Observing in Southern Skies
Hear from NOVAC member Milt Roney about observing in our Southern Hemisphere

An introduction to Eyepieces. Teaches you how to calculate magnification, Field of View and Exit Pupil.

Astronomical League observing awards - expand your horizons and skills 
observing new targets. Many of our members have! You can too.

Observing and Drawing Mars! Join Bob Bunge as he gives hints and tips on how to make the most of your Mars observing session.

A Brief Discussion about Nebula Filters - What are they and how are they used?
Topics cover emission lines, use and cost of broadband, narrowband, 
OIII and Hydrogen Beta filters. 
 

Equipment Reviews  - Club members give their honest opinions of equipment 
they own. Read this before you buy and save your astrocash.

The Novac RoboScope - The club's latest CCD endeavor. An LX-200 robotic 
telescope is being installed in West Virginia for automated imaging. Find out how 
you can take advantage of this awesome resourse.
 

Planetary Nebula - An excellent introduction to these interesting 
astronomical phenomena. Tips help you understand and observing them. 
Easy and challenging examples are listed.
 

Star Clusters are everywhere in our nighttime sky.  Here's a good guide to 
observe the easy and hard ones. Examples of Spring, Summer and Fall open 
and globular clusters are listed.

Regional Star Parties Calendar 
Experience star gazing with a couple hundred of your closest friends! Check out where to sign up for star parties in the region.

Light pollution maps of Northern Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia 
show the effects of bad lighting in our National Capital region. Maps show state 
and county boundaries with colors representing the Bortle class rating. 

Find the planets - Your guide to finding the planets of our solar system throughout the year. Charts cover two months at a time.

What's Up? The Space Place - NOVAC member Greg Redfern's periodic column on WTOP's Web site.

Glossary of Astronomical Terms - Find out what that acronym means.

Binocular Basics - Everything you want to know about binoculars

Special Interest Groups (SIG) - SIG's focus on specific areas of Amateur astronomy.

Web Wisdom: Telescope Buying - Tips to consider and help you make the right choice! Several equipment buying links are listed.

Novac's Mentoring Program - Need help? Have someone with experience show you how! The Novac mentoring program connects you with an experienced club member to help you get started.

How to refurbish a high school observatory - Step one of the McLean High School Observatory Project shows what is needed to be fixed. 

The Ironman's Tips - Tom Dietz has put together a page of tips for staying comfortable while observing in cold weather.

Jeff's Corner - has put together the sun and moon rise and set times, as well as ISS predictions, Jupiter moon events, and many other interesting calculations.

Library - Looking for something to read when it's cloudy outside? NOVAC members have many books to choose from in the club library.  New books are added regularly.

Astrolinks - here's the NOVAC version of the ever popular links page. Is your page there?

NOVAC in the News - News articles which mention NOVAC, its members or their efforts.

Member Asteroids  - A fun and interactive way to view asteroids named for NOVAC members

See NOVAC  in daylight! - If you dare! 

Messier Marathon - Each year NOVAC sponsors a Messier Marathon in late March/early April.

Planetariums - Where do you go to watch the night sky during the day? Here is a list of planetariums in the D.C. metro area

VOLT - Take a look at The Virginia Outdoor Lighting Taskforce

The Right Lights!  - View the actual zoning ordinance amendment passed in Fauquier County, Virginia