The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club, Inc
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Today's News for astronomers *continuous updates!*
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The 2008 Y.E.A. contest is in the books. The winners can be found here, along with their essays.
The AVAC was recently asked to supply telescopes for a Toyota TV add. Several members jumped at the chance, and one is actually in the commercial. All the scopes seen in the commercial belong to AVAC members. A longer version, with more of our members in it, will be on the Toyota website soon. You can see the short version on youtube.
Upcoming Events (Click on event for more information)
The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club, Inc. (AVAC) was founded in 1982, and incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in 1999, to bring the beauty of the night sky to the families of the Antelope Valley. The AVAC has put on presentations at local schools, state parks, and anywhere the sky is dark.
The AVAC is located in the Antelope Valley, which is located in north-eastern Los Angeles County. Our members come from all over the valley, and as far away as Pasadena, they range in experience from beginner to advanced.
The AVAC offers a friendly, learning environment. It is a member of the Astronomical League and offers their quarterly newsletter, discounts, and observing programs at no additional cost to members.
Dues are prorated each month on the basis of a Single membership costing $25 per year, a Family Membership at $30 per year, and a Junior membership at $15 per year. To apply, fill out an online application and either print and mail in application, or pay via PayPal.
2008 Youth Exploring Astronomy Essay Contest Winners
Grade |
Winner | School | Essay |
5th
|
Courtney Brown | Golden Poppy Elementary | Growing Up On A Space Station |
| Alison Malekian | Sundown Elementary | Looking Through A Telescope I See... | |
6th |
Lyiam Galo | Branch Elementary | Growing Up On A Space Station |
| Apeksha Singh | Esperanza Elementary | Looking Through A Telescope I See... | |
7th |
Ashley Diaz | Joe Walker Middle School | Through The Eyes of a Mars Rover |
| Aisha Rigert | Joshua Blossom Preparatory | Through The Eyes Of A Mars Rover | |
8th |
Brian Breckner | Hillview Middle School | Through The Eyes Of A Mars Rover |
| Briana Daniels | Cole Middle School | Through The Eyes Of A Mars Rover | |
9th |
Mark Gross | Highland High School | If I Had The Chance To Explore Mars |
| Katelyn Humphrey | Highland High School | If I Had The Chance To Explore Mars | |
10th |
Michael Smith | Grace Christian | If I Were The Pilot Of Space Ship Ten |
| Rebecca Wofford | Mojave High School | If I Had The Chance To Explore Mars | |
11th |
Monet Moseley | Quartz Hill High School | If I Had The Chance To Explore Mars |
| Joshua Sanchez | Abraham Lincoln School | If I Had The Chance To Explore Mars |
Monthly Meetings
The AVAC holds monthly meetings the second Friday of every month, except in December, at the S.A.G.E. Planetarium, 38060 20th Street East (located on the Northeast corner of East Avenue R and 20th East), in Palmdale CA, at 7:00 PM. The meetings include a monthly program about the fascinating night sky, as well as giving members and guests a chance to get together to talk about the stars or other topics of interest.
We hold monthly star parties, as weather permits, at various locations around the valley like Saddle Back Butte State Park in Lake Los Angeles and The Poppy Reserve in Lancaster. We also make group trips other dark sky sites around Southern California like Mt. Pinos and Red Rock Canyon.
The Desert Sky Observer, the monthly club newsletter, features the latest news and information about club activities. It contains a diagram of the lunar phases for the upcoming month and articles covering the latest discoveries from the world of astronomy!
Shirts and caps with the AVAC logo are now available from B's Stitchery and Design. For available styles, colors, prices and ordering information, please visit our clothing page.
Resources Available to Members Telescopes: 10 inch, 8 inch, and 6 inch Dobsonians, and various Accessories. Short Classes: Starting Out in Amateur Astronomy, How To Use a Telescope.
The AVAC is a member of the Astronomical League and sponsors several observing groups including, but not limited to, The Messier Group (Telescope and Binocular), The Universe Sampler Group, The Planetary Observers Group, and The Lunar Observers Group. Several of our members have received their Regular Certificate, having observer at least 70 items, and a few have received their Honorary Certificate by completing the entire list of 110. Take a look at the list and watch it grow, maybe we'll see your name there soon.
Once a year we present the Keith Lawson Award, named after one of the founding members and first President of the club, to one of our members. The award is in recognition of outstanding contribution to the AVAC and the world of Amateur Astronomy. If you know a club member that you think deserves the award, please submit a nomination. See who this years recipient is.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us. We'll be glad to answer anything we can.
Download the AVAC Constitution and By-laws, in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format here
Download the AVAC Operations Manual, in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format here
The Care and Feeding of Your New Telescope (Courtesy Tom Koonce)
The above files require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't already
have a copy you can download it for free at 
The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club is a proud Alliance Member of the Meade 4M Community
supported by Meade Telescope, makers of LX200R Astronomical Telescopes
Our Sponsors:
Al's Vacuum and Sewing: 904 West Lancaster Blvd. (661) 948-1521. Stop by and say "hey" to Matthew and Suzanne.
5348 Topanga Canyon Blvd
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Phone (818) 347-2270 / Fax ( 818) 992-4486
Or TOLL-FREE at (888) 427-8766
http://www.telescopes.net/
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