Becoming a member of NOVAC

Ask yourself why you want to join an astronomy club. Is it to learn the sky, look through different telescopes, find out what others are doing, or stargaze with fellow astronomers? NOVAC is all that and much more. We are a friendly group of amateur astronomers whose motto is "to observe...and to help others observe".

NOVAC is an observers club. Every clear night someone from NOVAC is at one of our observing sites or posting an observation on the e-mail server. We go out and look at it then talk about it.


- We have nearly 1000 members with the same interest, astronomy. There are members of all types, grandchildren to professional astronomers.

- We use many different telescopes. Hundreds of small and medium telescopes of all types and many large telescopes. Several of our members have reflectors with mirror sizes over 20" and refractors with 6"  apertures. The club is in the process of building a 36" reflector!

- NOVAC is also developing a robotic telescope for members to take CCD images free of charge. The scope will be located in West Virginia and have a user friendly interface to take pictures then e-mail them to you.

- There is access to reasonably dark observing sites. We have several agreements with park authorities that allow us to observe on their property. Members often post their intentions on the list server prior to heading out, so you don't have to observe in the dark, alone. Members travel to very dark sites on the East Coast and star parties all over.

- Each year, NOVAC reserves one of the darkest observing areas on the East Coast for it's members to use. Gatewood Campground at Spruce Knob mountain in West Virginia is 5 hours from Washington DC and is well worth the drive. If you've not observed in a truly dark pristine environment, this is the place to do it. Non-members can use the site for a fee.

- Use our loaner scopes. We have a Celestron model SP-C6 newt  on a Super Polaris German equatorial mount, hand-made 6 inch f/5 reflector on a Dobsonian mount, 6 inch f/8 Meade Dobsonian reflector, Discovery 10" f/6 Dobsonian, 8" Celestron SCT, Coronado SolarMax 40 Hydrogen-Alpha filter with 70mm Orion refractor mounted on a equatorial mount, AstroVid 1000 video camera, 10x50, 12x50, 8x40 binoculars, and a laser collimator to lend.

We hold monthly meetings. We meet at the George Mason University on the
second Sunday of each month at 7:00 PM. There is opening remarks and
announcements, a sky tour and a guest speaker or special program. Don't
forget dinner before the meeting at Red, Hot and Blue!

- The Annual NOVAC Star Gaze. During the day and night. Lots of scopes, lots of people and lots of fun.

- A great public outreach program. Here is a chance to share with others what you know (or learn while others are being taught).

- An active e-mail list server. Our members discuss all aspects of astronomy and it's a great place to get your questions answered. You can have messages sent directly to you (around 20 a day) or in a daily digest. You can also browse or search them through an archived list on the Internet.

- A great, award winning, bi-monthly newsletter. Topics include reviews of monthly meetings and lectures, observing reports, equipment and book reviews, amateur telescope making projects and club events. 

- Check out the NOVAC library. We have much reference material for your use.
   
- Club members get a discount on Astronomy and Sky and Telescope magazine.
   
- Amateur telescope making. A special interest group formed to help members share ideas about telescope making.

- Our Monthly Observing Sessions (MOS) help members observe 
more often, even while in a severely light polluted area.

- The NOVAC Mentoring Program matches you up with others that own 
the same equipment you have or have experience that can help you.

- Optional membership in the Astronomical League (AL) at a large discount from member-at-large rates.

- CCD imagery, Occultation's, solar observing, the Messier marathon, Astronomy Day, a summer picnic, a frequently updated website and more!
  
Click here to join the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club!

Click here for frequently asked questions.