Night Skies at Shenandoah National Park

Photo provided by Greg Redfern

National Parks are becoming a refuge for people from city light pollution. Join amateur astronomers as they present a provocative presentation on controlling light pollution while they point out the heavenly stars.

The crisp, clear Blue Ridge Mountain air in Shenandoah National Park makes everything brighter in the night sky. Stars sparkle with more intensity, and constellations come into clearer view.

Held select Fridays at the Big Meadows Area (mile 51, outside the Rapidan Camp Gate). Free to all park visitors. Telescopes will be provided, but participants are recommended to bring their own binoculars as well. A blanket, chair, and flashlight are also recommended.

Presentation is canceled if there is inclement weather. Call 540-999-2222 the day of the event to check on its status.

Upcoming Night Skies Events

DATE TIME TOPIC
 May 3   8:30 PM   Eta Aquarids (60 1P/Halley) & Late Lyrids?(18 C/1861 Thatcher) Moon -19%, Beehive Cluster, galaxies
 May 17   8:45 PM   Late Eta Aquarids (60) Moon +73%, Beehive Cluster
 May 31   9:00 PM   Beehive Cluster, Hercules Cluster, galaxies, Moon Last Qtr
 Jun 14   9:00 PM   Beehive Cluster, Hercules Cluster, galaxies, Moon +50% First Qtr
 Jun 28   9:00 PM   Moon Last Qtr, Bootids?(var), Hercules Cluster, galaxies, Milky Way 
 Jul 13   9:00 PM   Sat night - Mercury?, Spica occultation - Moon First Qtr, Pegasids?(5), Saturn 12:00
 Jul 26   8:45 PM   Alpha Capricornids?(5 169P/NEAT), Hercules Cluster, Moon -68%, Milky Way, Saturn 11:30
 Aug 11   8:30 PM   Sun night - Venus?, Perseid Meteor Shower (100 109P/Swift Tuttle), Moon +44%, Milky Way, Saturn & Neptune @11
 Aug 23   8:15 PM  Venus?, Hercules Cluster, Saturn, Neptune, Milky Way
 Sept 6   8:00 PM  Venus, Moon +13%, Epsilon Perseids? (5), Saturn, Neptune, Milky Way
 Sept 20   7:30 PM   Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Moon -87%, Jupiter @ midnight
 Oct 4   7:15 PM   Venus, Orionids (23 1P/Halley), Moon +4%, Saturn, Neptune, Milky Way, Jupiter @ 10:30
 Oct 25   6:45 PM   Venus, Late Orionids, Epsilon Geminids (2) & Southern Taurids (5 2P/Enke), Saturn, Neptune, Milky Way, Jupiter @ 9:30, Moon Last Qtr
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P.O. Box 727, Luray, Virginia 22835 | 877-847-1919