' catawbasky.org - The Catawba Valley Astronomy Club










Download a Membership Application and Mail It In






























Your CVAC Officers for 2026:

President - Tim Slay
Vice-president - Ron Horne
Secretary - Gary Addington
Treasurer - Jeff Whisenant
Director - Barbara Barrier
Director - Bob Hunt
Programs - Joe Heafner
LMO Presentations - Jeff Whisenant
Communications - Jeff Whisenant
Science / Unistellar - Joe Heafner and Ron Horne
Observing / Origin - Tim Slay
Seestars - Anderson Lineberger, David Brehm, John O'Neal
NASA Night Sky - John O'Neal
Facebook - David Henry

Contact Us!


The Lucile Miller Observatory Clear Sky Chart

LMO Clear Sky Chart - All N.C. Clear Sky Charts

Thursday, September 10, 2026
7:30pm until 9:00pm

Join us for dinner at 6 PM at Mi Casa Mexican on S. Main Ave. in maiden.John ONeal will present the program.


Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden
Map To Dining at Mi Casa Mexican in Old Scotties Location in Maiden

  • Friday, Sep 18, 2026 - Public Observing at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Free public observing at the observatory and international observe the Moon night from 7:00pm until 11:00pm Possible appearance by a very large Telescope!
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Saturday, Sep 26, 2026 - Offsite Group Presentation

    Hold for private gaze at Murrays Mill for scouts and staff weather permitting from 7:00pm until 9:00pm


  • Wednesday, Sep 30, 2026 - Group Scheduled at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Maiden Middle School, 4 class periods visit to LMO. Scientific Revolution and possible solar observing from 8:00am until 1:30pm
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Thursday, Oct 1, 2026 - Group Scheduled at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Maiden Middle School, 4 class periods visit to LMO. Scientific Revolution and possible solar observing - second group from 8:00am until 1:30pm
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Friday, Oct 2, 2026 - Public Observing at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Free public observing at Lucile Miller Observatory from 7:00pm until 11:00pm Free! Rain or shine. No reservations needed. Please arrive before 10 PM. Everyone welcome!
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Tuesday, Oct 6, 2026 - Radio Show

    Listen to CVAC on First Talk with Hal Row on WHKY from 7:45am until 8:00am


  • Thursday, Oct 8, 2026 - CVAC Meeting at Miller Observatory

    Monthly CVAC Meeting at Lucile Miller Observatory from 7:30pm until 9:00pm
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Friday, Oct 16, 2026 - Public Observing at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Free public observing at Lucile Miller Observatory from 7:00pm until 10:00pm Free! Rain or shine. No reservations needed. Please arrive before 9 PM. Everyone welcome!
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Saturday, Oct 17, 2026 - Local Astronomy Event

    Lucile Miller Observatory and Catawba Valley Astronomy Club 50th Anniversary Celebration!

    from 6:00pm until 10:00pm Lots of detail, details and information to be posted shortly
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026 - Radio Show

    Listen to CVAC on First Talk with Hal Row on WHKY from 7:45am until 8:00am


  • Friday, Nov 6, 2026 - Public Observing at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Free public observing at Lucile Miller Observatory from 7:00pm until 10:00pm Free! Rain or shine. No reservations needed. Please arrive before 10 PM. Everyone welcome!
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Saturday, Nov 7, 2026 - Astronomy Day at Barnes and Noble

    TENTATIVE, AGAIN- National fall Astronomy day at Barnes & Noble in Hickory from 3:00pm until 10:00pm Displays meteorites, solar viewing moon viewing and lots more
Map To Barnes and Noble Booksellers Hickory
Map To Dining at Jasons Deli Hickory

  • Thursday, Nov 12, 2026 - CVAC Meeting at Miller Observatory

    Monthly CVAC Meeting at Lucile Miller Observatory from 7:30pm until 9:00pm
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Friday, Nov 13, 2026 - Group Scheduled at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Hold date for Trillium group visit to Miller Observatory from 6:00pm until 9:00pm
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Saturday, Nov 14, 2026 - Local Astronomy Event

    Solar observing stem event at newton depot from 10:30am until 4:00pm Over 1000 people attended this event last year.


  • Friday, Nov 20, 2026 - Public Observing at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Free public observing at Lucile Miller Observatory from 7:00pm until 10:00pm Free! Rain or shine. No reservations needed. Please arrive before 9 PM. Everyone welcome!
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Tuesday, Dec 1, 2026 - Radio Show

    Listen to CVAC on First Talk with Hal Row on WHKY from 7:45am until 8:00am


  • Friday, Dec 4, 2026 - Public Observing at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Free public observing at Lucile Miller Observatory from 7:00pm until 10:00pm Free! Rain or shine. No reservations needed. Please arrive before 9 PM. Everyone welcome!
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Thursday, Dec 10, 2026 - CVAC Meeting at Catawba Science Center

    Annual CVAC Christmas Dinner at Science Center from 7:00pm until 9:00pm Note the earlier start time
Map To Catawba Science Center, Hickory, Duane
Map To Dining at Catawba Science Center Special Events Room

  • Friday, Dec 18, 2026 - Public Observing at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Free public observing at Lucile Miller Observatory from 7:00pm until 10:00pm Free! Rain or shine. No reservations needed. Please arrive before 9 PM. Everyone welcome!
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Friday, Jan 1, 2027 - Public Observing at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Free public observing at Lucile Miller Observatory from 7:00pm until 10:00pm Free! Rain or shine. No reservations needed. Please arrive before 9 PM. Everyone welcome!
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Friday, Jan 15, 2027 - Public Observing at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Free public observing at Lucile Miller Observatory from 7:00pm until 10:00pm Free! Rain or shine. No reservations needed. Please arrive before 9 PM. Everyone welcome!
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Saturday, Jan 23, 2027 - BoBfest! The Regional Gathering of Amateur Astronomers

    from 8:30am until 5:00pm
Map To Catawba Science Center, Hickory, Tracy
Map To Dining at Catawba Science Center Special Events Room

  • Saturday, Jan 23, 2027 - BoBfest! The Regional Gathering of Amateur Astronomers

    from 8:30am until 5:00pm
Map To Catawba Science Center, Hickory, Tracy
Map To Dining at Catawba Science Center Special Events Room

  • Friday, Feb 5, 2027 - Public Observing at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Free public observing at Lucile Miller Observatory from 7:00pm until 10:00pm Free! Rain or shine. No reservations needed. Please arrive before 9 PM. Everyone welcome!
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Friday, Feb 19, 2027 - Public Observing at Lucile Miller Observatory

    Free public observing at Lucile Miller Observatory from 7:00pm until 10:00pm Free! Rain or shine. No reservations needed. Please arrive before 9 PM. Everyone welcome!
Map To Lucile Miller Observatory Maiden

  • Sunday, Mar 28, 2027 - Club Members and Observatory Not Available Today

    Easter


  • Saturday, Apr 10, 2027 - Local Astronomy Event

    TENTATIVE N C statewide star party DETAILS AND DATE TO BE DETERMINED from 7:00pm until 10:00pm


  • Saturday, Apr 10, 2027 - Astronomy Day at Barnes and Noble

    TENTATIVE! National Astronomy Day at Barnes and Noble Hickory. Telescopes, meteorite display, handouts, and much more! FREE! from 3:00pm until 10:00pm
Map To Barnes and Noble Booksellers Hickory
Map To Dining at Jasons Deli Hickory

  • Tuesday, Apr 13, 2027 - Local Astronomy Event

    First Quarter Moon from TBD until TBD


  • Saturday, Apr 17, 2027 - Astronomy Day at Barnes and Noble

    TENTATIVE! National Astronomy Day at Barnes and Noble Hickory. Telescopes, meteorite display, handouts, and much more! FREE! from 3:00pm until 10:00pm
Map To Barnes and Noble Booksellers Hickory
Map To Dining at Jasons Deli Hickory

  • Saturday, Apr 17, 2027 - Local Astronomy Event

    TENTATIVE N C statewide star party DETAILS AND DATE TO BE DETERMINED from 7:00pm until 10:00pm



BoBfest Page



All Seasonal Events are Tentative at this time!

Observing at Lake James State Park Paddys Creek Area. Events are scheduled usually in the warmer months. Events are free. Please visit the Lake James State Park Website to register.

Observing at Fonta Flora Brewery Whippoorwill Farms on NC 126 above Paddys Creek. Enjoy the great night sky with your entire family! Good beverages and food available.



Astronomy Day at Barnes and Noble each April and October around first quarter Moon from 3 to 11 p.m.