Vetcha
- 3:00 Meteorites - Mrs. Beth Bero
- 4:00 TBA
7:00 PM The Past, Present, and Future of Astrophysics: Chandra, IXPE, and Lynx
Presented by Dr. Martin C. Weisskopf NASA/MSFC, Chief Scientist for X-ray Astronomy, Project Scientist for the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and Principal Investigator for the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) and Dr. Jessica Gaskin, NASA/MSFC, Research Astrophysicist and Study Scientist for the Lynx Mission, a proposed replacement for the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
For more information regarding Astronomy Day, please click the link in the menu on the left side of the page or click here.
Spooky Skies - Saturday, October 26 at 7:30 PM 
"Asteroids and constellations and meteors, OH MY!"
Part of the fun of Halloween is being scared and this show is all about that! What could be scary about the sky? Come and find out why this season of the year has historically been devoted to death and the dead......We will also look at the many scary things to be found in the sky! Guests under 12 are invited to wear their costumes. Presented by VBAS President, Beth Bero.
Admission for Saturday Planetarium Shows:
Admission is $5 for Adults, $3 for Students, and free for children under 6, as well as VBAS members. All seating is general admission payable at the door. We are unable to offer pre-sale admission. 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.
Astronomy Day 2019
Theme: Bringing Astronomy to the People
Astronomy Day will be Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 1:00-5:00 PM and 7:00-10:00 PM in Monte Sano State Park
ASTRONOMY DAY COMBINES FAMILY FUN AND EDUCATION
On Saturday, October 19 from 1:00-5:00 PM and 7:00-10:00 PM, the Von Braun Astronomical Society will host its annual Astronomy Day at the VBAS facilities in Monte Sano State Park. For directions see this link. Events will include family fun activities hosted by local science groups, planetarium shows and telescope observing (weather permitting). All activities are free and open to the public. For a printable flyer see this link.
Monthly Society Meeting
October Monthly Meeting
There will be NO meeting on Friday, October 18th, as we will be setting up and getting ready for Astronomy Day the next day.
Want to help out on Astronomy Day? Contact our society president, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Night at the Observatory
New Program!
Night At The Observatory
VBAS is pleased to announce a new program that provides guests an opportunity to direct an observing session using the historic Swanson 21” telescope with a modern digital camera. Our Night At The Observatory is a personalized program that allows small groups to experience an evening of observing deep-sky objects of their choice. And the fun doesn’t end when the night is done because at the end of the evening you will take home the images acquired during your observing session. A VBAS certified operator will assist in target acquisition and imaging and can make suggestions for interesting deep-sky objects to discover.
Your Night At The Observatory requires no prior training or experience with telescopes. You will learn some of the fascinating history of the observatory and how to operate the large telescope. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Observatory Director, to book your own Night At The Observatory. Click the link below for details and prices.
Space Journal Archive
During 1957-1959, Rocket City Astronomical Association (now Von Braun Astronomical Society), published an auspicious quarterly magazine, titled Space Journal. Dr. Wernher von Braun, Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger, and other leading aerospace scientists and engineers of the era, contributed articles and essays. Con Pederson, Harry H.K. Lange, and Frederick Ordway III, who were later hired by Stanley Kubrick to help with set design on 2001: A Space Odyssey, contributed art and design work to the magazine. All seven issues of Space Journal, have now been digitized, and are available for viewing and/or download at the following links:
Thanks to Mr. PD Nicaise, Wade Sanders, Frank Schenck, and UAH Special Collections & Archives for contributing to this project.
New Books in the Library
Last Updated on Monday, 01 July 2019 19:52 Written by Administrator
Our Librarians, Jeff Bennett and Amanda Campbell have acquired some new books for the Library. Please click on the Library link in the menu above and check them out.
