About Us

About Us

VBAS was originally founded in 1954 as the Rocket City Astronomical Association, thanks to the efforts of a group of high school students interested in Astronomy lead by Sam Pruitt, along with the help and influence of Wernher von Braun.

By 1956, the organization had grown to include several members of the Von Braun Missile Team and they completed the observatory. Our facilities today include a second observatory, astronomical library, solar telescope, and planetarium.  Use the "Library", "Observatories", and "Planetarium" links in the top menu to explore our facilities.  For more information about our history click the "VBAS History" link in the General Menu to the left.

What We Do

VBAS is a non-profit volunteer organization of amateur and professional astronomers.  In addition to operating our planetarium and observatories located in Monte Sano State Park just east of Huntsville, Alabama, we also conduct side walk astronomy events in conjunction with several local community events such as "Concerts In The Park".

Member & Public Events

Members meet at our planetarium on the third Friday of each month, except for December, to discuss recent and upcoming astronomy events which usually includes a guest speaker and the public is welcome to attend!

We also have planetarium programs every Saturday night that the public is invited to and we enjoy viewing the evening skies afterwards when the weather permits.

Watch for details about upcoming Member & Public events on our "Home" page.