Mar
5
Sat
2022
Sky Meadows State Park- Astronomy for Everyone @ Sky Meadows State Park
Mar 5 @ 6:30 pm – 9:30 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 not 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.

Mar
13
Sun
2022
Public Monthly Meeting – Improving the Performance of Your Imaging Mount
Mar 13 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Public Monthly Meeting - Improving the Performance of Your Imaging Mount

Improving the Performance of Your Imaging Mount 

Eric Snow, Ph.D.

Sunday, March 13, 2022

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM EST

Online event

meet.google.com/osh-bcyd-gti

Monthly Meeting – Public Invited

 

Abstract:

In this presentation, Eric will share his experience on improving the performance of equatorial mounts, a critical and expensive component of astrophotography systems.  He will start with the basics of operation and cover the common sources of tracking errors found in lower- to moderately-priced systems.  Eric will then present a strategy to minimize these errors by using “hypertuning” and optimized guiding.  The presentation will serve as a “How-To” guide for achieving atmospheric-seeing-limited imaging performance with less expensive mounts.

 

Bio:

Dr. Eric Snow recently retired from a 35-year scientific career at the Naval Research Laboratory where he served as the Director of the Institute for Nanoscience and as Head of the Physics of Electronic Materials Branch.  Eric’s field of expertise is Nanoscience, which is the study and engineering of matter at the nanometer length scale.  In retirement Eric has changed course and is learning about the universe at the opposite end of the length scale, the scale of light-years.  In this pursuit Eric joined NOVAC and has taken up the hobby of astrophotography.

Mar
26
Sat
2022
Great Meadow Public Night @ Great Meadow
Mar 26 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

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.

Before sunset, feel free to inspect the different telescopes and other visual equipment on the field. 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!

As a reminder please ask permission from the telescope 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.

More information about Great Meadow including directions and parking visit the Great Meadow Site page.

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

 

Apr
2
Sat
2022
Canceled- C.M. Crockett Public Night @ C.M. Crockett Park
Apr 2 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Canceled- C.M. Crockett Public Night @ C.M. Crockett Park | Midland | Virginia | United States

This event is CANCELED due to the cloud cover forecast tonight.

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.

Before sunset, feel free to inspect the different telescopes and other visual equipment on the field. 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!

As a reminder please ask permission from the telescope 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.

 

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Astronomy Night @ Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
Apr 2 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Astronomy Night @ Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial | Midland | Virginia | United States

RSVP here.

Members of the public are invited to view the night sky through telescopes and participate in hands-on activities provided by the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC), the National Capital Astronomers, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Astronomy Club, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and the Montgomery College Planetarium.

The event will honor President Eisenhower who sent a note to Congress on April 2, 1958 requesting the formation of a civil space agency, NASA. The Trust for the National Mall and Hofstra University will co-host the event.

Don’t forget to dress warmly. Please check the weather forecast.

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

 

Rappahannock County Park Open Observing Session @ Rappahannock County Park
Apr 2 @ 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm

RSVP here.

Members of the public are invited to view the wonders of the universe through the telescopes of Rappahannock County Park volunteers and NOVAC members. This is an open observing session and members of the public may bring their own telescopes and binoculars as well.

Note this program is only an observing session (no presentation).

As a reminder please ask permission from the telescope 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 visit the official website for more details.

Apr
9
Sat
2022
George Mason University- Arlington Campus Night Sky Viewing @ George Mason University, Arlington Campus
Apr 9 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
George Mason University- Arlington Campus Night Sky Viewing @ George Mason University, Arlington Campus

RSVP here.

Members of the public are invited to view the urban night sky over George Mason University’s Arlington Campus through the telescopes of NOVAC volunteers.

Observing will take place on the outdoor plaza in front of Van Metre Hall (Schar School of Policy and Government). Visitor Parking is available in the Van Metre Hall Garage (hourly rate). There is also metered street parking around the campus.

As a reminder please ask permission from the telescope owner before using. Please monitor your children if they’re around expensive astronomical equipment.

Don’t forget to dress warmly. Please check the weather forecast.

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

Apr
10
Sun
2022
Public Monthly Meeting – How to Measure Velocities of Distant Galaxy Clusters, and Why
Apr 10 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Public Monthly Meeting - How to Measure Velocities of Distant Galaxy Clusters, and Why

How to Measure Velocities of Distant Galaxy Clusters, and Why

Arthur Kosowsky, Ph.D.

Sunday, April 12, 2022

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM EST

Online event

meet.google.com/osh-bcyd-gti

Monthly Meeting – Public Invited

 

Abstract:

Galaxy clusters are the most massive gravitationally bound objects in the universe. Their hot ionized gas scatters photons of the cosmic microwave background, creating a microwave spectrum distortion (called the Thermal Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect) which recent experiments have used to identify thousands of clusters. Velocities of these clusters with respect to the cosmic rest frame can be probed using a related hot-gas scattering effect (the Kinematic Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect) or a subtle gravitational lensing effect (the transverse lensing effect). I will describe these effects and their detection prospects in upcoming cosmic microwave background experiments. Velocities of galaxy clusters reflect the growth of structure in the universe, and so provide one route to probing whether the accelerating expansion of the universe is due to some mysterious dark energy or to a modification of general relativity on cosmological scales.

Bio:

Arthur Kosowsky is Professor and Chair of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1994 and spent three years as a Junior Fellow at Harvard University before taking a faculty job at Rutgers University. He moved to Pittsburgh in 2005. Major research interests have included the cosmic microwave background radiation, properties of the universe, and gravitational waves. Kosowsky was a founding member of the Atacama Cosmology Telescope collaboration and the Simons Observatory collaboration.

Apr
22
Fri
2022
Sky Meadows State Park Lyrid Meteor Shower Viewing @ Sky Meadows State Park
Apr 22 @ 7:00 pm – Apr 23 @ 8:00 am
Sky Meadows State Park Lyrid Meteor Shower Viewing @ Sky Meadows State Park

RSVP here.

This family-friendly event, made possible by the Friends of Sky Meadows, provides a relaxing opportunity to learn the importance of dark sky conservation, have a chance to view the Lyrid meteor shower while having the unique experience of being in the park after dark. Begin the evening with a kid-friendly segment exploring the nocturnal animals that call Sky Meadows home. Join NASA JPL Ambassadors and members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC) as they discuss the natural phenomenon of a meteor shower. Explore steps you can take back home to reduce light pollution with the International Dark-Sky Association. Later in the evening view the Lyrid Meteor Shower with the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club as they guide visitors through the night sky.

Tickets are $30 per vehicle (no more than 6 people per ticket). Water and breakfast will be provided, additional snacks available for purchase. Alcohol is prohibited.

Event participants will be allowed to set up one tent for overnight viewing. Space is limited, to register for the meteor shower viewing click here.

Park gate will close promptly at 10 p.m.
All proceeds go to the Friends of Sky Meadows.

Other details

Standard parking or admission fee applies: No.
Extra fee: $30.
Children welcome: Yes.
Phone: 540-592-3556
Email Address: SkyMeadows@dcr.virginia.gov

The event’s programs will take place rain or shine.

Get tickets here.

Apr
23
Sat
2022
Great Meadow Public Night @ Great Meadow
Apr 23 @ 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm

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.

Before sunset, feel free to inspect the different telescopes and other visual equipment on the field. 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!

As a reminder please ask permission from the telescope 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.

More information about Great Meadow including directions and parking visit the Great Meadow Site page.

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