Welcome to VBAS!
The Von Braun Astronomical Society is a non-profit organization of amateur and professional astronomers. We are sharing our love of space with the community through our planetarium and observatories located in Monte Sano State Park just east of Huntsville, Alabama.
Latest News
Help VBAS establish an endowment fund
The VBAS Board of Directors approved a fundraising effort to establish an agency fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville. VBAS will be the sole beneficiary of the distributions from this fund, which will provide long term financial stability for the organization. VBAS has to raise $50,000 to start this fund. Thanks to some generous long-time members, we are already 4/5ths of the way there. Help us get this fund established!
- 2024 Telescope Buyer’s Guide Now AvailableChoosing a first telescope for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task. There are many different choices at all sorts of price ranges. Some are good and some are not so good. Let our Telescope Buyer’s Guide help you in your decision.
- Night at the ObservatoryVBAS is pleased to offer a 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… Read more: Night at the Observatory
- Swap Meet – May 17Come to the Swap Meet on Friday, May 17, 2024 Free Pizza & conversation at 7:00 pm. Meeting, including annual Elections, at 7:30 pm. The May Monthly meeting at our planetarium on Monte Sano will feature a chance for you to bring, swap, sell and buy gently used astronomy equipment and books. Contact Joe Kutner… Read more: Swap Meet – May 17
Upcoming Shows
- October 2024 Planetarium Shows
All planetarium shows begin at 7:30pm.
Admission opens at 7:00pm; $5/adult, $3/student, 6 and under free.
Telescope viewing afterwards on clear nights.
October 5th – GHOSTLY PARTICLES: SPACE NEUTRINOS
As the days become shorter and the skies grow darker, we are reminded of the things that go bump in the night. Join us as we take a spooky journey through a universe filled with particles that can never be seen.
Presented by Eric Silkowski
We will unmask ghostly neutrinos from the beginning of time, the heart of the sun, and the skeletons within. We will pass through strange quantum realms where one can be three, and then become one again.
We will learn how neutrinos are like ghostly souls escaping a dying star undergoing supernova, the universe’s biggest bump in the night.
Be warned! Dark energy may abound in this realm, and the ultimate fate of the universe may hang in the balance!
October 12th – GHOSTLY PARTICLES: SPACE NEUTRINOS
As the days become shorter and the skies grow darker, we are reminded of the things that go bump in the night. Join us as we take a spooky journey through a universe filled with particles that can never be seen.
Presented by Eric Silkowski
We will unmask ghostly neutrinos from the beginning of time, the heart of the sun, and the skeletons within. We will pass through strange quantum realms where one can be three, and then become one again.
We will learn how neutrinos are like ghostly souls escaping a dying star undergoing supernova, the universe’s biggest bump in the night.
Be warned! Dark energy may abound in this realm, and the ultimate fate of the universe may hang in the balance!
October 19th – Spooky Skies!
Boo! We will take a curious and kid-friendly look at the darker side of the night sky. We will explore some ancient legends, check out some ghostly nebulas and learn how both ancient and modern people enjoyed scaring themselves with things in the sky! Costumes for ages 12 and under welcome.
Presented by Beth Bero
October 26th – Spooky Skies!
Boo! We will take a curious and kid-friendly look at the darker side of the night sky. We will explore some ancient legends, check out some ghostly nebulas and learn how both ancient and modern people enjoyed scaring themselves with things in the sky! Costumes for ages 12 and under welcome.
Presented by Beth Bero
