Club Articles

Astronomy Reading

Deep dives into topics ranging from equipment selection to the science of the cosmos.

Asteroids
A tour of the solar system's rocky inhabitants — origins, famous specimens, and what amateur astronomers can observe.
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Buying Your First Telescope
An honest guide to choosing your first scope — refractors, reflectors, SCTs, mounts, and what to avoid.
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The Colors of Stars
Why do stars come in different colors? A look at stellar temperature, spectral classification, and what colors tell us about a star's life.
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Insuring Your Equipment
Practical advice for protecting your telescope investment — what policies cover, riders, and tips for documenting your gear.
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The Milky Way
Our galaxy from the inside out — structure, size, and the best dark-sky spots to appreciate the Milky Way's full glory.
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Observing Double Stars
Double and multiple stars are perfect for any aperture. A guide to splitting pairs, measuring separation, and the best showpieces.
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Questions & Answers
Real questions from school outreach sessions — with thoughtful answers about our universe from the ground up.
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Satellites
Spotting the ISS, Starlink trains, and other satellites with the naked eye — plus tips on predicting passes.
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DSLR Astrophotography
A comprehensive PDF guide to capturing the night sky with a digital camera — settings, techniques, and processing basics.
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The Sun
Our nearest star up close — solar features, safe observation methods, sunspots, prominences, and the solar cycle.
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Summer Amateur Astronomy
Summer nights offer the richest starfields. A guide to the best summer objects, from the Summer Triangle to the Sagittarius Star Cloud.
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Telescope Tune-Ups
Mirror cleaning, collimation, mount adjustment — keeping your optics in stellar shape. Free tune-up nights at club meetings.
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Stars & Constellations

Constellation Guides

Explore the mythology, major stars, and deep-sky objects in these classic star patterns.

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The Big Dipper
Ursa Major's famous asterism — a northern sky landmark with a rich history and useful navigation tool.
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Canes Venatici
The Hunting Dogs — home to the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) and the remarkable globular cluster M3.
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Cetus — The Whale
A sprawling autumn constellation featuring Mira, one of the sky's most famous long-period variable stars.
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The Milky Way
Our home galaxy — where to find the richest starfields and how to observe them from dark-sky sites near Corvallis.
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Double Stars
Beautiful pairs like Albireo, Mizar & Alcor, and gamma Virginis — colorful and challenging targets for any scope.
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Club Presentations

Slide Shows & Talks

Presentations delivered at HVA meetings — some files are large (up to 20 MB). Right-click to save.

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An Introduction to Astronomy
A beginner-friendly overview of the universe — planets, stars, galaxies, and more.
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Using Binoculars to Observe
Why binoculars are often a better first instrument than a telescope, and how to use them.
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Nova & the Life of Stars
Stellar evolution from main sequence to white dwarf, nova, and supernova explosions.
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Facts About Our Solar System
Planets, moons, asteroids, and comets — a tour of our cosmic neighborhood.
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Cool Facts About Saturn
Rings, moons, storms, and the science of the solar system's most photogenic planet.
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Stellar Evolution
The complete lifecycle of stars — from stellar nursery to black hole or white dwarf.
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