Event Type: Family Fun

Shenandoah National Park – Big Meadows area (mile 51 on Skyline Drive)

Amateur astronomer, Frank Perfetti, will share with you not only his love for astronomy but also for aviation, which he did as a volunteer at the National Air and Space Museum in D.C. manning a Discovery Station.  Free to park visitors.

Presentation will begin in the Massanutten Room at Big Meadows Lodge, and then move to the Big Meadows area, weather permitting.

A blanket, chair, and flashlight are recommended. Call (540) 999-2221 the day of event to check on status. Check at the front desk for more information.

Photo courtesy of Larry Brown.

Sunday – August 11, 2024
Big Meadows Area (mile 51 on Skyline Drive)

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 as you gaze at the heavenly stars.  Topic: Perseid Meteor Shower (100 109P/Swift Tuttle), Moon +44%, Milky Way, Saturn & Neptune @ 11.

Large telescopes will be available but also plan to bring your own binoculars for night skies viewing. The amateur astronomer will point out constellations with a green laser. An electronic scope projecting onto a screen will also show things that the eye can’t see – and in color, too!  Free to all park visitors.

A blanket, jacket, chair and flashlight are recommended.

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

Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space!

“Under the Stars at Shenandoah National Park” – If the sky is clear after the presentation, guests will move outdoors to see the night sky in all its glory while listening to sky lore and fascinating sky facts!

Presentations are held select dates at Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51 on Skyline Drive) and is free to all park visitors. Program start time is 9:00 p.m. June through August. A jacket is recommended and a flashlight is helpful.

• “The Future of US Crewed Spaceflight” Learn where NASA is headed, literally, with new manned spacecraft and rockets to launch the next generation of American astronauts.

Shenandoah National Park – Big Meadows area (mile 51 on Skyline Drive)

Amateur astronomer, Frank Perfetti, will share with you not only his love for astronomy but also for aviation, which he did as a volunteer at the National Air and Space Museum in D.C. manning a Discovery Station.  Free to all park visitors.

Presentation will begin in the Massanutten Room at Big Meadows Lodge, and then move to the Big Meadows area, weather permitting.

A blanket, chair, and flashlight are recommended. Call (540) 999-2221 the day of event to check on status. Check at the front desk for more information.

Photo courtesy of Larry Brown.

Friday – August 23, 2024
Big Meadows Area (mile 51 on Skyline Drive)

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 as you gaze at the heavenly stars. Topic: Venus?, Hercules Cluster, Saturn, Neptune, Milky Way

Telescopes provided for viewing but also bring your own binoculars for night skies viewing. Amateur astronomer Rich Drumm will point out constellations with a green laser. An electronic scope projecting onto a screen will also show things that the eye can’t see – and in color, too!  Free to all park visitors.

A blanket, jacket, chair and flashlight are recommended.

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

Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space!

“Under the Stars at Shenandoah National Park” – If the sky is clear after the presentation, guests will move outdoors to see the night sky in all its glory while listening to sky lore and fascinating sky facts!

Presentations are held select dates at Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51 on Skyline Drive) and is free to all park visitors. Program start time is 9:00 p.m June through August. A jacket is recommended and a flashlight is helpful.

• “Mount Wilson Observatory – Where the Universe Changed Forever” The observatory where discoveries changed our view of the Universe forever.

Shenandoah Valley Music Festival
Orkney Springs, VA

Steep Canyon Rangers got their start in college at UNC-Chapel Hill, before diving head first into bluegrass in its most traditional form. Over the years, the band has risen to the top of the bluegrass genre, headlining top festivals, such as Merlefest and Grey Fox Bluegrass, only to then be discovered by Steve Martin, famous actor/comedian and banjo player. Martin has taken the Rangers on a nearly decade long tour, introducing them to hundreds of thousands of new fans and giving them prime time TV exposure.

Shenandoah National Park — Big Meadows (mile 51 on Skyline Drive)

Amateur astronomer, Frank Perfetti, will share with you not only his love for astronomy but also for aviation, which he did as a volunteer at the National Air and Space Museum in D.C. manning a Discovery Station.  Free to park visitors.

Presentation will begin in the Massanutten Room at Big Meadows Lodge, and then move to the Big Meadows area, weather permitting.

A blanket, chair, and flashlight are recommended. Call (540) 999-2221 the day of event to check on status. Check at the front desk for more information.

Photos courtesy of Larry Brown.

Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space!

“Under the Stars at Shenandoah National Park” – If the sky is clear after the presentation, guests will move outdoors to see the night sky in all its glory while listening to sky lore and fascinating sky facts!

Presentations are held select dates at Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51 on Skyline Drive) and is free to all park visitors. Program start time is 8:00 p.m. September through October. A jacket is recommended and a flashlight is helpful.

• “New Horizons to Pluto And Beyond” 2015 was the year we got to see Pluto, the dethroned 9^th planet of our solar system, up close and personal.  Learn about the famous dwarf planet  from discovery to flyby to the follow on mission.

Shenandoah National Park – Big Meadows area (mile 51 on Skyline Drive)

Amateur astronomer, Frank Perfetti, will share with you not only his love for astronomy but also for aviation, which he did as a volunteer at the National Air and Space Museum in D.C. manning a Discovery Station. Free to park visitors.

Presentation will begin in the Massanutten Room at Big Meadows Lodge, and then move to the Big Meadows area, weather permitting.

A blanket, chair, and flashlight are recommended. Call (540) 999-2221 the day of event to check on status. Check at the front desk for more information.

Photo courtesy of Larry Brown.

Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space!

“Under the Stars at Shenandoah National Park” – If the sky is clear after the presentation, guests will move outdoors to see the night sky in all its glory while listening to sky lore and fascinating sky facts!

Presentations are held select dates at Skyland (mile 41.7 on Skyline Drive) and is free to all park visitors. Program start time is 8:00 p.m. September through November. A jacket is recommended and a flashlight is helpful.

Sept 15 –  “New Horizons to Pluto And Beyond” 2015 was the year we got to see Pluto, the dethroned 9^th planet of our solar system, up close and personal.  Learn about the famous dwarf planet  from discovery to flyby to the follow on mission.

Sept 29 –  “This Isn’t Your Grandaddy’s Moon” Guests will learn the latest about the missions sent to the Moon by NASA, China and India plus manned efforts. Guests will also learn about the Moon’s origin and evolution.

Oct 20 – “Our Star, the Sun”.How does Sun shine? How was it born, live and ultimately, die? Our guests will be amazed after they learn about our star.

Oct 27 –  “The Universe and You” Guests will learn about the fascinating Universe in which they live, are made from and are part of.

Nov 10 –  JWST-NASA’s Successor to Hubble Space Telescope (HST)” The 2021 space telescope successor to HST seen up close and personal with latest pics and info direct from NASA.

Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space!

“Under the Stars at Shenandoah National Park” – If the sky is clear after the presentation, guests will move outdoors to see the night sky in all its glory while listening to sky lore and fascinating sky facts!

Presentations are held select dates at Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51 on Skyline Drive) and is free to all park visitors. Program start time is 8:00 p.m. September through October. A jacket is recommended and a flashlight is helpful.

• “This Isn’t Your Grandaddy’s Moon” Guests will learn the latest about the missions sent to the Moon by NASA, China and India plus manned efforts. Guests will also learn about the Moon’s origin and evolution.

Shenandoah National Park — Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51 on Skyline Drive)

Shenandoah National Park — Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51 on Skyline Drive)

Shenandoah National Park — Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51 on Skyline Drive)

Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space!

“Under the Stars at Shenandoah National Park” – If the sky is clear after the presentation, guests will move outdoors to see the night sky in all its glory while listening to sky lore and fascinating sky facts!

Presentations are held select dates at Skyland (mile 41.7 on Skyline Drive) and is free to all park visitors. Program start time is 8:00 p.m. September through November. A jacket is recommended and a flashlight is helpful.

Sept 15 –  “New Horizons to Pluto And Beyond” 2015 was the year we got to see Pluto, the dethroned 9^th planet of our solar system, up close and personal.  Learn about the famous dwarf planet  from discovery to flyby to the follow on mission.

Sept 29 –  “This Isn’t Your Grandaddy’s Moon” Guests will learn the latest about the missions sent to the Moon by NASA, China and India plus manned efforts. Guests will also learn about the Moon’s origin and evolution.

Oct 20 – “Our Star, the Sun”.How does Sun shine? How was it born, live and ultimately, die? Our guests will be amazed after they learn about our star.

Oct 27 –  “The Universe and You” Guests will learn about the fascinating Universe in which they live, are made from and are part of.

Nov 10 –  JWST-NASA’s Successor to Hubble Space Telescope (HST)” The 2021 space telescope successor to HST seen up close and personal with latest pics and info direct from NASA.

Shenandoah National Park – Big Meadows area (mile 51 on Skyline Drive)

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.

Large telescopes are provided but also bring your own binoculars for night skies viewing. Amateur astronomer Rich Drumm will point out constellations with a green laser. An electronic scope projecting onto a screen will also show things that the eye can’t see – and in color, too!  Free to all park visitors.

A blanket, jacket, chair and flashlight are recommended.

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

Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space!

“Under the Stars at Shenandoah National Park” – If the sky is clear after the presentation, guests will move outdoors to see the night sky in all its glory while listening to sky lore and fascinating sky facts!

Presentations are held select dates at Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51 on Skyline Drive) and is free to all park visitors. Program start time is 8:00 p.m. September through October. A jacket is recommended and a flashlight is helpful.

• “Our Star, the Sun”. How does Sun shine? How was it born, live and ultimately, die? Guests will be amazed after they learn about our star.

Shenandoah National Park — Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51 on Skyline Drive)

Jeff Alt, a talented speaker and award-winning author of A Walk for Sunshine, enjoys sharing his 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail adventures with Shenandoah National Park visitors. Free.

Jeff uses humor and adventure in a story telling format. His presentations involve music, slides, and personal narration. Alt, an expert hiker, has been featured on Discovery Channel.com and many more. Alt’s books, The Adventures of Bubba Jones: Time Traveling Through Shenandoah National Park and Get Your Kids Hiking: How to Start Them Young and Keep it Fun, are inspiring families to literally, take a hike.

Shenandoah National Park – Big Meadows area (mile 51 on Skyline Drive)

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.

Large telescopes are provided but also bring your own binoculars for night skies viewing. Amateur astronomer Rich Drumm will point out constellations with a green laser. An electronic scope projecting onto a screen will also show things that the eye can’t see – and in color, too!  Free to all park visitors.

A blanket, jacket, chair and flashlight are recommended.

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

Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space!

“Under the Stars at Shenandoah National Park” – If the sky is clear after the presentation, guests will move outdoors to see the night sky in all its glory while listening to sky lore and fascinating sky facts!

Presentations are held select dates at Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51 on Skyline Drive) and is free to all park visitors. Program start time is 8:00 p.m. September through October. A jacket is recommended and a flashlight is helpful.

• “The Universe and You” Guests will learn about the fascinating Universe in which they live, are made from and are part of.

Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space!

“Under the Stars at Shenandoah National Park” – If the sky is clear after the presentation, guests will move outdoors to see the night sky in all its glory while listening to sky lore and fascinating sky facts!

Presentations are held select dates at Skyland (mile 41.7 on Skyline Drive) and is free to all park visitors. Program start time is 8:00 p.m. September through November. A jacket is recommended and a flashlight is helpful.

Sept 15 –  “New Horizons to Pluto And Beyond” 2015 was the year we got to see Pluto, the dethroned 9^th planet of our solar system, up close and personal.  Learn about the famous dwarf planet  from discovery to flyby to the follow on mission.

Sept 29 –  “This Isn’t Your Grandaddy’s Moon” Guests will learn the latest about the missions sent to the Moon by NASA, China and India plus manned efforts. Guests will also learn about the Moon’s origin and evolution.

Oct 20 – “Our Star, the Sun”.How does Sun shine? How was it born, live and ultimately, die? Our guests will be amazed after they learn about our star.

Oct 27 –  “The Universe and You” Guests will learn about the fascinating Universe in which they live, are made from and are part of.

Nov 10 –  JWST-NASA’s Successor to Hubble Space Telescope (HST)” The 2021 space telescope successor to HST seen up close and personal with latest pics and info direct from NASA.