Category: News
News and Updates
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February 20 – Public Monthly Meeting – Wild and Wonderful Space Volcanoes!
Wild and Wonderful Space Volcanoes! How are there many different types of volcanoes in our Solar System? How do these volcanoes form and evolve? We’ll explore the marvelous volcanic wonders of the Solar System by deep diving into how they behave and form from different planetary materials, including the mysteries of cryovolcanism! Caitlin Ahrens, Ph.D. Sunday, February 20, 2022 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM EST Online event meet.google.com/osh-bcyd-gti Monthly Read more […] -
NOVAC Offers Digital Library for Members
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Astro-3D Print Group Meeting Coming Soon!
Hello fellow Astro-3D-printers! In our next meeting Stefano Antonini will discuss techniques and plans for a 3D printed barn door astro-tracker that he and fellow NOVAC member, Chris Papageorgakis have been designing, taking inspiration from two similar designs posted. If you’re part of NOVAC’s 3D print group please join use for the discussion on 11 Jan 22 from 7-8pm EST, using the link provided to the group via email. In this meeting Stefano explain how a barn door tracker works, the Read more […] -
Astro-Travelers Lloyd and Susan Franklin witness the 4 Dec 21 Total Solar Eclipse from Antarctica
NOVAC’s intrepid eclipse observers, Lloyd and Susan Franklin have done it again capturing the recent Dec 4th total solar eclipse from the continent of Antarctica. Chasing total solar eclipses (TSEs) has always been a niche hobby of Lloyd’s – witnessing the eclipse of 4 Dec brings Lloyd’s total viewed TSEs to eleven, AND with this recent success he has now witnessed them from all seven continents of the world! According to Lloyd, chasing eclipses offers a great reason to visit some Read more […] -
January 9 – Public Monthly Meeting – Two Eyes are Better than One
Two Eyes are Better than OnePhilip S. Harrington, FRASAstronomy Author/EducatorContributing editor, Astronomy magazineSunday, January 9, 20227:30 PM to 9:00 PM ESTOnline eventhttps://meet.google.com/osh-bcyd-gtiMonthly Meeting – Public Invited Abstract:Binoculars are NOT just for beginners, as this talk will stress. After various binocular-related terms are defined, Phil Harrington will offer consumer tips to help the audience weed out astronomically worthy binoculars from a vast ocean of models Read more […] -
December 12 – Public Monthly Meeting – How to Optimize your Astrophotography Setup
How to Optimize your Astrophotography Setup Dr. Thomas B. Fowler Sunday, December 12, 2021 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM EST Online event meet.google.com/osh-bcyd-gti Monthly Meeting – Public Invited Abstract: Amateur astronomers know too well that using a $400 Tele Vue eyepiece with a $100 telescope would be a waste of money and the capabilities of the Tele Vue. It would work, but for $500 a much better optical train could be assembled. Similarly, any attempt to get 300x out of a 60mm Read more […] -
NOVAC Supports US Naval Academy
On November 5, 2021, the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Physics Department and STEM Center welcomed 170 USNA Faculty and Staff and their friends and families to its annual Family Night. Presented in collaboration with the USNA Midshipman Astronomy Club, Family Night was a 2-hour “star party” that included a Planetarium Show, observing Venus, Jupiter and Saturn in a visit to the Class of ’41 Observatory, and hands-on STEM activities presented by midshipmen. LCDR Kai Seglem Read more […] -
Two Vintage Optics Brought to Life in a New Century
In late 2017 I found an 8″ f/4 Enterprise Optics primary for sale on Astromart. I had been wanting a small portable dob for a while. The size and focal ratio were “just right” But was it a good mirror? Read more […] -
Mason by Moonlight
George Mason University (GMU) played host to over 200 visitors during their Mason by Moonlight event on 16 October 2021. NOVAC was pleased to support the GMU Astronomy Department to help showcase the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn by offering nice telescope views from just outside the astronomy department on the university campus. Students representing GMU’s Friends of the Observatory (FOTO) were on hand to showcase the university’s observatory and 32” telescope and as well as provide Read more […] -
November 14 – Public Monthly Meeting – Come Fly Away to the Sun
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 Read more […]