The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will hold its fourth Heidi’s Night Activity for students grades 4 – 12 and parents interested in Astronomy on Friday, July 31st from 9 to 10:30 pm at the McCormick Observatory on the grounds of the University of Virginia. The event honors the memory CAS member Heidi Winter, former executive secretary to the Director of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, who passed away in 2012. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in four activities during the evening. These include:

A laser tour of the night sky

A classroom activity

 Viewing the night sky though the historic 26” Clark refractor

  View the night sky through a home-built 4” scope

Registration is required.  For more information or to register, please contact CAS President, Steve Layman slayman2528@comcast.net   In case of inclement weather, the evening may be shortened and activities would be limited to indoors.

The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will hold its fourth Heidi’s Night Activity for students grades 4 – 12 and parents interested in Astronomy on Friday, May 29th from 8:30 to 10 pm at the McCormick Observatory on the grounds of the University of Virginia. The event honors the memory CAS member Heidi Winter, former executive secretary to the Director of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, who passed away in 2012. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in four activities during the evening. These include:

A laser tour of the night sky

A classroom activity

 Viewing the night sky though the historic 26” Clark refractor

  View the night sky through a home-built 4” scope

Registration is required.  For more information or to register, please contact CAS President, Steve Layman slayman2528@comcast.net   In case of inclement weather, the evening may be shortened and activities would be limited to indoors.

Friday, March 6, 2015 from 7:00 to 9 pm

Come enjoy learning about the stars and other celestial objects. We’ll start with a short talk in the education program to learn about the stars and planets. Then after the skies darken volunteers will help point out constellations and nebula. Bring your telescopes and binoculars to share views of the night sky with members of the public. Free and open to all. Meet in the field next to the barn at the Ivy Creek Natural Area. Cloudy skies will cancel the outdoor portion of this event. This event will recur on the odd months throughout the year.

 This event has been Canceled due to Snow on the Observing field.

Come join the members of the Charlottesville Astronomical Society on Friday, November 7, 2014 from 8:00 to 10:00 pm at the Ivy Creek Natural Area.

At 8:00 pm there will a be Lecture titled Telescope 101 in the Education Building. Then between 9:00 and 10:00 pm, there will be a variety of telescopes set up by the Barn at Ivy Creek Natural Area for observing celestial objects.

Directions to Ivy Creek Natural Area.

The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will host a evening at McCormick Observatory for the Covenant School.   They will experience an astronomy presentation and then be shown around the night sky with the 26″ McCormick Telescope.  We are expecting about 25 children (9 to 10 year olds) and about 20 adults.  The event will be from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.

The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will present “First Fridays Under the Stars” at the Ivy Creek Natural Area on a regular basis.  Starting at 8 pm on September 5, 2014, the public is invited to attend at the Education Center a free 45 minute astronomy presentation followed by a 15 minute question and answer session and then, weather permitting, there will be an observing session by the barn at Ivy Creek.  Steve Layman will make a presentation called “Your Night Sky – Let’s Figure This Out” on September 5th.

Charlottesville Astronomical Society Members will bring a variety of telescopes, binoculars and green lasers to show attendees around the night sky.  Constellation identification and astro lore will be discussed.  Directions.

The events will be held rain or shine.  The lecture will happen no matter what the weather. This event will be conducted at Ivy Creek Natural Area on September 5, 2014, November 7, 2014 (7 pm start), January 2, 2015 (7 pm start), March 6, 2015 (7 pm start), May 1, 2015 (8 pm start) and July 3, 2015 (8 pm start).

The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will provide an astronomy presentation and then use the 26″ McCormick Telescope to show the Graduate Family Housing Association (about 40 graduate students and family members) around the night sky from 9 pm to 11 pm.

DuCard Members are invited to a Star Party  at DuCard Vineyards in Madison County,  Virginia on Friday, October 3rd.  At 8 pm there will be an astronomy presentation and then observing the night sky from 9 pm to 10:00 pm.  Charlottesville Astronomical Society members will bring variety of telescopes, binoculars and green lasers to show attendees around the night sky.  Directions.

Cancelled to cloudy weather.

Come join the members of the Charlottesville Astronomical Society as we celebrate Astronomy Day on Saturday, October 4 at the Ivy Creek Natural Area. There will be Solar viewing from noon to 5:00 pm and a Star Party from 7 – 10 pm weather permitting. There will also be a telescope build for kids and parents in the Education Center from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. There is a $50.00 charge for the telescope build and registration is required. To register for the telescope build email Steve Layman.

Directions to Ivy Creek Natural Area.

The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will hold its fourth Heidi’s Night Activity for students grades 4 – 12 and parents interested in Astronomy on Friday, January 30 from 7:30 to 9 pm at the McCormick Observatory on the grounds of the University of Virginia. The event honors the memory CAS member Heidi Winter, former executive secretary to the Director of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, who passed away in 2012. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in four activities during the evening. These include:

A laser tour of the night sky

A classroom activity

 Viewing the night sky though the historic 26” Clark refractor

  View the night sky through a home-built 4” scope

Registration is required.  For more information or to register, please contact CAS President, Steve Layman slayman2528@comcast.net   In case of inclement weather, the evening may be shortened and activities would be limited to indoors.

The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will provide an astronomy presentation and then use the 26″ McCormick Telescope to show the Richmond Area Mensa Gifted Youth  (12 children ages 8-15 with 7 adults) around the night sky from 9 pm to 11 pm.

The University of Virginia’s Astronomy Department will be hosting its Fall Open House at Fan Mountain Observatory on Friday, October 24th from dusk (about 8 pm) until about 11:30 pm.  All club members are invited to bring their telescopes, binoculars and any astronomical knowledge to share with the public.  Public attendees need to request free tickets by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the University of Virginia Astronomy Department.  Tickets typically run out about a month before the event so public attendees need to get their request in early.

The group Virginia is for Wizards  will attend the Group Night at McCormick Observatory on Friday, June 13, 2014 from 9 to 11 pm.  Larry Saunders will provide an astronomy presentation and Chris Nichols will show the group some planets with the 26″ McCormick telescope.

The public is invited to a Star Party at Ivy Creek Natural Area on Friday, July 11 from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm.  Charlottesville Astronomical Society Members will bring a variety of telescopes, binoculars and green lasers to show attendees around the night sky.  Constellation identification and astro lore will be discussed.  Directions.

The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will hold its third Heidi’s Night Activity for students grades 4 – 12 and parents interested in Astronomy on Friday, June  29th from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm at the McCormick Observatory on the grounds of the University of Virginia. The event honors the memory CAS member Heidi Winter, former executive secretary to the Director of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, who passed away in 2012. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in four activities during the evening. These include:

A laser tour of the night sky

A classroom activity

 Viewing the night sky though the historic 26” Clark refractor

  View the night sky through a home-built 4” scope

For more information or to register, please contact CAS President, Steve Layman slayman2528@comcast.net   In case of inclement weather, the evening may be shortened and activities would be limited to indoors.

Lake Monticello History Group with about 20 senior adults along with a group of about 10 senior adults from The Lodge at Old Trail will be attending this Group Night at McCormick Observatory from 9 to 11 pm.  Larry Saunders will provide an astronomy presentation and Rob Capon will show the group some planets with the 26″ McCormick telescope.

The Charlottesville Astronomical Society – Charlottesville’s Amateur Astronomy Club – will celebrate Astronomy Day on Saturday, May 10 , with public events from Noon – 10:00 pm at the McCormick Observatory on the grounds of the University of Virginia. From Noon to 6:00 pm club members will be offering safe solar viewing through white light and H alpha filters and tours of the observatory. After dark guests can observe through club scopes and the historic 26” Clark refractor as well as enjoy a laser light tour of the night sky – weather permitting. In the event of rain, the event is cancelled.

Hollymead Elementary School will be at the Group night at McCormick Observatory on Friday, May 23rd from 9 to 11 pm.  We are expecting about 20 4ht grade children all about 9 to 10 years old and about 15 adults.  There will be an astronomy presentation for them and then they will observe with the 26″ McCormick telescope.  Staffing to be determined.

The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will conduct an Astronomy Night for students (ages 9 through teens) at the Greene County Library, 222 Main Street, Stanardsville, VA  on Monday, February 3, 2014 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.  The event, primarily geared for middle and high school students, their parents and/or grandparents, is expected to be attended by 75 to 100 people.   Contact Ginny Reese, Librarian or Tom Walsh at 434.985.5227 to register for the event.

The agenda starts with an indoor presentation ((Observing the Night Sky – 20-30 minutes) given by CAS member Ed Preston. The attendees would then proceed to the Westernmost parking area (serving the main entrance for PVCC and adjacent to the Cafe Lafayette – not open on Monday evenings) that would be cordoned-off to parking and without illumination for that evening to facilitate observing and a laser tour of the night sky.  In the event of uncooperative weather, the event will be conducted indoors – with Ed Preston’s presentation and a live tour of the actual Greene County nighttime sky on Fevbruary 3rd using Stellarium software projected onto a large screen.

The Ivy Creek Natural Area Star Party event is open to the public on Friday, January 17th, 2014 from 7 pm until 9 pm.  Meet beside the barn.  Club members are encouraged to bring their telescopes, binoculars and laser pointers to show the night sky.  Event will cancel if inclement weather.

Cub Scout Pack 14 will be attending the Group Night at McCormick Observatory on Friday, January 24, 2014 from 7 to 9 pm.  We are expecting about 44 cub scouts from 6 to 12 years old with about 20 adults.  Steve Layman provided an astronomical and green laser presentation  for the group.  Wes Epperly and Ed Preston showed the group around the sky with the 26″ McCormick telescope.

The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will hold its second Heidi’s Night Activity for students grades 4 – 12 and parents interested in Astronomy on Friday, January 31, 2014 from 7 – 9 pm at the McCormick Observatory on the grounds of the University of Virginia.  The event honors the memory CAS member Heidi Winter, former executive secretary to the Director of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, who passed away in 2012.  Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in four activities during the evening.  These include:

A laser tour of the night sky

A classroom activity

 Viewing the night sky though the historic 26” Clark refractor

  View the night sky through a home-built 4” scope

For more information or to register, please contact CAS President, Steve Layman slayman2528@comcast.net  Participants should dress warmly as three of the activities will take place under the night sky.  In case of inclement weather, the evening may be shortened and activities would be limited to indoors.

Girl Scout Troop 184 will be attending the Group Night at McCormick Observatory on Friday, February 14, 2014 from 7 to 9 pm.  We expect about 6 children about 9 years old with about 4 adults.  Richard Drumm is planning on providing an astronomical presentation.  Ed Preston will show the group around the sky with the 26″ McCormick telescope.   Cancelled due to snow.

At Key Recreation Center.  Lot of activities.  Hosted by Discovery Museum.  Safe solar viewing provided by Charlottesville Astronomical Society members.

Cub Scout Pack 19 will be attending the Group Night at McCormick Observatory on Friday, February 28, 2014 from 7 to 9 pm.  We are expecting about 10 children from 7 to 10 years old with about 10 adults.   Girl Scout Troop #427 will also be there with 22 children from 5 to 9 years old with 10 adults.  Larry Saunders to make and an astronomical presentation.  Steve Layman, Michael Hegedus and Bill Phillips will run the 26″ McCormick telescope and also open the Doghouse telescope for the groups.

The University of Virginia’s Astronomy Department will be hosting its Spring Open House at Fan Mountain Observatory on Friday, April 25 from dusk (about 8 pm) until about 11:30 pm.  All club members are invited to bring their telescopes, binoculars and any astronomical knowledge to share with the public.  Public attendees need to request free tickets by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the University of Virginia Astronomy Department.  Tickets typically run out about a month before the event so public attendees need to get their request in early.

This event was rained out this year but there still were over 100 visitors.

On Friday,  December 13, 2013 the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) will be attending a Group Night at McCormick Observatory from 7pm to 9 pm.  We expect about 30 children from 1 to 6 year old and about 10 adults.  Larry Saunders will be the MC for this evening.

The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will hold its first Heidi’s Night Activity for students grades 4 – 12 and parents interested in Astronomy on Friday, November 29 from 7 – 9 pm at the McCormick Observatory on the grounds of the University of Virginia. The event honors the memory CAS member Heidi Winter, former executive secretary to the Director of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, who passed away in 2012. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in four activities during the evening. These include:

– A laser tour of the night sky
– A demonstration of free astronomy software
– Viewing the night sky through a homebuilt 4” scope
– Viewing the night sky though the historic 26” Clark refractor

For more information or to register, please contact CAS President, Steve Layman slayman2528@comcast.net Participants should dress warmly as three of the activities will take place under the night sky. In case of inclement weather, the evening may be shortened and activities would be limited to indoors.

Families from University Family Housing will be attending the Group Night at McCormick Observatory on Friday, October 11, 2013 from 9 to 11 pm.  We expect about 70 people including children of all ages.  Michael Rein is planning on providing an astronomical presentation (maybe 2).  Bill Phillips will show the group around the sky with the 26″ McCormick telescope.  Kathleen Manual will help manage this large group and Larry Saunders plans on opening the Doghouse.

The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will host a Star Party for at Hollymead Elementary School on Friday, October 25, 2013 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.  Participants will be enjoy a telescopic and green laser tour of the night sky.  Any club members attending should contact Steve Layman for specific information.

If you are a star gazer, you’ll love this Introduction to Astronomy class taught through Albemarle County’s Open Doors Program.  Explore the Universe by learning what’s up in the night sky, learn the constellations & their mythology to fi nd your way around the night sky, and what tools to use when observing.  Classes are held at Alb. High with 2 planned field trips which will be scheduled according to weather conditions.  Steve Layman and Larry Saunders are the class instructors. Topics: (1) The starry night sky; (2) Finding stuff in the night sky; (3) Meet at UVA’s McCormick Observatory for tour & observing with their 26” telescope; (4) Introduction to our solar system; (5) The stars and beyond; and (6) Meet at Ivy Creek Natural Area for observing session.  Telescopes will be provided and class members are encouraged to bring their own observing equipment if they would like assistance in how to use binoculars and telescopes.  Current class runs for 6 weeks from October 7, 2013 to November 11, 2013

Little Keswick School will attend a Group Night at McCormick Observatory on Friday, September 13, 2013 from 9 to 11 pm.  We are expecting about 8 children from 11 to 14 years old and two adults.