Grow In and Share
Your Love of the
Night Sky
A community of amateur astronomers in Northern Virginia,
Maryland, and the greater metro D.C. area
The universe is BIG.
Where do you get started?
You have a new telescope, but you can’t get it to do what you want it to do. You can’t find a safe place to see the comet that will only be here once in your lifetime. You want to explore more of the universe and the night sky, but the learning curve is just too steep.
We can help.
Master the Basics
Learn about the stars, planets and constellations, and how to observe them.
Borrow from the Lending Library
Try out a variety of telescopes or binoculars and books before buying your own.
Get a Mentor
Get matched with a volunteer with your same telescope or area of interest.
Three steps for growing in and sharing your
love of the night sky.
Step 1: Go to an outreach event or meeting.
All of our events and meetings are free and open to the public. All are welcome.
Step 2: Join NOVAC.
Access our loaner program, library, dark sites, and mentors. Connect with a community of backyard astronomers in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. metro region.
Step 3: Share in the awe and wonder of the night sky.
This love of the night sky has connected humankind for millennia, and it connects all of us at NOVAC.
A community of backyard astronomers, just like you.
We understand how hard it can be for beginners. We’ve struggled to find the right equipment and a safe, dark place for stargazing. We’ve wanted to share our growing interest in the stars, planets, galaxies, astrophotography and the universe with other people.
That’s why we welcome all newcomers and seek to nurture their love of astronomy. We’re a club for people of all ages, races, education levels, and experience levels. We draw from Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Fauquier counties in Virginia, Maryland, D.C., and beyond. We’re connected by our fascination with the night sky.
For more than 40 years, NOVAC has provided novice astronomers with mentoring, education, a lending library, training, access to safe spaces for viewing, and a supportive community.
Please join us.
Stop struggling with
the basics.
Stop struggling to grasp the basics of astronomy and your stargazing equipment.
NOVAC members have access to:
- Loaner program
- Library
- Mentor program
- National astronomy groups
- The Astronomical League
- Dark sky sites
- Events
- Meetings
- A supportive community
Attend a NOVAC event and grow in your love of the night sky.
You must be logged in to post a comment.