Astronomy Fundamentals

Our monthly Astronomy Fundamentals presentations are given by members, and are focused on giving introductory information on specific topics of interest to amateurs.

Next Program

Making the Most of your Membership

Presenter: Drew Carhart

When: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 · 7:30–9:00 pm
Where: Grace United Methodist Church: Room 254

Over the 50+ years of its existence, our club has developed a wide number of features geared to its main purpose: To create an environment that encourages everyone to enjoy the science of astronomy, the wonderful pastime of stargazing, and the pleasures of getting better connected to our universe. Indeed, the NAA has repeatedly been noted as being one of…

Event Details

Coming Up

Since 2000

Our Fundamentals Programs

Our History

1999

Our club formed an Educational Services Committee to study how the NAA might facilitate having members who knew more about some particular aspects of astronomy share their knowledge with members who wanted to learn. Our Astronomy Fundamentals program series was the resulting product.

2000

February 2000 was the debut month for NAA’s Fundamentals Program that is presented on the third Tuesday of every month. The first program was titled “Getting Oriented to the Night Sky.”

2009

At our July Astronomy Fundamentals program, member John Abrahamian explained the process (and pleasures) of grinding one’s own telescope mirror, and making a ‘scope to put it in. At the December regular meeting, the membership approved amendments to the club constitution which create the new appointed board position of “Fundamentals program coordinator”, which “solidifies” our monthly Astronomy Fundamentals Program as a permanent feature for the NAA.

2017

Our July “Fundamentals for Families: The Solar System” event was a huge success: about 100 people (45 kids) attended. It has been an annual tradition for NAA to hold a family night during our Summer Fundamentals Programs.

2020

Fundamentals programs moved to live online streaming, including the April 21st live Fundamentals tour of the Astronomy Education Center.

Past Programs

All Recorded Programs

We are looking for a volunteer to continue recording our programs. If you can help, please contact us.

2026

9 Programs · 1 Recording

September The New Milky Way Jim Hopkins
August Ask the experts
July NINA, SeeStar and Beyond! Steve Sagerian
June Family Night
May Caring for Your Equipment
April Ask the experts
March Why I Like My Telescope Ron Ziss, Ed Armstrong, and Andy Salata
February A Discussion on Mounts Ed Armstrong Watch A Discussion on Mounts (YouTube)
January Introducing the Seestar Smart Telescopes Mark Kipperman and Bill Pardue

2025

12 Programs · 4 Recordings

December Core Concepts About Telescopes Drew Carhart
November My Approach to Getting Started With Astrophotography Brian Leshin
October The Interstellar Medium and Star Formation Jim Hopkins
September A Few Tips For Preparing for an Observing Session Andy Salata Watch A Few Tips For Preparing for an Observing Session (YouTube)
August Family Night NAA members
July What Possessed You to Build Your Own Telescope Chris Almanza
June Family Night NAA members
May How Far Can You See? Ron Ziss Watch How Far Can You See? (YouTube)
April A Look at the History of Alvan Clark Telescopes Ed Armstrong Watch A Look at the History of Alvan Clark Telescopes (YouTube)
March What We Can Learn From Impact Craters Jim Hopkins
February The Last Trillionth of the Journey Drew Carhart Watch The Last Trillionth of the Journey (YouTube)
January Exploring the Winter Sky – Going Beyond the Usual Suspects Rick Gering

2024

12 Programs · 4 Recordings

December Sparkling Winter Star Clusters Ron Ziss Watch Sparkling Winter Star Clusters (YouTube)
November Choosing a Telescope – Things to Consider Ron Ziss Watch Choosing a Telescope – Things to Consider (YouTube)
October Visual Journey to the Planets Ron Ziss Watch Visual Journey to the Planets (YouTube)
September Finding Good Targets in Twilight Rick Gering
August The Astronomer and the Seven Dwarfs Jim Hopkins
July Family Fun Night
June Yes You Can Get There From Here: Finding Your Targets by Star-Hopping Ron Ziss
May What We're Here For Drew Carhart
April Comets: Past, Present, and Future Ron Ziss
March Observing Off the Beaten Track Rick Gering Watch Observing Off the Beaten Track (YouTube)
February Building an All Sky Camera: Introduction and Overview Steve Sagerian
January The Coming Total Eclipse Rick Gering

2023

12 Programs · 4 Recordings

December Eyepieces and Filters Ron Ziss
November Findings from the James Webb Space Telescope's First Year Jim Sweitzer
October Fall Constellations Jim Hopkins
September Basic Astrophotography Chris Almanza
August October's Annular Eclipse
July Family Friendly Fundamentals, part 2
June Family Night
May Observing Galaxies Ron Ziss Watch Observing Galaxies (YouTube)
April Preparing for and Attending the Nebraska Star Party Jim Hopkins
March Great-Grandpa's Astronomy Drew Carhart Watch Great-Grandpa's Astronomy (YouTube)
February "It's About Time" Larry Jahn Watch "It's About Time" (YouTube)
January A Brief History of Chinese Astronomy Chris Almanza Watch A Brief History of Chinese Astronomy (YouTube)

2022

12 Programs · 7 Recordings

December Stellarium Steve Sagerian Watch Stellarium (YouTube)
November Mars Jim Sweitzer Watch Mars (YouTube)
October Planetarium Presentation Stephanie Rybka
September Autumn Observing Highlights Rick Gering
August NAA's newest observatory and what it can do Drew Carhart Watch NAA's newest observatory and what it can do (YouTube)
July Planning Your Observation Sessions with Atmospheric Software Jim Hopkins
June Members Only caravan to site RR
May Telescope mounts Ed Armstrong
April How Far the Stars? Larry Jahn Watch How Far the Stars? (YouTube)
March RASC Handbook Steve Segarian Watch RASC Handbook (YouTube)
February Introduction to the eVscope Jim Sweitzer Watch Introduction to the eVscope (YouTube)
January Allsky cameras Linda Thomas-Fowler Watch Allsky cameras (YouTube)

2021

12 Programs · 12 Recordings

December The Lights of Earth's Atmosphere Rick Gering Watch The Lights of Earth's Atmosphere (YouTube)
November The Nature of Satcons and the Risks they Pose Charles Mudd Watch The Nature of Satcons and the Risks they Pose (YouTube)
October Planetary Imaging using PIPP, Autostakkert, and Registax Ron Masters Watch Planetary Imaging using PIPP, Autostakkert, and Registax (YouTube)
September What to consider when building a remote observatory Eric Claeys Watch What to consider when building a remote observatory (YouTube)
August An Introduction to Lunar Observing. Rick Gering Watch An Introduction to Lunar Observing. (YouTube)
July Family Friendly – Answering kids' questions Watch Family Friendly – Answering kids' questions (YouTube)
June Astrophotography – simplified pre and post processing Chris Almanza Watch Astrophotography – simplified pre and post processing (YouTube)
May Dark Site Protocols and Etiquette Rick Gering Watch Dark Site Protocols and Etiquette (YouTube)
April Celestial Navigation Vincent Tiseo Watch Celestial Navigation (YouTube)
March Basic Astrophotography Andrew Salata Watch Basic Astrophotography (YouTube)
February Messier Marathon – What is it, How to do one? Steve Segarian Watch Messier Marathon – What is it, How to do one? (YouTube)
January Setting up a new telescope Drew Carhart and Jim Erwin Watch Setting up a new telescope (YouTube)

2020

11 Programs · 8 Recordings

December Astrophotography 101 Chris Almanza Watch Astrophotography 101 (YouTube)
November Observing Asteroids Rick Gering Watch Observing Asteroids (YouTube)
October Choosing your first telescope Drew Carhart Watch Choosing your first telescope (YouTube)
September Filters for Visual Observing Drew Carhart Watch Filters for Visual Observing (YouTube)
August Family Friendly Night — Star Stories Drew Carhart & Adrienne Stroup Watch Family Friendly Night — Star Stories (YouTube)
July Comets! Rick Gering Watch Comets! (YouTube)
June Family Friendly Night
May Asterisms Rick Gering Watch Asterisms (YouTube)
April Virtual tour of our observatories Drew Carhart, NAA Watch Virtual tour of our observatories (YouTube)
February Solar Observing Rick Gering
January An Astronomer and the Seven Dwarfs Jim Hopkins

2019

10 Programs

December Cleaning optics and mirrors Drew Carhart
November How to make your own dew heater Steve Segarian
October Eyepieces John Abrahamian
September Telescope Mounts Ed Armstrong
August Hands-on Help with your Astronomy!
May Astronomy Fundamentals
April Beginning Astrophotography Eric Claeys, NAA
March Observing Our Solar System Rick Gering, NAA
February Tackling a Messier Marathon Steve Sagarian, NAA
January Sketching Astronomical Objects Ron Ziss, NAA

2018

12 Programs

December An Introduction to Refracting Telescopes Rick Gering, NAA
November Observing the "Deep Sky" Ron Ziss, NAA
October Our October Fundamentals program will be announced soon!
September Observing Session Prep Rick Gering, NAA
August Hands-on help with your stargazing equipment! Members of the NAA
July Summer Family Night #2
June Summer Family Night #1 Members of the NAA
May Observing The Planets Rick Gering, NAA
April Weather forecasting for amateur astronomers Drew Carhart, NAA
March Constellations & Sights of the Spring Skies Jim Hopkins, NAA
February Accessories for Stargazers NAA Members
January Beginners' Guide to Telescope Mounts Rick Gering, NAA

2017

12 Programs

December Selecting Telescope Eyepieces Martin King, NAA
November Choosing & Using Refracting Telescopes Micheal Regan, NAA
October Choosing & Using Reflector Telescopes Mark Kipperman
September Recapping the Total Solar Eclipse
August Solar Eclipse Observing Rick Gering, NAA
July Summer Family Program #2: The Interactive Solar System NAA members
June Astronomy Basics: Our Family Night Introduces the Constellations Drew Carhart (club Internet Services Officer)
May Telescope Workshop this month
April Observing in Darker Skies: Visiting our dark sites Rick Gering (club public outreach officer)
March Observing the Galaxies of Spring Jim Erwin (club vice-president)
February Observing Double Stars Tyler Hunt (club registrar)
January I got this telescope for Christmas. How do I find things? Drew Carhart (past-president; Internet services officer)

2016

12 Programs

December Astrophotography Basics Eric Claeys (media relations officer)
November Why are there seasons? Stephanie Rybka (Planetarium Director)
October Planetarium Software: The Basics Experienced club members
September Binocular Basics John Abrahamian and Tom Mesich (NAA members)
August Why This Telescope? Experienced club members
July Astronomy Fundamentals: Mirror Cleaning Drew Carhart (member)
June Astronomy Fundamentals: Star Parties Panel incl. Eric Claeys, Jim Hopkins, and Gordon Schaefering
May how to observe a total eclipse without wishing you had it to do over Rick Gering (club public outreach officer)
April Look at the Moon! Micheal Regan (club secretary)
March Swap Meet
February The Story of the AEC: A Video Tour of our Astronomy Education Center Jim Erwin (club vice president), with footage by Ken Cotter and Eric Claeys
January Collimation Workshop: Bring your scope! Drew Carhart

2015

12 Programs

December Our Top Tips List Panel of experienced observers led by Drew Carhart
November The Stars of the Southern Hemisphere Stephanie Rybka (astronomy teacher)
October The Fundamentals of Go-To Jim Erwin (club vice-president)
September Autumn Constellations Jim Hopkins (club president)
August Hands-on Telescope Clinic and Advice on Accessories
July How We Do Public Outreach Jim Erwin (club vice-president)
June Telescope Mounts: What They Do And How To Make Them Do It Rick Gering
May What are Deep Sky Objects and How Do I Find Them? Jim Hopkins
April Eyepieces: Selection and the Trade-Offs in Choosing the Right Ones for Your Telescope Martin King
March Refractors: Buying and Using Them Micheal Regan
February Reflectors: Buying and Using Advice Mark Kipperman
January Hands-on Telescope Clinic

2014

10 Programs

December common astronomy misconceptions Stephanie Rybka (astronomy teacher)
November Do-It-Yourself Weather Forecasting Drew Carhart (club president)
October The Things We Carry Ashoo Dhingra
September Autumn Constellations Jim Hopkins (club vice-president)
August Q & A With Our experts Jim Hopkins; Martin Hrdlicka; Martin King; John Abrahamian; Drew Carhart
July Astro-Tourism: A Slide Show Drew Carhart; Jim Hopkins; Ed Armstrong
June Enhancing Astronomy Outreach via Low-Cost Methods Tim Nunes (member)
May Spring Constellations Jim Hopkins (club vice president)
April Daytime Star Observing! Rick Gering (NAA member)
March An Amateur's View of the Pros Drew Carhart (club president)