Our local national park beaches hold some of the last remaining harbors of darkness on the east coast. By night, Assateague Island visitors have an unparalleled view of the stars and beyond.
Discover the starry night sky Thursday, July 13, over the Virginia end of Assateague Island National Seashore at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge with NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center and the Delmarva Space Sciences Foundation.
The event starts with Astronomy 101 presentations at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Herbert H. Bateman Education Center Auditorium at 7:30, 8:00, and 8:30 p.m.
Then from 8:30 to 9:45 PM, participants will have the unique opportunity of observing the night sky through telescopes and binoculars located at the north end of beach parking lot #1. Participants will take a closer look into our vast universe through observations of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, star clusters and galaxies.
The event is free and open to the public. The Astronomy 101 presentation will take place regardless of weather; however, the telescope viewing is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Park entrance fees apply.
This series is collaboration between NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center, Assateague Island National Seashore, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Delmarva Space Sciences Foundation.
The NASA Visitor Center, located on Va. Rt. 175 about six miles from U.S. route 13 and five miles from Chincoteague, is open daily, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission is free.
For more information about the Astronomy and Night Sky Summer Series or the Visitor Center, Call 757-824-1344 or visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/visitorcenter
Rebecca Hudson
NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility
757-824-1339
Rebecca.s.hudson@nasa.gov