UPDATE 12/15: Thank you for your interest in joining us for Exploring Astronomy. Due to Governor Northam's recent update on group size limits, in addition to snow/ice expected on Whitetop Mountain and a forecast for cloud cover, we are cancelling the Exploring Astronomy event for this Saturday, December 19th.
We hope to see you another time when conditions are more suitable!
Join us on Saturday, December 19th, 2020 from 5:30pm-8:00pm for an evening under the stars as we explore outer space, make personal discoveries about the night sky, and share in the wonders of astronomy at Blue Ridge Discovery Center.
This event has been rescheduled from November to December. This is actually exciting news. We will now be able to witness an astronomical event that only takes place once every 20 years! During the Winter Solstice this year, Saturn and Jupiter will experience their "great conjunction" when these two planets will be 0.1 degrees apart. Although the event takes place every 20 years, these two giants have not been this close since 1623 and will not be this close again until 2080.
BRDC Naturalist/Educator and resident astronomer Lauren Peery will help participants get acquainted with the night sky by identifying planets, stars, and constellations with the aid of an astronomy laser pointer and Celestron 8” telescope. Telescope observations may include the waxing moon, Mars (possibly Saturn and Jupiter depending on our field of view), star clusters, nebulae, and maybe even galaxies.
We will meet at the BRDC Field Station at 5:30 before traveling to Whitetop Mountain to get a clear view of Saturn and Jupiter. This family-friendly program will also include an activity for the kids!
Keep in mind this is an outdoor and socially-distanced event, so please come equipped with a face covering and warm coat/gloves/hat. Any event updates will be posted here by 12:00 pm on December 18th in case of inclement weather.