Founded in 1937 at the US Naval Observatory by a group of professional and amateur astronomers, the National Capital Astronomers (NCA) is a volunteer-driven nonprofit aiming to ignite public interest in astronomy and space science. We're all about sharing the wonders of the universe with everyone!
While we marvel at the discovery of thousands of exoplanets, we recognize Earth's unique hospitality. This drives our mission to protect our planet's resources and life. After all, as Captain Kirk (a.k.a. William Shatner) discovered, space is a harsh place!
Join us for a cosmic journey and be part of our mission to explore, understand, and protect our universe!
NCA has regular monthly meetings September through June on the second Saturday of the month. For 2025-26, meetings will be held in-person at the University of Maryland Astronomical Observatory in College Park, Maryland (directions/map) AND online via Zoom (details below). Seating is limited, so we are encouraging folks to attend via Zoom.
Public transportation: Directions/maps to the UMD 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.)
The meetings for this year will be HYBRID (online via Zoom AND in-person), unless otherwise noted!
With permission of the speakers, most meetings will be recorded. Once available the audio and video will be linked.
National Capital Astronomers will be holding its 2025-2026 meetings online via Zoom and in-person. This year, the Zoom meetings have been set up so that there is no registration required. This is the direct Zoom link, it is the same for everybody for every meeting this year. If we have problems with Zoom bombing at a meeting, then the link will be canceled and a new one created that will require registration for subsequent meetings.
As usual, the Zoom room "doors" open at 7pm ET with the actual meeting starting on time at 7:30pm! While you do not need to sign in right at 7pm, please do not wait until 7:35pm!! And since we are not registering folks, it will be important that you have a recognizable name showing so that I can let you in from the virtual waiting room.
With the permission of the guestspeakers, we will be recording the meetings.
Join Zoom Meeting: NCA Monthly Zoom
These guidelines will be updated as needed.
Bryan Vandrovec, NCA
7:30 pm
Abstract: Join us for a captivating exploration of astrophotography-the art and science of preserving the night sky in stunning detail. This presentation will guide you through the techniques and tools that transform faint starlight into vivid portraits of galaxies, nebulae, and planets, revealing a universe far richer than what the eye alone can see.
We'll delve into the essentials of deep-sky imaging, from choosing the right camera and telescope to understanding the importance of a tracking mount that compensates for Earth's rotation during long exposures. Learn how telescope aperture and focal length influence your results, and why image stacking-combining many short exposures-is key to producing crisp, noise-free images. We'll also explore how filters help isolate specific wavelengths of light, allowing you to cut through light pollution and capture the subtle glow of emission nebulae. You'll discover how narrowband imaging can be used to create dramatic false-color compositions that are both scientifically meaningful and visually striking.
The session will also cover the importance of calibration frames-such as darks, flats, and biases-which correct for sensor imperfections and optical artifacts. We'll introduce you to the modern imaging workflow, where software and automation streamline tasks like focusing, polar alignment, target acquisition, and guiding, making astrophotography more accessible than ever. For those interested in planetary imaging, we'll contrast deep-sky techniques with high-speed capture methods that freeze atmospheric turbulence, using specialized optics and alignment tools to bring out fine planetary detail.
Whether you're aiming to photograph distant galaxies or the intricate bands of Jupiter, this presentation will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to elevate your astrophotography journey. Come discover how to turn your telescope into a cosmic camera-and bring the universe a little closer to home.
Bio: A native of Northern Virginia, Bryan Vandrovec blends a distinguished career in advanced technology with a lifelong passion for astronomy and astrophotography. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Cornell University, with a minor in Cognitive Studies, and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
Bryan's early career included an internship at NASA's Ames Research Center, where he contributed to telepresence technology for the Mars Pathfinder Mission. Since then, he has built a diverse portfolio in systems engineering and autonomous systems, co-founding a computer graphics startup and supporting major RDT&E initiatives and Programs of Record at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), including work on the P-8A Poseidon and MQ-4C Triton programs. He also served as the autonomy architecture lead for the Dynetics Human Landing System (HLS) proposal under NASA's Artemis program.
Currently, Bryan is a Chief Technologist for AI and Autonomous Systems at Booz Allen. He is an inventor on three U.S. patents, with additional work pending in the field of Cognitive AI. Outside of his professional endeavors, Bryan is an avid amateur astronomer and astrophotographer, capturing the night sky with both technical precision and artistic flair.
Weather-permitting, there will be observing through the telescopes after the meeting for members and guests.
The telescope making, maintenance, and modification workshop with Guy Brandenburg is held in the basement (wood shop) of the Chevy Chase Community Center which is located at the intersection of McKinley Street and Connecticut Avenue, NW, a few blocks inside the DC boundary, on the northeast corner of the intersection. The workshop is open on Tuesdays & Fridays, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. For information visit Guy's Website. To contact Guy, call 202-262-4274 or Email Guy!
Exploring the Sky is a joint program between the National Capital Astronomers and the National Park Service Rock Creek Park Nature Center and has been run since 1948 at this location, the field at the corner of Glover and Military Roads in the District. There is an adjacent parking lot. It is free and all are welcome who have an interest in observing the heavens. It's not an ideal dark sky location but we can still see solar system objects (even the occasional comet), open and globular clusters and maybe a fuzzy galaxy or two.
Questions? Call NCA at 202-262-4274 and leave a message.
| Date | Time | Things of interest |
| 05 Apr | 8:00pm | M45, Orion, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus |
| 03 May | 9:00pm | M44, Leo, Arcturus, M13, Moon, Mars, Jupiter |
| 07 Jun | 9:00pm | Leo, Bootes, Hercules, M13, Moon |
| 05 Jul | 9:00pm | Moon, Hercules, M13, Summer Triangle |
| 02 Aug | 8:30pm | Moon, Hercules, M13, Summer Triangle, M57 |
| 20 Sep | 8:00pm | Moon, Summer Triangle, Great Square of Pegasus, Saturn |
| 18 Oct | 7:30pm | Summer Triangle, Great Square of Pegasus, M31, Saturn |
| 15 Nov | 7:00pm | Venus, Summer Triangle, Pegasus, M31, Saturn, Uranus |