Kvaswv

09/13/2026

Want a quick way to check for dark clear skies in the Breezy Point Observatory area? A clear dark sky chart has been added to the KVAS website. Go to kvaswv.org and scroll down to the bottom left of the page and see the sky predictions.

What is it?

Created by the late Attilla Danko and maintained for now by his widow at CSCCharts, it's the astronomers forecast. It shows at a glance when, in the next 96 hours, we might expect clear and dark skies for one specific observing site. It's is specifically intended for amateur astronomers. The data comes from a forecast model developed by Allan Rahill of the Canadian Meteorological Center.

Read from left to right. Locate a column of blue blocks. That's when the sky will likely to be clear and dark. The darker the blue the better for observing. The clear sky chart predicts hourly cloud cover, atmospheric transparency and seeing. (Good "seeing" occurs when the air is steady enough to allow you to see fine detail on planets through a telescope.) That means you can plan whether to observe galaxies or planets or stay home and process image data.

Charts are available for many sites in the US and Canada. Check out:
https://www.cleardarksky.com/csk/

09/02/2026

You still have time to make plans to attend the 2026 Astronomy Weekend on Seprember 18-19 at Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, WV. The program includes presentations by experts in the various facets of astronomy, star parties, a raffle and a chance to meet others who love looking at cosmic wonders. The event is free and open to the public.

Here is the schedule of speakers:

https://kvaswv.org/astronomy-weekend-2026/

Join us, won’t you. Bring your telescope or binoculars. Don’t have any? That’s OK. We will let let you look through ours!

Hope to see you there!

Astronomy Weekend is sponsored by the Kanawha Valley Astronomical Society, Charleston, WV, in cooperation with Blackwater Falls State Park.

08/23/2026

Clear skies, great food and new and old friends made for a fun time last Friday night at the annual KVAS cookout at the Breezy Point observatories. If you want to learn about astronomy, telescopes and/or taking photographs of space stuff join us at KVAS. Our next event is Astronomy Weekend Sept. 18-19 at Blackwater Falls State Park. Admission is free. And our next regular meeting will be 7 pm Oct. 16 at Camp Virgil Tate followed by a star party.

08/21/2026

https://secure.theclaycenter.org/23056/23057

08/19/2026

Heads up, literally, next week on August 27-28 when the Earth’s shadow darkens the Moon during a near total eclipse. All times are EDT.

08/11/2026

08/09/2026

On August 12, 2026, the Astro Society is pleased to share a live broadcast of the total solar eclipse, produced by the Exploratorium from Villalibedo, Spain! This uninterrupted stream features live telescopic views of the eclipse exactly as seen through professional solar telescopes. There is no narration or soundtrack, allowing you to experience the event in its purest form. Watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nptJWYEvN-A

Broadcast begins: 10:30 AM Pacific (1:30 PM Eastern; 17:30 UTC)
Totality begins: 11:28 AM Pacific (2:28 PM Eastern; 18:28 UTC)

(This information is courtesy on the Night Sky Network)

08/01/2026

August is jammed packed full of activity this month. Look for more information from us on both eclipses.

07/26/2026

Looking for a star party near by this fall. Check this one out in Pennsylvania in October.

07/14/2026

The Kanawha Valley Astronomical Society will hold its monthly meeting at 7 pm Friday, July 17, at Camp Virgil Tate. All interested persons are welcome to attend. A star party will be held after the meeting, weather permitting, at the Breezy Point Observatory. Want to learn more about astronomy and telescopes? Let us be your guide! As more observing events are planned, details will be posted on Facebook.