News and Updates
The much talked about Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) came closest to Earth on February 1st and is still very close for the next few days, though it will become harder to see as the moon gets fuller. Speaking of the Moon, it is full early this month on February 5th and the new moon is [...]
Introduction What is Omega Centauri? It is a globular cluster located in the southern constellation Centaurus. It is the brightest globular , but not easy to see in Virginia due to its low elevation. With proper timing Omega can be viewed given good transparency. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Centauri Observation This morning the skies were finally clear again. It was [...]
Happy New Year! January promises more early sunsets and long, dark nights and with the holidays being over, perhaps slightly less light pollution (not something Scrooge was concerned about, except perhaps the cost of candles)! Being the coldest month of the year, we can also perhaps look forward to great viewing conditions with low moisture [...]
Join NOVAC and notable amateur Phil Harrington for a talk on upcoming solar eclipses including what to expect for the next Great American Eclipse in 2024!  It’s never too early to plan, so join us virtually or in person at George Mason University Read more […]
Again this month, the main feature of the night sky are the planets with Mars appearing large in opposition on the 8th and visible all night throughout the month. In fact all five planets visible to the naked eye can be seen. Jupiter remains bright and Saturn is still visible, though is setting ever earlier. [...]
We have the incredible honor of welcoming Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell who will speak to us virtually from England on 12/11/22.  Jocelyn Bell Burnell discovered the first radio pulsar in 1967 and has continued a string of incredible accomplishments Read more […]
For November, Jupiter and Saturn continue to impress in our skies, but the big news for this month is Mars getting ever closer and ever brighter as it approaches opposition at the beginning of December. Don't forget the clocks go back an hour on Sunday, November 6 at 2 am which is great for us [...]
