Nov
6
Sat
2021
Cancelled- C.M. Crockett Public Night @ C.M. Crockett Park
Nov 6 @ 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Cancelled- C.M. Crockett Public Night @ C.M. Crockett Park | Midland | Virginia | United States

Event cancelled due to predicted overcast conditions.

RSVP here.

Members of the public are invited to view the wonders of the universe through the telescopes of NOVAC volunteers. You do not need to be a member of the club or own any astronomical equipment to attend.

Featured objects will include Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and deep sky objects like star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.

Arrive up to an hour before the event if you want to inspect different telescopes and other visual equipment on the field as they’re being set up. Have a cosmic question? One of our astronomers will be happy to help you. After sunset be prepared to enjoy the wonders of the night sky!

Feel free to walk around and enjoy the different telescopes on display but please ask the owner before using. Please monitor your children if they’re around expensive astronomical equipment. Remember, telescope mirrors are sensitive to cigarette smoke and bug spray. Pets should not be brought onto the observing field as well (unless they are service animals).

Don’t forget to dress warmly! Please check the weather forecast. For lighting, cover a flashlight in red cellophane (the darker the better). Bring along water to keep hydrated and plan on staying the entire evening or as long as the weather allows. If you’re arriving after dark, please dim your vehicle’s headlights as you approach the gravel parking lot.

Note: This outdoor event is weather-dependent and may be cancelled because of significant cloud cover or precipitation.

Please read the C.M. Crockett Page for park details.

 

Sky Meadows State Park- Astronomy for Everyone @ Sky Meadows State Park
Nov 6 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sky Meadows State Park- Astronomy for Everyone @ Sky Meadows State Park

RSVP here.

NOVAC supports this event by providing telescope views to visitors.

  • Sky Meadows State Park (11012 Edmonds Ln.), behind the Mount Bleak House within the white fence.
  • For individuals who are fully vaccinated face coverings and social distancing are no longer required but recommended. Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated will be asked to continue face covering and social distancing procedures.
  • The event’s programs will take place rain or shine.

Please visit the official website for more details.

Nov
13
Sat
2021
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Udvar-Hazy Center Star Party @ Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Udvar-Hazy Center
Nov 13 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  • Event Website
  • Date(s):  Saturday, November 13; 5pm to 8pm
  • Location:  Chantilly, VA- NASM Udvar-Hazy Center (14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy.)
  • Pandemic Precautions:

    • For individuals who are fully vaccinated, face coverings and social distancing are optional outdoors. Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated should continue face covering and social distancing procedures.
    • More information here.
Nov
14
Sun
2021
November 14 – Public Monthly Meeting – Come Fly Away to the Sun @ Online via Google Meet
Nov 14 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
November 14 - Public Monthly Meeting - Come Fly Away to the Sun @ Online via Google Meet

Come Fly Away to the Sun

Dr. Kelly Korreck

Sunday, November 14, 2021

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM EST

Online event

meet.google.com/osh-bcyd-gti

Monthly Meeting – Public Invited

Abstract:

What is faster than a speeding bullet? What can fly through turbulence without fastening its seat belt? What can tell us about the origin of our solar system at same time performing its main mission to understand our closest star? NASA’s Parker Solar Probe! 

The Parker Solar Probe (PSP) spacecraft was designed to aid in solving 3 mysteries of the Sun as well as the very practical goal of furthering the understanding of space weather. Space weather ranges from billions of tons of material hurled at Earth as Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and solar flares that accelerate energetic particles that could damage electrical power grids on the Earth as well as harm astronauts in space. Parker has made measurements of a stealth or Streamer Blow Out Coronal Mass Ejections (SBO-CMEs) which create space weather. Learning to recognize and characterize these early CMEs help to understand their evolution through the solar system.  In addition to studies of the Sun and solar wind, the mission has been able to study Venus, dust, and even capture photos of a comet! Come learn about the coolest hottest mission to the Sun!

Bio:

Astrophysicist Kelly Korreck knows how to handle the heat. She builds and operates instruments to study the Sun and understand its hot explosive outer atmosphere or corona. Her career has taken her from the desert of New Mexico to Japan, to the innermost part of the solar system. Kelly headed up science operations and project management for the SWEAP Suite aboard Parker Solar Probe. She works with engineers and scientists to create the best data from this once-in-a-lifetime mission. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astronomy and a Ph.D. in Space Physics both from the University of Michigan. When not studying the sun, she can be found near the beach, running, dancing, or in the yoga studio.

 

Nov
27
Sat
2021
Cancelled- Great Meadow Public Night @ Great Meadow
Nov 27 @ 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Widewater State Park Stargazing Event @ Widewater State Park
Nov 27 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Widewater State Park Stargazing Event @ Widewater State Park

RSVP Here.

Widewater State Park and NOVAC will be co-hosting a stargazing event that’s open to the public.  NOVAC members will provide telescopes to view objects in the night sky. You do not need to be a member of the club or own any astronomical equipment to attend.

For individuals who are fully vaccinated, face coverings and social distancing are not required. Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated should continue face covering and social distancing procedures.

This outdoor event is weather-dependent. In the event of significant cloud cover or inclement weather, a presentation in the Visitor Center will replace the stargazing event (topic TBD).

For more information, please visit Widewater State Park’s website.

Dec
4
Sat
2021
Sky Meadows State Park- Astronomy for Everyone @ Sky Meadows State Park
Dec 4 @ 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Sky Meadows State Park- Astronomy for Everyone @ Sky Meadows State Park

RSVP here.

NOVAC supports this event by providing telescope views to visitors.

  • Sky Meadows State Park (11012 Edmonds Ln.), behind the Mount Bleak House within the white fence.
  • For individuals who are fully vaccinated face coverings and social distancing are no longer required but recommended. Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated will be asked to continue face covering and social distancing procedures.
  • The event’s programs will take place rain or shine.

Please visit the official website for more details.

C.M. Crockett Public Night @ C.M. Crockett Park
Dec 4 @ 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
C.M. Crockett Public Night @ C.M. Crockett Park | Midland | Virginia | United States

RSVP here.

Members of the public are invited to view the wonders of the universe through the telescopes of NOVAC volunteers. You do not need to be a member of the club or own any astronomical equipment to attend.

Featured objects will include Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and deep sky objects like star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.

Arrive up to an hour before the event if you want to inspect different telescopes and other visual equipment on the field as they’re being set up. Have a cosmic question? One of our astronomers will be happy to help you. After sunset be prepared to enjoy the wonders of the night sky!

Feel free to walk around and enjoy the different telescopes on display but please ask the owner before using. Please monitor your children if they’re around expensive astronomical equipment. Remember, telescope mirrors are sensitive to cigarette smoke and bug spray. Pets should not be brought onto the observing field as well (unless they are service animals).

Don’t forget to dress warmly! Please check the weather forecast. For lighting, cover a flashlight in red cellophane (the darker the better). Bring along water to keep hydrated and plan on staying the entire evening or as long as the weather allows. If you’re arriving after dark, please dim your vehicle’s headlights as you approach the gravel parking lot.

Note: This outdoor event is weather-dependent and may be cancelled because of significant cloud cover or precipitation.

Please read the C.M. Crockett Page for park details.

 

Dec
11
Sat
2021
Canceled- Widewater State Park Stargazing Event @ Widewater State Park
Dec 11 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Canceled- Widewater State Park Stargazing Event @ Widewater State Park

This event is cancelled because of inclement weather.

RSVP Here.

Widewater State Park and NOVAC will be co-hosting a stargazing event that’s open to the public.  NOVAC members will provide telescopes to view objects in the night sky. You do not need to be a member of the club or own any astronomical equipment to attend.

For individuals who are fully vaccinated, face coverings and social distancing are not required. Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated should continue face covering and social distancing procedures.

This outdoor event is weather-dependent.

For more information, please visit Widewater State Park’s website.