Von Braun Astronomical Society

We Host a Public Planetarium Show Every Saturday in the Wernher von Braun Planetarium that Begins at 7:30 PM

The Moon Really is Like Swiss Cheese: Lunar Lava Tubes, Science and Possibilities - Saturdays, March 2, & 30  at 7:30 PM 

It may not be edible, but the Moon has holes just like Swiss cheese! Fifty years ago, the Apollo missions helped prove that the Moon had a violent volcanic past. Recent studies with spacecraft have proven what was long suspected, the Moon has pits and caves formed by molten lava that flowed billions of years ago. These lunar lava tube caves are similar to those forming on Earth even today. Come and learn about lava tubes, their discovery on the Moon, and how it may be very practical for the first permanent residents on the Moon to become ‘cavemen.’ Presented by Dr. Eric Silkowski, VBAS Treasurer.

The History of VBAS - Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 PM

VBAS played a part in the exciting years leading up to the United States’ manned moon landings. Tonight we’ll look into that history. But history did not stop after Apollo. VBAS has continued to serve the North Alabama community all these years. Gena Crook has chosen the pieces of this long history that she finds most interesting. We hope you’ll find them interesting as well.

Spring Skies - Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 PM 

NASA scientist and veteran VBAS presenter Mitzi Adams will take you on a journey through the stars and constellations of the Spring sky. You will learn about the Gemini Twins, the bright stars of Orion the Hunter and his Nebula, Taurus the Bull, the Pleiades, and others. The Hyades star cluster, a part of the constellation Taurus the Bull, is in the news! We will tell you why. Finally, we will discuss the upcoming equinox and what an equinox (or solstice) meant to our ancestors who farmed.

The Moon - Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 PM 

NASA scientist Dr. Caleb Fassett will take us to the Moon with a presentation about Exploration and Science of the Moon. He will describe our understanding of the Moon's origin and geologic history, and some of the scientific questions about the Moon that remain outstanding.

Dr. Fassett has more than 80 peer-reviewed publications about the Moon, Mars, and Mercury, and is most interested in surface processes on the other rocky planetary bodies in our Solar System. During graduate school, Dr. Fassett discovered and first documented the Jezero crater paleolake and deltas on Mars, which has been chosen to be the landing site for the Mars 2020 rover.

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.