NASA'S NIGHT SKY SUMMER FINALE

NASA’s successful Astronomy and Night Sky Summer Series is coming to a close. Don’t miss out! The final and most exciting Astronomy Night will be held on Assateague Island, Virginia, August 12.


Unlike the previous two Astronomy Nights this summer, this night will feature the breathtaking Perseid Meteor shower. Join the fun, and gaze through some of Delmarva Space Sciences Foundation’s telescopes. Participants will take a closer look at Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Earth’s Moon, and uniquely this time—a meteor shower.


The event starts with an Astronomy 101 presentation at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Herbert H. Bateman Education Center Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Following this, from 8:45 to 9:45 p.m., participants will have the opportunity of observing the night sky through telescopes and binoculars located at the north end of beach parking lot #1.


“The two previous Astronomy Nights were very popular among locals and tourists alike, drawing in nearly 2,000 people!” said Kim Check, Visitor Center manager. “I would love to see an even bigger turnout for the Perseid Meteor Shower viewing.”

The event starts with an Astronomy 101 presentation at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Herbert H. Bateman Education Center Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Following this, from 8:45 to 9:45 p.m., participants will have the opportunity of observing the night sky through telescopes and binoculars located at the north end of beach parking lot #1.


“The two previous Astronomy Nights were very popular among locals and tourists alike, drawing in nearly 2,000 people!” said Kim Check, Visitor Center manager. “I would love to see an even bigger turnout for the Perseid Meteor Shower viewing.”


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 a collaboration between Assateague Island National Seashore, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Delmarva Space Sciences Foundation, and the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center. 


The NASA Visitor Center, located on Va. Rt. 175, about six miles from U.S. Rt. 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:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/visitorcenter

Samantha Kelly
Office of Communications Intern
NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility