The Vega Sky Center - An Amateur Astronomy Web Hub (Founded in August, 1970)

Hello Fellow Stargazers, and Welcome to the Astronomical WebHub of the Vega Sky Center. Now entering its 10th year in existence on the web! We are amateur astronomers with small private observatories residing in Slidell, LA (formerly in New Orleans, LA), and Riverview, FL. My name is Mel Dawson, and I begun my association with Astronomy back in July 1970 when I experienced my first telescopic view of the moon through a Selsi 60mm variable powered refractor, owned by Gary Barabino, a new comer to the neighborhood. Needless to say, that first look pulled me in like the gravitational affect of a black hole. I became an understudy to Gary, and we continued to observe many celestial objects. On August 16th of that year, it was a Partial Lunar Eclipse that inspired us to start recording observations of celestial objects, and started the rise of the Vega Astronomical Observatory, later transcending into the Vega Sky Center in 1975. Gary Barabino runs the Vega Astronomical Observatory, as well as being the founder of the VSC. My location is called the Sirius Astronomical Observatory, here in Riverview FL.

Our humble beginnings inspired us to help other budding as well as seasoned amateurs. With assistance from Gary, and our honorary members, we plan to cover many aspects of our astronomical experiences with the goal in mind to be a premiere resource to the astronomical community. We truly hope the information contained within these web pages will be of help to all all of our visitors. Via the resources within, you will find photos and design diagrams of our telescope projects completed and under construction!... Links to some of the most sought-after items and information from a myriad of suppliers, as well as various FREE Astronomy Software downloads!... Real-time astronomical data, and video links!... Links to Star Atlas's and Monthly Sky Charts... and much, much more... with new additions to come!... We even created and made available a downloadable Observation Data Sheet! Also, check out the latest news about Astronomical and Space headlines, courtesy of ASTROWIRE™. As the VSC's WebHub grows, additional sections and pages will be created to share projects, ideas, and knowledge to help amateurs in many aspects of ATM, observational, and photographic astronomy.

We truly hope everyone enjoys this fascinating adventure as we embark on a new era of the VSC... So, please let us know you were here, or send your comments and/ or suggestions by emailing us at the email address below. Your input is always welcome and valuable to us.