The Northern Virginia Astronomy Club invites the public to Astronomy Day at Sky Meadows State Park on 24 April 2010. Come out at 3PM to observe the Sun! Stay until nightfall to see some planets and deep sky objects! Who knows - maybe the young person you bring will follow in the footsteps of Apollo 11 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, a Germanna Rector family descendant.

Enjoy the wonderful views of the landscape and night sky from the flanks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The program features solar observing through safe filters, telescopes to look at and look through when the stars come out, and presentations about astronomy and the night sky. Rain or shine (we'll have a tent set up), the public is invited from 3pm to 11pm to enjoy this day in observance of amateur astronomy!

You don't need any experience at all to enjoy Astronomy Day, nor is it necessary to bring equipment. If you own a pair of binoculars, go ahead and bring them; they're great for looking at the night sky.

Preparation begins before leaving home. Dress warmly! Evening temperatures can be chilly. 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. Feel free to walk around and enjoy the sights through the equipment on display.

While you are in the area, stop by to visit Rectortown (founded by the Germanna Rector family), and the Caleb Rector house (http://www.civilwaralbum.com/misc5/mosby37.htm) at Atoka, where Mosby's Rangers was formed and now serves as the headquarters for the Mosby Heritage Area Association (http://www.mosbyheritagearea.org/).

More information and directions: http://novac.com/astronomy-day/ and http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/sky.shtml