Jan
8
Sat
2022
Canceled- Sky Meadows State Park- Astronomy for Everyone @ Sky Meadows State Park
Jan 8 @ 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Canceled- Sky Meadows State Park- Astronomy for Everyone @ Sky Meadows State Park

This event is canceled due to snow cover.

RSVP here.

NOVAC supports this event by providing telescope views to visitors.

  • Sky Meadows State Park (11012 Edmonds Ln.), behind the Mount Bleak House within the white fence.
  • For individuals who are fully vaccinated face coverings and social distancing are not required but recommended. Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated will be asked to continue face covering and social distancing procedures.
  • The event’s programs will take place rain or shine.

Please visit the official website for more details.

Feb
5
Sat
2022
Sky Meadows State Park- Astronomy for Everyone @ Sky Meadows State Park
Feb 5 @ 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Sky Meadows State Park- Astronomy for Everyone @ Sky Meadows State Park

RSVP here.

NOVAC supports this event by providing telescope views to visitors.

  • Sky Meadows State Park (11012 Edmonds Ln.), behind the Mount Bleak House within the white fence.
  • For individuals who are fully vaccinated face coverings and social distancing are not required but recommended. Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated will be asked to continue face covering and social distancing procedures.
  • The event’s programs will take place rain or shine.

Please visit the official website for more details.

Mar
5
Sat
2022
Sky Meadows State Park- Astronomy for Everyone @ Sky Meadows State Park
Mar 5 @ 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Sky Meadows State Park- Astronomy for Everyone @ Sky Meadows State Park

RSVP here.

NOVAC supports this event by providing telescope views to visitors.

  • Sky Meadows State Park (11012 Edmonds Ln.), behind the Mount Bleak House within the white fence.
  • For individuals who are fully vaccinated face coverings and social distancing are not required but recommended. Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated will be asked to continue face covering and social distancing procedures.
  • The event’s programs will take place rain or shine.

Please visit the official website for more details.

Apr
2
Sat
2022
Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Astronomy Night @ Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
Apr 2 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Astronomy Night @ Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial | Midland | Virginia | United States

RSVP here.

Members of the public are invited to view the night sky through telescopes and participate in hands-on activities provided by the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC), the National Capital Astronomers, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Astronomy Club, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and the Montgomery College Planetarium.

The event will honor President Eisenhower who sent a note to Congress on April 2, 1958 requesting the formation of a civil space agency, NASA. The Trust for the National Mall and Hofstra University will co-host the event.

Don’t forget to dress warmly. Please check the weather forecast.

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

 

Rappahannock County Park Open Observing Session @ Rappahannock County Park
Apr 2 @ 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm

RSVP here.

Members of the public are invited to view the wonders of the universe through the telescopes of Rappahannock County Park volunteers and NOVAC members. This is an open observing session and members of the public may bring their own telescopes and binoculars as well.

Note this program is only an observing session (no presentation).

As a reminder please ask permission from the telescope owner before using. Please monitor your children if they’re around expensive astronomical equipment. Remember, telescope mirrors are sensitive to cigarette smoke and bug spray. Pets should not be brought onto the observing field as well (unless they are service animals).

Don’t forget to dress warmly. 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. If you’re arriving after dark, please dim your vehicle’s headlights as you approach the gravel parking lot.

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

Please visit the official website for more details.

Apr
22
Fri
2022
Sky Meadows State Park Lyrid Meteor Shower Viewing @ Sky Meadows State Park
Apr 22 @ 7:00 pm – Apr 23 @ 8:00 am
Sky Meadows State Park Lyrid Meteor Shower Viewing @ Sky Meadows State Park

RSVP here.

This family-friendly event, made possible by the Friends of Sky Meadows, provides a relaxing opportunity to learn the importance of dark sky conservation, have a chance to view the Lyrid meteor shower while having the unique experience of being in the park after dark. Begin the evening with a kid-friendly segment exploring the nocturnal animals that call Sky Meadows home. Join NASA JPL Ambassadors and members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC) as they discuss the natural phenomenon of a meteor shower. Explore steps you can take back home to reduce light pollution with the International Dark-Sky Association. Later in the evening view the Lyrid Meteor Shower with the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club as they guide visitors through the night sky.

Tickets are $30 per vehicle (no more than 6 people per ticket). Water and breakfast will be provided, additional snacks available for purchase. Alcohol is prohibited.

Event participants will be allowed to set up one tent for overnight viewing. Space is limited, to register for the meteor shower viewing click here.

Park gate will close promptly at 10 p.m.
All proceeds go to the Friends of Sky Meadows.

Other details

Standard parking or admission fee applies: No.
Extra fee: $30.
Children welcome: Yes.
Phone: 540-592-3556
Email Address: SkyMeadows@dcr.virginia.gov

The event’s programs will take place rain or shine.

Get tickets here.

Apr
30
Sat
2022
Rappahannock County Park Dark Sky Event @ Rappahannock County Park
Apr 30 @ 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 Rappahannock County Park volunteers and NOVAC members. Members of the public may bring their own telescopes and binoculars as well.

This program begins with a 15-minute presentation followed by night sky observing.

As a reminder please ask permission from the telescope owner before using. Please monitor your children if they’re around expensive astronomical equipment. Remember, telescope mirrors are sensitive to cigarette smoke and bug spray. Pets should not be brought onto the observing field as well (unless they are service animals).

Don’t forget to dress warmly. 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. If you’re arriving after dark, please dim your vehicle’s headlights as you approach the gravel parking lot.

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

Please visit the official website for more details.

Sky Meadows State Park- Astronomy for Everyone @ Sky Meadows State Park
Apr 30 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sky Meadows State Park- Astronomy for Everyone @ Sky Meadows State Park

RSVP here.

Sky Meadows and NOVAC invite you to enjoy an evening under the stars. Our evenings begin with a half-hour children’s “Junior Astronomer” program, followed by a discussion about the importance of dark skies and light conservation. Then join NASA Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) Ambassadors for a presentation on the latest news in astronomy. Visitors should bring their own lawn chairs and/or blankets. Next, get oriented to the celestial skies with a brief sky tour. Finish the evening by relaxing and enjoying the beautiful night sky. Join Northern Virginia Astronomy Club members in viewing the night sky. Feel free to bring your telescope or binoculars for your own exploration.

The event’s programs will take place rain or shine.

Details: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sky-meadows

May
21
Sat
2022
Astronomy Day @ C.M. Crockett Park
May 21 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Astronomy Day @ C.M. Crockett Park

RSVP here.

Join NOVAC members who will be on hand to share views of the night sky.

Activities during Astronomy Day will include a telescope meet and greet, solar observing, a guided sky tour, night sky observing, and other demonstrations.

Feel free to walk around and enjoy the views of objects through a variety of telescopes on the field. Please ask the owner before using a telescope. If you have young children, please watch them around expensive astronomical equipment. Remember, telescope mirrors are sensitive to cigarette smoke and bug spray. Pets should also not be brought onto the observing field.

No astronomy experience or equipment is necessary to attend. If you have your own equipment, feel free to bring them along, even if it’s just a pair of binoculars.

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. Please dim your vehicles headlights when arriving and departing.

Crockett Park charges $7 per vehicle if you’re not a Fauquier County resident. However the event itself is completely free. NOVAC members are admitted free upon presentation of a membership card (available from the members-only section of the website). If you’re not a member but would like to become one, you can join the club online and print your membership card in only a few minutes.

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

 

Head over to the Astronomy Day page for more information.

Rappahannock County Park Open Observing Session @ Rappahannock County Park
May 21 @ 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 Rappahannock County Park volunteers and NOVAC members. This is an open observing session and members of the public may bring their own telescopes and binoculars as well.

Note this program is only an observing session (no presentation).

As a reminder please ask permission from the telescope owner before using. Please monitor your children if they’re around expensive astronomical equipment. Remember, telescope mirrors are sensitive to cigarette smoke and bug spray. Pets should not be brought onto the observing field as well (unless they are service animals).

Don’t forget to dress warmly. 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. If you’re arriving after dark, please dim your vehicle’s headlights as you approach the gravel parking lot.

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

Please visit the official website for more details.