Oct
7
Sat
2023
Star Gaze @ C.M. Crockett Park
Oct 7 @ 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Star Gaze @ C.M. Crockett Park | Midland | Virginia | United States

RSVP here.

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

Activities during Star Gaze 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 due to overcast or precipitation.

For more information, see our Star Gaze page.

Jun
22
Sat
2024
Astronomy Festival on the National Mall @ National Mall, Washington, DC
Jun 22 @ 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Astronomy Festival on the National Mall @ National Mall, Washington, DC

Members of the public are invited attend the largest annual astronomy outreach event in the U.S.

NOVAC will join 30 other astronomy/science organizations on the National Mall between 3rd and 4th Street to share astronomy concepts during the day and share views of the D.C. sky at night.

The festival is hosted by Hofstra University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy and their Astronomy Outreach Program.

The event will be on the National Mall between 7th and 9th Streets NW, in front of the Hirshhorn Museum.

Note: This outdoor event is weather-dependent and may be cancelled or moved indoors because of precipitation.

Oct
26
Sat
2024
Star Gaze @ C.M. Crockett Park
Oct 26 @ 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Star Gaze @ C.M. Crockett Park | Midland | Virginia | United States

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

Activities during Star Gaze will include meeting with astronomers who will share their knowledge and show you their astro equipment, 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 are not permitted onto the observing field.

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

For preserving everyone’s dark sky eye adaptation, cover your flashlight in red cellophane (the darker the better). Bring along water to keep hydrated and plan on staying the entire evening. Please dim your vehicle’s headlights when arriving and departing.

Crockett Park charges $7 per vehicle if you’re not a Fauquier County resident. 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 rain or shine.  In the event of rain or overcast skies the speaker sessions will start at 4 pm.

For more information, see our Star Gaze page.