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All planetarium shows begin at 7:30pm. Admission opens at 7:00pm. Telescope viewing afterwards on clear nights

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February 4 – The Sun and Solar Cycle 25: Connections Between the Sun and the Solar System

What if you flipped a light switch and there was no light? What if Google Maps stopped working or was inaccurate? This planetarium program will “illuminate” you (pardon the pun) and teach you how the Sun could affect you in ways other than sunburn. Understanding and predicting the rise and fall of sunspots, the solar cycle, is important for modern society and for human exploration of space.

Presented by Mitzi Adams

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February 11 – African American Astronomers

During Black History Month VBAS will be celebrating the accomplishments of three African American
Astronomers. Two brilliant scientists from the recent past and one currently doing state-of-the-art research.
This is an educational program designed for students and people of all ages.

Presented by Gena Crook

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February 18 – Huntsville’s Place in Space

As we prepare to go back to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years, the importance that Huntsville
played both back then and right now is something to remember. Join Michael Buford for a look through the
history of Huntsville’s amazing contributions in aviation, its massive importance during the Space Race, as
well as Huntsville’s place in space now and in the future!

Presented by Michael Buford

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February 25 – African American Astronomers

During Black History Month VBAS will be celebrating the accomplishments of three African American
Astronomers. Two brilliant scientists from the recent past and one currently doing state-of-the-art research.
This is an educational program designed for students and people of all ages.

Presented by Gena Crook

Members of VBAS and Starry Skies South put together an article detailing Huntsville’s recent roll out of LED illumination. Read it here!

Star of Wonder

December 3rd, 10th at 7:30pm

On the evenings of December 3^rd and December 10^th VBAS will be hosting its special “Star of Wonder” planetarium show.  This show is unique in that VBAS volunteers dress up as the 3 Wisemen and present the Christmas Story from a first century perspective.  Be prepared to enter the world of 1^st century Judea as the planetarium is filled with incense and songs of the season.  The Wisemen’s story will include reading excerpts from the Bible of the Christmas Story and a scientific analysis of the potential causes of the star that guided them to Bethlehem.  Of course, in the bags they carry the Wisemen will have treats for children in attendance.  Be sure to arrive early as this show typically fills up quickly.  We will have telescope viewing from our observing field following the show weather permitting.

Presented by Donald Reed, Jared Cassidy, and Tom Burleson

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Star of Wonder

December 17th at 7:30pm

What exactly was the star that the Wisemen saw? Was it a star that stood in the sky two-thousand years ago and marked a single location in Bethlehem? Each year at this special time, VBAS turns back the hands of time to look into the sky of long ago and search for this mysterious object. As we ponder the skies of Bethlehem, we’ll explore several possibilities including comets, meteors, novae and other phenomena as well as examine the origins of some of the Christmas traditions we celebrate today.

Presented by Beth Bero

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CLOSED for Winter Break

December 24th, 31st

Please join us at 7:30pm on November 18th for our monthly members meeting at VBAS!

Radio Astronomy from the Moon: A discussion on the science from upcoming CLPS missions to the lunar surface with low frequency radioastronomy instruments

We’re welcoming guest speaker Dr. Heidi Haviland, a planetary scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

Heidi’s scientific research focuses on understanding planetary interiors using electromagnetic geophysical methods, neutron measurements, seismic normal modes, and the space plasma environment of airless bodies such as the Moon. She is the project scientist of the Neutron Measurements at the Lunar Surface (NMLS) instrument that will fly on Astrobotic’s Peregrine Mission one, and a science team member on the InSight mission. Heidi also leads an interdisciplinary research group focused on understanding the chemistry of the Moon through thermoelastic and petrological modeling. Heidi is the Project Scientist for the CLPS PRISM1a (CP-11) delivery which will investigate the Reiner Gamma surface swirl.

Radio Observatories

November 5th, 12th at 7:30pm

We’ll be taking a look at radio telescopes of the past, present, and future. Radio telescopes have some very interesting designs and have made some extremely important discoveries. Radio Astronomy is even in VBAS’ near future. They’ll be opportunities for you to participate if you are interested.

Presented by Gena

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Stars Fell on Alabama

November 19th at 7:30pm

The Leonid meteor shower occurs every year in mid-November. This year the peak will happen in the early morning of November 18th. Ms. Beth Bero will teach you how best to enjoy the meteors and where the meteors come from. This program is certain to be educational for the whole family.

Presented by Beth Bero

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CLOSED for Thanksgiving!

November 26th

Retrogrades, Oppositions and Conjunctions

Saturday, October 8, 7:30pm

Mercury must be retrograde. Mars is at opposition. There’s a conjunction of Jupiter and the Moon.

Phrases like these are often found in popular media and are used by astronomers to describe the relative positions of things in the sky. But what do those terms mean? We can use our star projector to help us see how the view from Earth is a little more complex than the view from space.

Presented by Alex Hall.

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The Golden Record

Saturday, October 15, 7:30pm

We will be discussing the Voyager mission, and reviewing the contents and inscriptions on the Golden Record.

Presented by Maggie Stevens

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Astronomy Day!

October 22nd

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Spooky Skies

Saturday, October 29, 7:30pm

What was that light in the sky? Was it dangerous? A portent of evil? Come celebrate dark and spooky events in the sky with amateur astronomer Beth Bero at the planetarium. This program is NOT scary, so it is safe to bring the younger members of the family.

Presented by Beth Bero.

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Fall Skies

Saturdays, September 3 & 17, 7:30pm

Autumn is a wonderful time to relax under the night sky. Ms. Delisa Collette will inspire you to do just that. Constellations and other beautiful objects are awaiting your discovery. As an added bonus, Saturn will be an awesome spectacle in our society telescopes after the show on clear nights.

All About Stars

Saturday, September 10, 7:30pm

Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are? In this presentation, we’ll take a look at stars – big ones, small ones, explosive ones, sputtering ones, brand new ones, ancient ones, and ones that are long dead.

Presented by Alexandra Hall

The Planetarium: A Magic Carpet

Saturday, September 24, 7:30pm

We can use the star projector in the planetarium to pretend to fly anywhere on Earth – like a magic carpet! Gena Crook will demonstrate the motion of the stars across the sky at the equator, the north pole, and the southern hemisphere. We will also watch how the sun changes positions at these locations. You may be surprised if you haven’t actually been to the equator or the north pole in person! This program will put the star projector to work and allow us to see its unique educational capabilities.

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Class is full for 2022!

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Instructor: Jeff Delmas, VBAS Observatory Director

Who Should Attend: The course is targeted to beginning observers, adults and teens, or those interested in a refresher course in basics observational astronomy.

Course Description

Learn the wonders of the night sky in a practical setting that involves both lecture and observing using your own telescope or binoculars. Whether you’ve purchased a telescope and want help learning your way around the night sky, are thinking about getting a telescope and want to learn about available equipment and techniques, or just want to learn, this class will help you in your quest. At the end of each lecture, students are provided a list of skill and season-appropriate targets to observe in the field and over the following week.

Updated for 2022! This year’s course has been modified to have more time in the observing field and less in lecture.  In addition, we’ll start directly with learning the night sky, and telescope designs before later covering history and theory.

Tuesdays, 9/27/22 through 11/15/22, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Eight sessions in total:

• Session 1: Navigating the Sky and Telescope Designs
• Session 2: Observing Progression
• Session 3: Charles Messier and His Catalog
• Session 4: References, Programs, and Apps to Guide Observing
• Session 5: Astronomy History & Basic Concepts
• Session 6: Modern Astrophotography
• Session 7: Radio Astronomy
• Session 8: Cosmology

Price: $25 members, $30 nonmembers

Each student must provide an email address so the instructor can provide course materials.