VBASThis six week course is targeted to beginning observers, adults and teens, or those interested in a refresher course in basic observational astronomy. 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. Tuesdays at 7:00-8:30 pm, Oct 8 – Nov 12.
VBAS 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 doesn’t end when the night is done because at the end of the evening you will take home the images acquired during your observing session. A VBAS certified operator will assist in target acquisition and imaging and can make suggestions for interesting deep-sky objects to discover.
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.
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.
On a clear night in August, away from the city lights, a hazy band stretches across the sky. In this presentation, we’ll explore the Milky Way with our eyes, binoculars and a small telescope and discover what we know about our home galaxy.
Presented by Alex Hall
A presentation about our natural satellite, the Moon, and how it is unusually large for a small planet like Earth, and how its origin may have been much different from the ~300 other known moons in our solar system. There will also be a discussion of all the various interesting features on the Moon, including impact craters, lava flows, mountains, and volcanic domes, that are even visible even in a small telescope.
Presented by Frank Schenck
What is the biggest object you have ever seen? Is it a building, a geologic structure? Or maybe you have looked into the night sky and marveled at how big it is! Join VBAS as we consider the true scale of the universe with some mind-bending questions such as: “how big is time”?
Presented by Don Reed
What is the biggest object you have ever seen? Is it a building, a geologic structure? Or maybe you have looked into the night sky and marveled at how big it is! Join VBAS as we consider the true scale of the universe with some mind-bending questions such as: “how big is time”?
Presented by Don Reed
To our ancestors, they were the wandering stars that moved mysteriously among the fixed stars. Today our space probes send back close ups of these distant worlds. Come and learn how our quest to discover what these wanderers actually are helped reveal the truth about our place in space.
Presented by Alex Hall
September 28th, 1-5; 7:30 – 9 pm
Von Braun Astronomical Society will celebrate Astronomy Day on September 28th in person at Monte Sano State Park! Daytime events (between 1 – 5 pm) will include: mini-planetarium shows, Telescope tours, and Meteor radar demos. Evening events (between 7:30 – 9 pm) will include a keynote speech followed by a planetarium show.
Astronomy Day is FREE and open to the public!
Rob Landis is currently assigned as a program executive to NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO). The office was established to manage the Agency’s planetary defense-related projects and coordinate activities across multiple U.S. agencies (along with international efforts) to plan appropriate responses to the potential asteroid impact hazard. Since its original inception as the Near-Earth Object (NEO) Observations Program in 1998, PDCO efforts have discovered more than 98% of the nearly 30,000 NEOs currently known.
Landis has an eclectic set of science and mission operations leadership and hands-on experience ranging from space-based observatories (Hubble Space Telescope, Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer); deep space missions (Cassini-Huygensand the Mars Exploration Rovers [MER]); planetary surface operations (MER – Spirit and Opportunity); International Space Station (ISS) operations; and many others, including most recently, the project manager for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). In addition to the myriad of PDCO duties, on NASA’s behalf he also provides essential support to the U.S. Space Force (USSF) and the U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM).
Rob has a Bachelor of Science degree in astrophysics from Michigan State University, and a Master of Science degree in space studies from the University of North Dakota. He also is a licensed private pilot for single engine aircraft.
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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.
Traveling across the summer sky can be just as much fun as a summer trip! Join retired educator Beth Bero in this family-friendly adventure in the night sky. We will explore summer constellations, legends, motions of the night sky and current sky events.
Presented by Beth Bero
Launched in December 2021, James Webb Space Telescope has revealed many unprecedented details of the universe during its initial two years of operation. Webb’s first images were released on July 12, 2022. Join us in a journey through space and time as we celebrate the anniversary of the first images. We will look at some of the recent images taken by JWST and learn what new things these images teach us about the cosmos.
Presented by Naveen Vetcha
Why does everyone want to go to the moon’s south pole? What’s wrong with the moon’s equator or mid latitudes? Is it cold at the lunar pole? Will there be polar bears? Lunarians? Will they bring penguins for company? Isn’t it more difficult to get to the lunar pole than equator? And what’s wrong with the moon’s north pole? Are the people making these decisions lunatics? Why do scientists ask so many questions?
Presented by Eric Silkowski
Don’t you want to come to the show and find out?
What are we watching in the night sky this summer? I’m sure you have seen the Big Dipper and Orion, but have you successfully identified any other star patterns? We can help. We’ll be in the planetarium at 7:30 with a cool star projector and a dome shaped ceiling ready to point out summer constellations, tell stories, and just generally have fun looking at tiny points of light. Doors open at 7:00.
Presented by Gena Crook
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.
The concept of a planetarium was started exactly one hundred years ago! We will explore a short history of planetariums through history and make predictions about the planetarium of the future.
Presented by Tom Burleson
One of the questions which humans have been asking for centuries is, “Are we alone in the universe?” This Saturday we will explore the types of life we might expect to find on other bodies in our solar system. During our presentation you might also learn some surprising facts about creatures here on Earth that are new to you! I hope you will join us.
Presented by Gena Crook
Why does everyone want to go to the moon’s south pole?
Presented by Erik Silkowski
What’s wrong with the moon’s equator or mid latitudes?
Is it cold at the lunar pole?
Will there be polar bears? Lunarians?
Will they bring penguins for company?
Isn’t it more difficult to get to the lunar pole than equator?
And what’s wrong with the moon’s north pole?
Are the people making these decisions lunatics?
Why do scientists ask so many questions?
Don’t you want to come to the show and find out?
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 VBAS President Michael Buford for a
Presented by Michael Buford
look through the history of Huntsville’s amazing contributions in aviation, its massive importance during the
Space Race, and Huntsville’s place in space now and in the future!
Come 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 if you have any questions at vicepresident@vbas.org
Each Third Friday of the Month meeting starts with FREE pizza at 7:00, followed by the meeting at 7:30. In May we will have our annual board elections as well as the swap meet. Hope to see you there!
VBAS volunteers will be at the GigaParts Technology Superstore, 6123 University Dr, Huntsville on Saturday May 18 to provide advice and outreach from 9:30am on International Astronomy Day!
Telescope Clinic 10:00am -1:00pm.
Bring that telescope you just can’t get to work, or think you might have broken and we’ll take a look!
Eclipse Show and Tell 4:00pm-6:00pm. Sign up to share your images and stories – even if you got clouded out!
Presentations to attend from Choosing your First Telescope to Stargazing with Binoculars and Getting Started in Astrophotography!
Learn about Light Pollution and what you can do about it with volunteers from Starry Skies South.
GigaParts has a large range of telescopes, binoculars, eyepieces, books and more to browse as well as plenty of other fun technology. And a snack bar!
Everyone welcome. Bring your friends to introduce them to your favorite hobby! See you there.
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.
On Star Wars Day (May the Fourth be with you!), let’s explore some of the real destinations in our universe that resemble key locations in the Star Wars films. Light Sabers allowed, attendance in costume
Presented by Alex Hall
encouraged!
The concept of a planetarium was started exactly one hundred years ago! We will explore a short history of planetariums through history and make predictions about the planetarium of the future.
Presented by Tom Burleson
George Lucas gave us the fictional Death Star, but did you know the universe is full of real death stars? Neutron Stars, remnants of supernovas, are the real thing. They can produce beams of energy sweeping through space that can sterilize an entire planet. When first discovered as pulsars they were even thought to be aliens! Join us as we explore these extreme stars where ordinary matter is crushed into a very unappetizing dish called “Nuclear Pasta.”
Presented by Eric Silkowski
One hundred years ago this year, Edwin Hubble discovered distant galaxies outside our Milky Way.
Thirty-four years ago, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched to begin a spectacular job informing us about the cosmos, including distant galaxies.
Presented by Beth Bero
Our traditional Spring star party, often called a Messier Marathon, is this Friday 4/12. Gates will open at 6:00pm, sunset is at 7:17pm. Bring your scope to set up in the field. If you don’t have a scope, please come up to take a look through one of the society’s or other members’ scopes. We’ll keep the observing field open as long as you want to stay in the effort to pursue your observing goals. Save the date and make your plans now to join us on the evening of April 12th for a night of observing!