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National Capital Astronomers

About NCA

NCA logoServing science and society since 1937. The National Capital Astronomers (NCA) is a non-profit, membership supported, volunteer run, public service corporation dedicated to advancing space technology, astronomy, and related sciences through information, participation, and inspiration, via research, lectures and presentations, publications, expeditions, tours, public interpretation, and education. NCA is the astronomy affiliate of the Washington Academy of Sciences. We are also members of the Astronomical League, in fact NCA members helped form the Astronomical League a long time ago.

NCA has for many years published a monthly newsletter called Star Dust that is available for members. Besides announcement of coming NCA meetings and a calendar of monthly events Star Dust contains reviews of past meeting and articles on current astronomical events.

NCA is a very unusual astronomy organization. All are welcome to join. Everyone who looks up to the sky with wonder is an astronomer and welcomed by NCA. You do not have to own a telescope, but if you do own one that is fine, too. You do not have to be deeply knowledgeable in astronomy , but if you are knowledgeable in astronomy that is fine, too. You do not have to have a degree, but if you do that is fine, too. WE ARE THE MOST DIVERSE local ASTRONOMY CLUB anywhere. Come to our meetings and you will find this out. WE REALLY MEAN THIS!

Special National Mall Star Party Oppertunity Astronomy Night with Music

On Thursday, July 15, 2010 from 5-11PM, Donald A. Lubowich [Donald.A.Lubowich@hofstra.edu]
Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2010 6:55 PM
To: Wayne H. Warren Jr.; Williams, Harold; 'Jay H. Miller'
Subject: July 15 Music (The Marine Band is performing at the Sylvan Theater) and astronomy

Hi all,

I have made the necessary arrangements for he July 15 Astronomy Night on the Mall  from 6 - 11 pm (set up at 5). I am thinking of having  a rain date on July 16. I have material for a cloudy night event.
It will be on the Washington Monument grounds, near the concession stand  NE of the monument.
It is in the land bounded by  14th and 15 th streets and between Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive.
We can drive near the concession staand to unload but we will then need to move the car and park it. I do't kn ow what the parking is but I thought one can park after 6 pm.

We can have up to 15 people with as many scopes as we need.
I will be able to secure the video  screen but I can't use stakes. I will use sandbags to secure the posters and banners.

How many telescopes and people can you bring?

If necessay, the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club has offered to help.

I have posters, banners, video equipment, a generator.
If you are bring a telescope like Harold Williams is who will bring a 3 1/2 inch Questar and a full apeture Solar filter and a 10 Inch Meade LS200-GPS-SMT with a Solar filter, please e-mail Donald Lubowich and tell him what you are bringing. August 2010 Sky and Telescope page 86 Focal Point by Donald Lubowich, "Bringing Telescopes to the People: Music and Astronomy Under the Stars reaches tens of thousands of concertgoers,"  page 86, just out.  Take a look and see (3 pictures) what you are joining if you come and you should. Donald Lubowich Music and Astronomy Under the Stars. 

Our Meetings

Monthly Meetings with Educational Presentations are Free and Open to the Public

NCA has regular monthly meetings September through June on the second Saturday of the month.

Public transportation: Directions/maps to the UM Observatory
Inclement weather: In case of severe weather (tornado/snow/impassable roads), a notice will be placed on the Observatory Website on the day of the meeting. (Be sure to refresh/reload the page to make sure you are seeing an updated page.)

Meeting Schedule for 2009 - 2010

Most meetings will be held at the University of Maryland Astronomical Observatory in College Park, Maryland.

Next Meeting Date: Saturday, May 08, 2010

7:30 pm at the University of Maryland Observatory on Metzerott Road.

Simulations of Black Hole Mergers, Accretion Disks, Bubbles, and Jets

Speaker: Dr. Sean O'Neill, UM

Abstract: Computer modeling gives astrophysicists the chance to conduct experiments without having to leave the comforts of their home planet. One way in which numerical simulations have proven especially useful is in the treatment of equations, such as those that govern the behavior of magnetized plasmas, for which general, analytic solutions are unavailable. I will discuss several applications of this approach to the modeling of astrophysical fluid flows driven by black hole gravity. These systems can feature inflows in the form of rotating accretion disks as well as outflowing jets and jet-driven structures. I will also describe the essential step of comparing the results of these simulations to astronomical observations taken across a wide range of wavelengths.

Bio: Sean O'Neill has been a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Maryland since 2007. His work focuses on analytic and numerical modeling of astrophysical fluid flows that are ultimately powered by black hole gravity. He has also devoted considerable efforts to the art and science of data visualization.
Prior to moving to Maryland, he received his bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Chicago in 2000, followed by his doctorate in astrophysics from the University of Minnesota in 2007. In his spare time, Dr. O'Neill enjoys watching the films of Alfred Hitchcock and learning about the history of science.

Weather-permitting, there will be observing through the telescopes after the meeting for members and guests.


Join Us for Dinner Before the Meeting

Join our special guest and members for dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the Garden Restaurant in the Inn and Conference Center University of Maryland University College at University Blvd. and Campus Dr. The restaurant is in the West Wing Lobby Level; they now have new inexpensive menu items just for us.
Dining Establishments Near the UMCP Observatory

Telescope-Making and Mirror-Grinding

Telescope-making and mirror-making classes with Guy Brandenburg at the Chevy Chase Community Center, at the intersection of  McKinley Street and Connecticut Avenue, NW, a few blocks inside the DC  boundary, on the northeast corner of the intersection, in the basement  (wood shop), on Fridays, from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. For information visit Guy's Website  To contact Guy, use this phone #: 202-262-4274 or Email Guy.

Come See the Stars at Exploring the Sky 2010!

Exploring the Sky is an informal program that for over sixty years has offered monthly opportunities for anyone in the Washington area to see the stars and planets through telescopes from a location within the District of Columbia.
Sessions are held in Rock Creek Park once each month on a Saturday night from April through November, starting shortly after sunset. We meet in the field just south of the intersection of Military and Glover Roads NW, near the Nature Center. A parking lot is located next to the field.
Beginners (including children) and experienced stargazers are all welcome-and it's free!
Questions? Call the Nature center at (202) 895-6070 or check: Exploring the Sky @ Rock Creek. Download the flier!

Date Time Targets of Interest
April 17 8:30PM Saturn and Leo high; Mars in the Beehive
May 15 9:00PM Young Moon; Saturn's rings almost edge-on
June 19 9:00PM Solstice 6/21; Summer Triangle, Mars in Leo
July 10 9:00PM Saturn, Mars, Venus, Regulus in a line
August 14 8:30PM Perseid meteors (maybe); Andromeda rising
September 4 8:00PM Jupiter and Uranus in conjunction
October 16 7:30PM Moon past first quarterl Pleiades rising
November 6 7:00PM New moon; winter constellations appear
Exploring the Sky is a presentation of the National Park Service and National Capital Astronomers.

Star Parties

For NCA information by E-mail or phone

NCA Documents

NCA constitution and by-laws current as of August 28, 2005 they need some changes so we can continue to be a healthy organization.
NCA constitution and by-laws revision as of October 25, 2005 proposal.

Observing Resources

Navigation Star Chart
Northern Hemisphere Star Alignment Chart
Southern Hemisphere Star Alignment Chart
Astronomical League Observing Clubs, you might use the above alignment charts if you have a GoTo telescope to accomplish some observing.

Site Host

uaqa: understanding articulation quality assurance, home of the National Capital Astronomers, Inc web page. Check out uaqa's web publishing services and the other people and organizations using uaqa.com. uaqa also hosts Astrolabes.org and Mcstaffunion.org.

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Updated by Harold Williams on June 23, 2010