The Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC) is a large regional amateur astronomy club centered in Northern Virginia with active members from all around the metropolitan Washington, DC area. Founded in 1979, total membership now exceeds 1,100. Our emphasis is on supporting active observation by our members, and active outreach to our communities on an individual and group basis. Our motto is “To observe, and help others observe”.

Our members range from people just starting to be curious about astronomy to highly experienced amateurs to professional educators and researchers. Their interests include armchair astronomy, visual observing and sketching; building telescopes, imaging systems, and control systems; solar, planetary, narrow band, deep sky, and astronomical landscape photography; robotic telescopes; learning from and teaching others; organizing events; and socializing with others of similar interests.

Our programs include

• Monthly meetings with speakers from the professional community and from our membership
• Providing dark sky sites for member observing, group and individual, around the area, and as far as WV
• Two major public events each year: Astronomy Day in the Spring and Star Gaze in the Fall
• The Almost Heaven Star Party in late summer at Spruce Knob, WV for members and other observers
• Periodic public observing events in conjunction with local parks
• Providing speakers and observing sessions for local civic and youth groups
• Participation in Astronomical League and Dark Sky International programs
• Sponsorship of special interest groups (SIGs) for astronomy imaging, astro travel, Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) and 3D printing.
• Operating an online lending library  and a loaner telescope (and related equipment)  program
• Maintaining an active online discussion group for members to share their accomplishments and progress as observers, announce news, ask questions, buy and sell, receive help and advice on observing and equipment, and coordinate informal group observing. For example, periodically we find ourselves explaining about weather balloons launched from Dulles airport and at the same time why the mid-Atlantic weather forecasts are not more accurate.
• Mentoring new members, especially in becoming familiar with new observing equipment
• Cooperating with George Mason University, Virginia State and County Parks, University of Maryland and the Analemma Society. NOVAC members interested in amateur telescope making are welcomed at the Chevy Chase Community Center ATM program.
• Giving awards at regional science fairs.

Monthly general meetings are held virtually with speakers both local and from around the world.  Members can optionally attend in person meetings, courtesy of the George Mason University/Fairfax astronomy department, when we host local speakers.  Meeting speaker presentations are recorded and available to the public on the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club YouTube  Channel.

Membership is open to anyone who shares our objectives and is willing to help carry them out.  For membership information, see our website. Membership is not available through this NSN site.

If you are looking for help with a speaker or observing event, contact our outreach coordinator

For other questions, submit them here.