Find out what's happening soon!
What is the Deep Space Network?
Have you ever wondered how NASA talks to all of its spacecraft that are way out in space? They use the Deep Space Network! Do you know what that is or how it works? Our guest, Rémy Morgan, is a Network Analyst for the Deep Space Network and she tells us all about how they keep track of multiple spacecraft in our solar system and all of the data they send back. If you love space technology, you won’t want to miss this night.
Hillcrest Center for the Arts,
403 W Hillcrest Dr, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
THIS IS A NON-VCAS EVENT
This year, we will be under the stars for our conference!
• The Astronomical League is pleased to announce that ASTROCON 2025 will be held during the new moon June 25-28 2025, at Ruby’s Inn, near the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. Along with talks and workshops given during the day, nightly dark-sky observing will be offered at Rainbow Point.
• Bryce Canyon National Park features some of the darkest skies in the United States. Naturally, the National Park Service will hold a nightly public star gaze across the street from the Bryce Canyon Visitor’s Center for both park visitors and ASTROCON attendees. Ruby’s Inn is family-oriented with many options for fun and adventures. The area is full of possibilities.
• Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill will host the Star-B-Que Friday from Noon to 2:00 PM and the Gala Banquet Saturday night from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A room and/or RV Park/ tent camping site reservation link will be provided via email after registration to the conference has been confirmed. Lodging is available at a reduced rate and will fill up fast.
• Speakers and Workshops will utilize the lecture hall at Ruby’s Inn and Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill.
• Reserved rooms with the ASTROCON rates are available the nights of June 24th through the 28th. This also includes the RV Park and Campground. If you want to come earlier or stay later, you will be charged the normal room rate for those extra nights.
• Enjoy a vacation extravaganza to other National Parks and National Monuments within a day's drive.
• Many activities available: hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, guided ATV tours, and scenic flights.
• Featured Workshops:
Astrophotography / Digital Imaging - Novice
Astrophotography / Digital Imaging - Advanced
Observing: Personal Program / Journal
Observing: Tips & Ideas / Eyepieces / Filters
Observing: Charts / Books / Observing Lists
Sketching
MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT www.astrocon2025.org
See what we've been up to lately.
"WEATHER PERMITTING"
Messier Marathon on Saturday evening March 29th to last the entire night into Sunday morning March 30th. The marathon will be held at the Frazier Mountain Trailhead 20W03 parking lot located just approx. 1/4 mile above the Chuchupate Ranger Station on Frazier Mountain Rd. This event is open to all VCAS members, family, friends, and the general public. Please plan to bring "Very Warm Jacket / Clothing as the nighttime temperatures could get into the low 30's. It is possible to see even lower temps through the night.
The Messier Marathon rules state that the participant is to use Manual / or Old School Observation, "No GOTO / Computer Aided Observations" We encourage all participants to try your best to follow the rules of the Marathon. No one will be excluded, all are welcome to participate even with GOTO telescopes. You must have your own telescope.
Please email vcas.president1@gmail.com if you plan to attend the Messier Marathon. VCAS Members that participate will receive a certificate from the Astronomical League for your participation. Also we want to make sure we have enough Object Order Finding lists to hand out.
The Frazier Mountain Trailhead (elev. 5400 ft.) is located on the west side of Frazier Mountain Road (8N04) approximately 3/4 mile south of Lockwood Valley Road and Forest Service Chuchupate Ranger Station. There is a large paved parking lot with pull-through stalls for vehicles with trailers or motor homes, and a vault toilet at the trailhead.
Current status of the Frazier Mountain Trailhead is listed as closed, please ignore as the parking lot is never closed (no gate), only the OHV Trailhead is closed for the winter.
A Forest Pass is not required to park in this parking location.
Current weather statistics are showing clear skies with a low of about 38 to 40 degrees through the night.
Please keep an eye on your emails, as we will update a "Go" or "No Go" for this event on Friday March 28 evening, and /or Saturday March 29th morning.
Join VCAS for a presentation from Sarah Elizabeth McCandless. She is a navigation engineer for NASA JPL. McCandless’ job involves tracking the location and predicting the future trajectory of spacecraft, including the Mars Perseverance rover, Artemis I, Psyche, and Europa Clipper.
Guest speaker Dr. Colleen Marrese-Reading, Senior Engineer NASA JPL
Topic: Micro Electric Propulsion
Ventura County Astronomical Society meeting
Come learn what we have planned for the coming year.
Topic tonight is: The winter sky and what to look for, What is up in the Sky Tonight.
| Dec. 7th, 2024 | VCAS Annual Banquet |
| Nov. 8th, 2024 | VCAS Elections and General Meeting |
| Oct. 19th, 2024 | Observe the Moon Star Party |
| Sep. 28th, 2024 | Star Party @ the Charles Temple Observatory, Moorpark College |
| Aug. 31st, 2024 | Star Party at Chuchupate |
| Jul. 27th, 2024 | VCAS Open House and Telescope Clinic Star Party @ Charles Temple Observatory Moorpark College |
| Jun. 28th, 2024 | VCAS General Meeting: Flying with Ingenuity - From Concept to 72 Flights |
| May. 24th, 2024 | VCAS General Meeting with talk on "How to Choose a Telescope" |
| Apr. 26th, 2024 | VCAS General Meeting - Review of Total Solar Eclipse |
| Mar. 29th, 2024 | VCAS General Meeting |
| Feb. 23rd, 2024 | Tim Thompson - The History of Mount Wilson: Past, Present, and Future |
| Jan. 19th, 2024 | Meeting on January 19, 2024 |
| Dec. 10th, 2023 | Annual Member Only Banquet (with guest speaker Joel Harris) |
| Nov. 18th, 2023 | Meeting on November 18, 2023 |
| Jun. 10th, 2023 | June 10th 2023 STAR PARTY |
| May. 20th, 2023 | FIRST STAR PARTY of the YEAR! |