The Von Braun Astronomical Society is offering a beginner level class
in astrophotography (AP 101). This course is designed for individuals
with little knowledge of astronomy. It is planned for 3 sessions as
outlined below. Cost is $25 for VBAS members and $30 for
nonmembers.

Session 1: Introduction to the night sky and equipment overview

Session 2: A detailed look at planning an imaging session and
equipment configuration

Session 3: Data acquisition and introduction to data processing

Students must provide an email address when registering so the
instructor can provide course materials. Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings at the VBAS Planetarium in Monte Sano State Park. Classes will begin on April 29th at 7pm and last for 2 hours with a 15-minute break. Our instructor is VBAS astrophotographer Don Reed.

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 observatory@vbas.org to book your own Night At The Observatory. See the file below for details and prices.

When: April 8th at 12:00pm, noon.
Where: VBAS. Our observing field is just outside of the facility.
Why: VBAS will have safe solar viewing equipment set up in the field for the public.

Remember: do not look directly at the sun, even during a partial eclipse! Sunglasses alone will not protect your eyes!

Staying in Huntsville during the April 8th solar eclipse? Join us at the VBAS observing field to safely observe the partial solar eclipse! At VBAS’s location the eclipse will begin shortly after noon, and reach peak occlusion at 2:00pm. The eclipse will reach roughly 90%, but not totality.

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 or VBAS telescopes 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 2023! This year’s course has 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, 9/19/23 through 11/7/23, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Eight sessions in total

Price: $25 members, $30 nonmembers

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

This event has concluded. Thanks to all who attended!

Bring your telescope and join us Friday after dark on April 14th for our 2023 “Messier Marathon” Star Party in the VBAS observing field in the Monte Sano State Park. The gate opens at 6:30pm, sundown is 7:18pm. The observing starts as soon as it’s dark and goes until the last telescope is standing! Seasoned observers will be on-hand to assist newer observers in setting up and using their telescopes.  The term “Messier Marathon” is used to describe an effort to observe all 110 deep sky Messier objects in one night.  This is possible during several times of the year, but all 110 objects are most accessible to viewers in the Spring months of March and April during or near new Moons.

But this is not a contest! The real goal is to hone your observing skills, log as many Messier objects you can, and enjoy the company of other like-minded amateur astronomers. It’s a great opportunity for newer observers to learn more about the night sky and to learn observing techniques from more experienced members. 

Saturday, April 15th is the rain date for the marathon.

Each Fall, we update our Telescope Buyer’s Guide to help primarily first-time buyers seeking a telescope during the Holiday Season.  Here’s our 2022 update:

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 observing field after class and over the coming week.

Due to the pandemic, each student will be encouraged to observe with their own equipment, which can be a telescope, binoculars, or just your eyes.  No prior experience necessary.

Instructor

Jeff Delmas, VBAS Observatory Director

Jeff Delmas holds degrees in mathematics and Civil Engineering. He moved to Huntsville in 1980 to work as a structural engineer on SpaceLab missions before joining Intergraph and spending the rest of his career in software development. Jeff is a lifelong amateur astronomer who got his first telescope at the age of 11 on the Christmas morning following the Apollo 8 orbit of the Moon. In the 1980’s he designed and constructed his own 10” telescope. Jeff’s emphasis in the class is to train budding amateur astronomers in the practical skills of navigating the skies and observing using small telescopes. Jeff joined VBAS in 1998 and has served as President as well as other board positions over the years. He is the current Director of Observatories at VBAS and regularly teaches math, computer science, and astronomy at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UAH.

Who Should Attend

The course is targeted to beginning observers, adults and teens, or those interested in a refresher course on basics.

Enrollment

• Mondays from 9/27/21 through 11/15/21 at the VBAS Planetarium
• Eight sessions in total
• Price: $25 members, $30 nonmembers

Enrollment URL:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/N8EWSXXNBNPJ5/checkout/JIF7S7BWE6VX5LCOMWHZFKVM

Contact: jeff@delmasfamily.net

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 Jeff Delmas, Observatory Director, to book your own Night At The Observatory. See the file below for details and prices.