Dec
11
Sat
2021
Canceled- Widewater State Park Stargazing Event @ Widewater State Park
Dec 11 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Canceled- Widewater State Park Stargazing Event @ Widewater State Park

This event is cancelled because of inclement weather.

RSVP Here.

Widewater State Park and NOVAC will be co-hosting a stargazing event that’s open to the public.  NOVAC members will provide telescopes to view objects in the night sky. You do not need to be a member of the club or own any astronomical equipment to attend.

For individuals who are fully vaccinated, face coverings and social distancing are not required. Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated should continue face covering and social distancing procedures.

This outdoor event is weather-dependent.

For more information, please visit Widewater State Park’s website.

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.

Mar
26
Sat
2022
Great Meadow Public Night @ Great Meadow
Mar 26 @ 7:00 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.

Before sunset, feel free to inspect the 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!

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.

More information about Great Meadow including directions and parking visit the Great Meadow Site page.

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

 

Apr
2
Sat
2022
Canceled- C.M. Crockett Public Night @ C.M. Crockett Park
Apr 2 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Canceled- C.M. Crockett Public Night @ C.M. Crockett Park | Midland | Virginia | United States

This event is CANCELED due to the cloud cover forecast tonight.

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.

Before sunset, feel free to inspect the 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!

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

 

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
9
Sat
2022
George Mason University- Arlington Campus Night Sky Viewing @ George Mason University, Arlington Campus
Apr 9 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
George Mason University- Arlington Campus Night Sky Viewing @ George Mason University, Arlington Campus

RSVP here.

Members of the public are invited to view the urban night sky over George Mason University’s Arlington Campus through the telescopes of NOVAC volunteers.

Observing will take place on the outdoor plaza in front of Van Metre Hall (Schar School of Policy and Government). Visitor Parking is available in the Van Metre Hall Garage (hourly rate). There is also metered street parking around the campus.

As a reminder please ask permission from the telescope owner before using. Please monitor your children if they’re around expensive astronomical equipment.

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.

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.