Astronomy Day 2023 is September 23!
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.
Upcoming Shows
- September 2023 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
September 2 – Alabama Time Machine
Join us on a whirlwind journey through time to explore the ancient origins of Monte Sano and the astronomical wonders witnessed along the way. As we dive back through 350 million years of deep time, we will stop to explore fascinating geological upheavals and mind-boggling space catastrophes. Come prepared for an amazing adventure with fossils, meteorites, and old-fashioned scientific detective work!
Presented by Eric Silkowski
September 9 – Fall Skies
Come and explore the constellations and celestial wonders in the Fall Night Skies!
Presented by Beth Bero
September 16 – Hairy Stars
To our forebears, comets were the oddest things. They didn’t look like the stars, they didn’t wander like the planets, and they were often seen following or preceding the Sun in the evening or morning sky. It’s no wonder that they were often associated with doom and change! The word ‘comet’ comes from an ancient Greek word meaning ‘long haired’ and in this presentation, we’ll look at what we know about these hairy stars from observations and space probes and how comets could be the key to exploring our galaxy!
Presented by Alexandra Hall
September 23 – Astronomy Day!
Astronomy Day 2023 is September 23!
September 30 – “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” – Asteroids, some of the other “Stuff” of the Solar System
We’ve all heard the expression “don’t sweat the small stuff.” But with the asteroids – some of the ‘small stuff’ of the solar system – it’s actually a good idea to spend some time thinking about them. While there are only eight planets, there are millions of asteroids. Small asteroids buzz planet Earth frequently, and some even fall as meteorites! Asteroids have been found to contain pristine material from the birth of the Solar System 4.6 billion years ago. Some asteroids are thought to contain unimaginable riches in precious metals. Recent space missions have looked at asteroids up close, and some have even snatched samples for return to Earth. This show will introduce you to asteroids and explain why scientists do “sweat the small stuff.”
Presented by Eric Silkowski
