NOVAC Public Meeting Join NOVAC Astronomers for “StarFront Observatory: A New Journey for an Urban Astronomer” at GMU or Online January 11, 2026

StarFront Observatory: A New Journey for an Urban Astronomer

NOVAC member Robert Capon will present his experiences setting up a remote telescope at the StarFront Observatory in Texas. Rob will take us through the process from design considerations and transportation of the equipment, to setting it up and getting everything operational. If you’re thinking about setting up a remote telescope, you won’t want to miss this discussion.

All NOVAC members, guests, and the public are welcome to attend—no RSVP required.  You can attend the meeting virtually via Google Meet. Sign on  at 4 pm to connect with fellow astronomers. The meeting starts at 4:30 with club information and general announcements. Program speaker starts at 5:00 pm.

Rob Capon will be presenting in person from George Mason. Join your NOVAC colleagues at GMU, 4:00 pm, to socialize before the meeting or sign on using Google Meet to virtually socialize with remote attendees.

Meet at George Mason University, Exploratory Hall, Room 3301. Check the GMU web site for nearby parking options. Some lots or garages do charge for parking.

GMU Maps and Directions link:  https://info.gmu.edu/campus-maps-and-directions/

Join Virtually

Google Meet:
meet.google.com/cbf-jusw-dsm

Dial-in: +1 252-344-1407 PIN: 937 923 741

Meeting Schedule

  • 4:00 PM – Online and GMU meeting opens for participant discussion
  • 4:30 PM – NOVAC news, announcements, and upcoming events
  • 5:00 – 6:00 PM – Presentation
  • 6:30 – 7:00 PM – Dinner at Oh George, 10681 Braddock Rd, Fairfax VA

    Join Virtually

    Google Meet:
    meet.google.com/cbf-jusw-dsm

    Dial-in: +1 252-344-1407 PIN: 937 923 741

Talk Title:

StarFront Observatory:A New Journey for an Urban Astronomer

Biography:

NOVAC member Robert Capon grew up in Bethesda and is a retired entrepreneur and business executive. He has observed the night sky for 50 years. Rob’s astronomy career started when he was sixteen years old and read an article in Scientific American on building a telescope. He bought a mirror making kit from Edmund Scientific and took a mirror making class at American University. The mount for his six-inch Newtonian was made of plumbing pipes and the tube was a repurposed form for pouring concrete.
 
Since then, Rob has owned many telescopes, culminating in building a fully robotic observatory in Charlottesville, Virginia. That observatory was the subject of an article “Robotic Astronomy” in the May 2015 issue of Sky and Telescope.
 
In 2017, Rob and his wife of 40 years moved back to Northern Virginia to be near their children and grandchildren. Rob likes to say he “traded a robotic observatory for three grandchildren–a very good deal.” Since moving to the DMV he observes from his south-facing balcony in Bortle-9 Rosslyn, and at dark sites around the region with NOVAC.
 
Most recently, Rob set up a remote deep-sky imaging rig at the StarFront Observatory in Texas, the subject of today’s NOVAC talk.
 
Rob’s fifth Sky and Telescope article, “Urban Astrophotography,” will appear in the March 2026 edition.
 
Visit Rob’s Astrobin site at https://is.gd/RobWashDC
 

 *** This program will be recorded and available a few days after the meeting on the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club YouTube channel***

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