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Welcome to VBAS!

The Von Braun Astronomical Society is a non-profit organization of amateur and professional astronomers. We are sharing our love of space with the community through our planetarium and observatories located in Monte Sano State Park just east of Huntsville, Alabama.

Donate to Help VBAS Improve Facilities!


Upcoming Shows

  • April 2024 Planetarium Shows

    All planetarium shows begin at 7:30pm.

    Admission opens at 7:00pm; $5/adult, $3/student, 6 and under free.

    Telescope viewing afterwards on clear nights.


    April 6 – The 2024 American Eclipse

    On April 8 the US will be treated to the awesome spectacle of a total solar eclipse. Come learn how and where to safely experience this special solar event.

    Presented by Michael Buford

    April 13 – The Magic Carpet

    We can use the star projector in the planetarium to pretend to fly anywhere on Earth – like a magic carpet! Gena Crook will demonstrate the motion of the stars across the sky at the equator, the north pole, and the southern hemisphere. We will also watch how the sun changes positions at these locations. You may be surprised if you haven’t actually been to the equator or the north pole in person! This program will put the star projector to work and allow us to see its unique educational capabilities.

    Presented by Gena Crook

    April 20 – Edwin Hubble: 100 years since resolving the Great Galaxy Debate

    In 1924 Edwin Hubble published an astonishing report—by finding a Cephid Variable star in the Andromeda Nebula, he found that it was an ‘Island Universe’ like our own Milky Way—the first proof that our galaxy was not alone in the Universe ! Come learn about that event and more to commemorate this centennial.

    Presented by Beth Bero

    April 27 – Hubble Space Telescope

    Now that we know who Edwin Hubble was, we will turn our attention to the amazing space telescope that bears his name. Like its namesake, for over 30 years the Hubble Space Telescope has helped reshape our understanding of the universe.

    Presented by Beth Bero

Our Facilities