🔭 Planetariums, observatories and star parties in Richmond
Grown-ups: these places are on other websites. Hold the button for two seconds to turn the names into links.
Planetariums
- The Dome at the Science Museum of Virginiasmv.org
Richmond · The museum's dome theater lists current planetarium shows, among them Imagine the Moon, We Are Stars and Birth of Planet Earth.
Observatories with public nights
- Keeble Observatory at Randolph-Macon Collegermc.edu
Ashland · The college observatory opens to visitors on Thursday evenings with listed fall dates, needs no RSVP and cancels viewings when the weather is poor.
Astronomy clubs with star parties
- Richmond Astronomical Societyrichastro.org
Chesterfield · The amateur astronomy society lists public skywatch dates at Chesterfield County sites such as a library and a recreation center, with telescopes set up for visitors.
Dark-sky places within a drive
- James River State Parkdcr.virginia.gov
Gladstone · An International Dark Sky Park in Buckingham County where staff hold star-watching sessions monthly in the cooler months, with Star Party nights listed for mid-November.
- Natural Bridge State Parkdcr.virginia.gov
Natural Bridge · A designated International Dark Sky Park offering ranger-led stargazing, with a Dark Sky Night built around the mountain moonrise listed for late November.
- Sky Meadows State Parkdcr.virginia.gov
Delaplane · A DarkSky-designated park where volunteers lead monthly telescope programs, and Turner Pond serves as the self-guided observation area after dusk.
- Staunton River State Parkdcr.virginia.gov
Scottsburg · A park in Halifax County with a stargazing field beside the visitor center, rental telescopes, and a star party each March and October with free Saturday nights.