Antelope Valley Astronomy Club

Welcome to the Antelope Valley Astronomy Club

Local viewing conditions (Click for a detailed view)

Today's News for astronomers *continuous updates!*

2009 is the International Year of Astronomy .  Keep an eye on this site for events that the AVAC will be hosting throughout year.

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 provides programs for schools and other organizations on request. We have put on presentations at local schools, state parks, and anywhere the sky is dark, we also do daytime events. For more information on presentations, contact the Astronomy Dudes.

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.

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.

2009 Y.E.A. Contest Winners

5th Grade	6th Grade	7th Grade	8th Grade	9th Grade	10th Grade
Andrew Arellano Sacred Heart	Coleman Sacred Heart	Kyle Moore Sacred Heart	L.J. Barker Joe Walker	Philip Ngunen Highland	Dylan Alenander Highland
Emily Siy Sacred Heart	Perseus Tong Buena Vista	Anisha Singh Joe Walker	Charles Groth Cactus	Nicole Rahal Highland	Ivan Espino Highland

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