We encourage residents and visitors to tap into their inner astronomer and admire the breathtaking views of the Dark Skies of Nelson County.
Leave your flashlights behind and look for constellations, wish on a shooting star, and dream of the mysteries that lie beyond the Milky Way. Local hospitality businesses are creating and promoting places and events that preserve and protect our Dark Skies, such as specials, packages and events for viewing astronomical wonders.
Be sure to check out the monthly happenings in the sky!
Be sure to check out the monthly happenings in the sky!
Indigo House: Dark Skies Package
Leave your flashlights behind and look for constellations, wish on a shooting star, and dream of the mysteries that lie beyond the Milky Way.
- 2 night minimum
- Picnic dinner for two from Basic Necessities (blanket provided)
- Cookies from Fox Hollow Baking
- Late check-out (instead of 11 am, 1pm- in case of super late star gazing super late)
- Coffee Room Service one morning
Love Ridge: Stargazing Experience
Stay at Love Ridge and enjoy the delights of viewing the night sky with little ambient light. This Package is perfect to take in the night skies for an evening of family fun.
Stargazing Calendar 2024
Our guide to the latest astronomy events of 2024
Dark Skies Brews and Views
Wood Ridge Farm Brewery in Lovingston
165 Old Ridge Road, Lovingston
Dark Skies Lager at Wood Ridge Farm Brewery – Well balanced Helles lager with notes of coffee.
Come out the 3rd Wednesday of the month for Dark Skies viewing. **WEATHER PERMITTING**
Lovingston, Virginia
February 28 – March 13
Wood Ridge Farm Brewery
Lovingston, Virginia
Wednesday, March 13th, with a rain date of Thursday, March 14th
Program Start Time: 8:15 P.M.
Lunar illumination: 16.2%
An observing window is defined as a period of time (allowing for observing conditions) that provides at least 1 and 1/2 hours of observing after astronomical twilight, which occurs one and one half hours after sunset, and which takes place when the Moon provides less than 25% illumination.
Observing sessions or activities should take place only when clear, mostly clear or a few clouds from time to time are forecast, based on both the National Weather Service and the Clear Sky Clock. Because of these variables, scheduled observing sessions or activities should be planned with a rain date in mind, which should be announced no later than 6:00 pm on the day prior to an event.
- Visit the Charlottesville Astronomical Society Website
- Go to the Sky Conditions drop-down menu and choose the Clear Sky Clock for the Observatory on Fan Mountain – a tool used by amateur astronomers for a two-day look-ahead at upcoming observing conditions. It can be a bit on the conservative side but can be useful for re-scheduling an event or activity, if necessary. Then use the Weather Forecast tool in conjunction with the Clear Sky Clock.
Nautical Twilight (an hour after sunset): Observing the planets and brighter objects, plus satellites
Astronomical Twilight (an hour and a half after sunset): Nelson’s dark skies make their appearance, with the caveats mentioned above.
Jan. 10 – January 25
Feb. 9 – Feb. 23
March 10 – March 25
April 10 – April 24
May 9 – May 24
June 8 – June 22
July 9 – July 22
Aug. 8 – Aug. 21
Sept. 7 – Sept. 19
Oct. 5 – Oct. 18
Nov. 5 – Nov. 17
Dec. 1 – Dec. 16
12 Ridges Vineyard and Winery
Acorn Inn
Afton Mountain B & B
Afton Mountain Vineyards Cottages
Avalon Art Gallery
Beech Grove Cabins
Blue Mountain Barrel House
Blue Mountain Brewery
Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Toad Hard Cider
Bold Rock Hard Cider
Brent Manor Vineyards
Brewing Tree Brewing Company
Bryants Small Batch Cider and Brewery
Cabins at Crabtree Falls
Cardinal Point Farmhouse
DelFosse Farmhouse and Log Cabin
Devils Backbone Camp
Farmhouse at Veritas
Fenton Inn
Fortune’s Cove Preserve
Foxtrot at Pharsalia
Glenthorne Farm
Graces Place
Hazy Mountain Winery & Brewery
High Lonesome Cabin
Inn at Blue Mountain
James River State Park
Love Ridge Mountain Lodging
Lovingston Winery
Montebello Camping Fishing Resort
Montebello Country Store
Mountain Cove Vineyards
Orchard House B & B
Overland Expo East
Possum Trot
Red Hill B & B
Rockfish Ranch
Rockfish Valley Community Center
RockNCeek Cabin
Rockwell Ridge Inn
Silverback Distillery
Southern Comfort Lakeside Resort
Spruce Creek Park
Three Beeches
Valley Road Vineyard
Veritas Vineyard and Winery
Wild Man Dan’s Beercentric B & B
Wintergreen Resort
Wood Ridge Farm Brewery