Key information for official sites with agreements:

  • Camp High Road is open unless specified on Camp High Road specific page
  • C.M. Crockett is open only during periods specified on the Crockett specific page
  • Meadowkirk observing requires explicit permission.  See Meadowkirk page for details
  • Sky Meadows State Park is open for vetted volunteers only unless posted on the Sky Meadows specific page
  • Spruce Knob Mountain Center:  See site specific page or contact site coordinator for availability
Jan
1
Fri
Meadowkirk Closed @ Meadowkirk
Jan 1 – Jun 30 all-day
Jun
3
Thu
Open Crockett Member Observing @ C.M. Crockett Park
Jun 3 – Jun 17 all-day

Open Observing Window for C.M. Crockett Park

Jun
4
Fri
Rappahannock County Park Open @ Rappahannock County Park
Jun 4 – Jun 5 all-day

Rappahannock County Park is open to members and the public by permit only every Friday and Saturday night. For information about obtaining a permit, contact Torney Van Acker at torney630@gmail.com.

Jun
5
Sat
Member Observing Session at Crockett @ CM Crockett Park
Jun 5 all-day
Rappahannock County Park Open @ Rappahannock County Park
Jun 5 – Jun 6 all-day

Rappahannock County Park is open to members and the public by permit only every Friday and Saturday night. For information about obtaining a permit, contact Torney Van Acker at torney630@gmail.com.

Jun
10
Thu
🌑 New Moon
Jun 10 @ 6:53 am – 6:53 am
Jun
11
Fri
Rappahannock County Park Open @ Rappahannock County Park
Jun 11 – Jun 12 all-day

Rappahannock County Park is open to members and the public by permit only every Friday and Saturday night. For information about obtaining a permit, contact Torney Van Acker at torney630@gmail.com.

Spruce Knob Weekend @ Spruce Knob Mountain Center
Jun 11 – Jun 14 all-day

Contact the NOVAC Site Coordinator for reservations – full information can be found on the Spruce Knob member info page.

 

Jun
12
Sat
Rappahannock County Park Open @ Rappahannock County Park
Jun 12 – Jun 13 all-day

Rappahannock County Park is open to members and the public by permit only every Friday and Saturday night. For information about obtaining a permit, contact Torney Van Acker at torney630@gmail.com.

C.M. Crockett Public Night @ C.M. Crockett Park- It's a Go! (Starts at 8pm)
Jun 12 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

RSVP here.

Members of the public are invited to view the wonders of the universe through the telescopes of NOVAC volunteers. You do not need to be a member of the club or own any astronomical equipment to attend. Masks are required and up to 10 visitors at a time are allowed around a single telescope.

Featured objects include various deep sky objects like star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.

From 8pm until sunset (8:34pm) you can inspect different telescopes and other visual equipment on the field. Have a cosmic question? One of our astronomers will be happy to help you. After sunset be prepared to enjoy the wonders of the night sky!

After arriving at the main gate, take the first left into the gravel parking lot. There is additional parking up the road. There should be some telescopes setup in the nearby field. Please dim your headlights if you are arriving after dark and please do not drive onto the field unless you are a volunteer.

Dress warmly! Temperatures can still be cool during summer nights. Please check the weather forecast. For lighting, cover a flashlight in red cellophane (the darker the better). Bring along water to keep hydrated and plan on staying the entire evening or as long as the weather allows. Feel free to walk around and view the different telescopes on display but please ask the owner before using. Please monitor your children around expensive astronomical equipment. Remember, telescope mirrors are sensitive to cigarette smoke and bug spray. Finally, pets should not be brought onto the observing field unless they are service animals.

Note: This outdoor event is weather-dependent and may be cancelled because of significant cloud cover or precipitation.

Please read the C.M. Crockett Page for park details.