Virginia Association of Astronomical Societies (VAAS) 2019 Annual Meeting – Cancelled

We are a week and a half away from the scheduled VAAS meeting, and with a very low number of responses we are cancelling the morning sessions.
While we (technically) have far too few people to do the tour of Udvar-Hazey (the museum asks for a minimum of 20) we are still willing to try to make that happen if those who have already registered are interested.  Please let us know NLT Tuesday, October 1, by email to vaas@novac.com, if you plan to attend the Udvar-Hazey tour.
All are still invited to attend our scheduled talks at Star Gaze at CM Crockett Park and the observing after sunset.
The updated schedule is:
12:30 – 2:30: Astronomy-centered tour of the Smithsonian Air & Space Udvar-Hazey Center (if there is sufficient interest)
3:00 – 11:00 StarGaze at CM Crockett Park, 10066 Rogues Road (Rt. 602) Midland, VA, 22728.  Speakers and topics:
4:00 – Night sky photography with your smartphone (Dan Ward)
5:00 – Cold Case: Unsolved Mysteries of the Outer Planet Satellites (Dr. Emily Martin of the Smithsonian Inst)
6:00 – Dr. Tom Barclay of NASA Goddard will speak on a topic to be determined
Sunset is at 6:46, and we will be observing until 11:00.

Directions

Crockett Park is about 20 miles south of Manassas at 10066 Rogues Road (Rt. 602) Midland, VA, 22728. From Washington DC/Northern Virginia, go west on I-66 to exit 44 (234 South bypass around Manassas). Take 234 bypass approximately 3 miles to Rt. 28 West. Stay on Route 28 for about 13.7 miles through Nokesville, Catlett, and Calverton. Turn right on Rt. 643 (Meetze Rd.) towards Warrenton (Mayhugh’s country store is on the corner) Go about a mile up Rt. 643 to the park entrance road (Rogues Rd.) on the left. Look for a small sign directing you to CM Crockett Park. Once on the park entrance road, go one-half mile to the park gate.


Crockett Main Gate

After arriving at the main gate, continue past the gravel parking lot on the left to the paved parking lot at the end of the road. There will be telescopes setup in the nearby field. Dim your headlights when arriving and departing. Please do not drive onto the field.


Observing Field


Gravel Parking Lot


Paved Parking Lot