Northern Virginia Astronomy Club
Encyclopedia
The Northern Virginia Astronomy Club was founded in 1980 and incorporated in 1991 in Northern Virginia
near Washington, D.C.
by amateur astronomers. Monthly meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. at the George Mason University
on the second Sunday of each month. Monthly observing sessions (see star party
), are held at dark sky locations with which the club has prior arrangements.
The club seeks to "provide enjoyment and education to the public (and ourselves) through amateur astronomy
". With its proximity to Washington D.C., it is able to draw members and speakers from the diverse region. It is one of the largest amateur astronomy
clubs in the United States
with close to 1000 members.
There are dues associated with the club to pay for the library, membership in the Astronomical League
, and other club related expenses.
Applications are available on the website. See link below.
Included with membership is: Use of the clubs observing sites. Use of the clubs lending "library" of telescopes, books, and DVDs. Club listserve to ask questions and give notices of club related or astronomical events
in association with Astronomy Day
and in the fall they hold another party at a location the club has viewing arrangements. Every month there is public viewing at C.M. Crockett park in Fauquier County, Virginia
.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
near Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
by amateur astronomers. Monthly meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. at the George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
on the second Sunday of each month. Monthly observing sessions (see star party
Star party
A star party is a gathering of amateur astronomers for the purpose of observing the sky. Local star parties may be one night affairs, but larger events can last up to a week or longer and attract hundreds or even thousands of participants. Many regional star parties are now held annually and are an...
), are held at dark sky locations with which the club has prior arrangements.
The club seeks to "provide enjoyment and education to the public (and ourselves) through amateur astronomy
Amateur astronomy
Amateur astronomy, also called backyard astronomy and stargazing, is a hobby whose participants enjoy watching the night sky , and the plethora of objects found in it, mainly with portable telescopes and binoculars...
". With its proximity to Washington D.C., it is able to draw members and speakers from the diverse region. It is one of the largest amateur astronomy
Amateur astronomy
Amateur astronomy, also called backyard astronomy and stargazing, is a hobby whose participants enjoy watching the night sky , and the plethora of objects found in it, mainly with portable telescopes and binoculars...
clubs in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with close to 1000 members.
Membership
According to the club website, "Membership in the NOVAC is open to anyone with an interest in astronomy. You do not have to own a scope or have a knowledge of astronomy to join."There are dues associated with the club to pay for the library, membership in the Astronomical League
Astronomical League
The Astronomical League is an umbrella organization of amateur astronomy societies. Currently their membership consists of over 240 organizations across the United States, along with a number of Members-at-Large, Patrons, and Supporting members....
, and other club related expenses.
Applications are available on the website. See link below.
Included with membership is: Use of the clubs observing sites. Use of the clubs lending "library" of telescopes, books, and DVDs. Club listserve to ask questions and give notices of club related or astronomical events
Events
The club participates in a few major events every year. In the spring the club holds a Star partyStar party
A star party is a gathering of amateur astronomers for the purpose of observing the sky. Local star parties may be one night affairs, but larger events can last up to a week or longer and attract hundreds or even thousands of participants. Many regional star parties are now held annually and are an...
in association with Astronomy Day
Astronomy Day
Astronomy Day is an annual event intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals....
and in the fall they hold another party at a location the club has viewing arrangements. Every month there is public viewing at C.M. Crockett park in Fauquier County, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.