Bring your snacks, lawn chairs, and blankets and stake a place out on the lawn to kick back and enjoy the Perseid meteor shower.

You can take advantage of our dark skies in Bedford to spot some meteors and arrive a bit early to see the sunset over the Peaks in the gardens at Cloverlea. We’ll also have a short presentation about the James Webb Space Telescope science images at 8:30 p.m.

We will pull out some astronomical binoculars and have some of our telescopes set up for viewing as well. Tours of the Dome Room and Gilbert telescope will be available every half-hour.

Those who have their own telescopes are welcome to bring them for the evening and set them up on the concrete pad, at their own risk.

• This event is free and open to the public.
• Registration is required.

More information to follow after registration.

The Observatory is on the grounds of Claytor Nature Center, 1543 Cloverlea Lane, Bedford, Virginia. Enter at the Cloverlea gate. Please drive slowly on the one-way road as you approach the gate, and dim your lights as you turn onto the Observatory driveway.

This event is sponsored by Belk Observatory.