Free Stargazing Events with the Back Bay Amateur Astronomers

The Back Bay Amateur Astronomers have been bringing telescopes out for the public since 1978, and every event below is free and open to anyone. You do not need a telescope, any equipment, or the first idea what you are looking at. Club members set up their scopes and talk you through what is overhead.

Every one of these is weather dependent. Clouds end a stargazing night, and the club will cancel or cut an event short if the sky does not cooperate. Always check before you drive out. Their Facebook page is where last minute calls get posted, and for Northwest River Park you can also call 757-421-7151.

Upcoming Events

August

• Saturday, August 8, 8:00pm to 11:59pm Skywatch at the Equestrian Area of Northwest River Park, 1569 Indian Creek Road, Chesapeake. Event details.
• Wednesday, August 12 into Thursday, August 13, 10:00pm to 4:00am Perseids Meteor Shower watch at Heritage Park and the Joel C. Bradshaw Fairgrounds, 21311 Courthouse Highway, Windsor. This is the late night one, and the Perseids are the best meteor shower of the year for our area. Event details.
• Friday, August 14, 7:30pm to 11:55pm Cornland Stargazing at Cornland Park, Chesapeake. Event details.
• Tuesday, August 18, 6:00pm to 11:00pm Boardwalk Astronomy at the Oceanfront, 2401 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach. Event details.
• Friday, August 21, 7:30pm to 11:55pm Cornland Stargazing at Cornland Park, Chesapeake. Event details.
• Tuesday, August 25, 6:00pm to 11:00pm Boardwalk Astronomy at the Oceanfront, 2401 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach. Event details.
• Saturday, August 29, 10:00am to 1:00pm Saturday Sun Day Community Event, 1400 Elizabeth River Way, Chesapeake. Event details.

September

• Saturday, September 5, 7:30pm to 11:30pm Skywatch at Northwest River Park, 1569 Indian Creek Road, Chesapeake. Event details.

Going With Kids

A few things that make the difference between a good night and a short one.

• Arrive about an hour before the listed start if anyone wants help with a telescope of their own. Club members are happy to show you how to use it, and that is much easier in daylight.
• Start times move earlier through the season because they follow sunset. An August event starts around 8:00pm, a September one closer to 7:30pm. Be sure to double check the start time of each event.
• These run late. Most go until nearly midnight and the Perseids watch runs to 4:00am, but you are not committing to the whole thing. Turn up, look through a few scopes, leave when your youngest has had enough.
• Bring bug spray and something warm. Standing still in a field after dark is colder than you expect, and just as buggy as you would expect, even in August.
• Red light only. White flashlights and phone screens wreck everyone’s night vision, including your child’s. Red cellophane over a flashlight works.

At Northwest River Park, enter through the Equestrian Area entrance. After the first gate, park outside the large gateposts and walk over to the telescopes rather than driving down. There are signs showing where to park.

Finding More Dates

The club posts its full schedule on its own events calendar and on its NASA Night Sky Network club page, which is usually the most current of the two.

We also list these on our own Events Calendar as they are announced.

Looking for more sky watching? See our list of Local planetarium programs and stargazing events, which covers indoor options for nights when the weather does not cooperate.