Planetarium is now OPEN   Our planetarium is now open for public programs.  Seating will be limited and face masks are not required but recommended.  Reservations are necessary. Phone 757-547 0153 and request “planetarium reservations.”  Call the planetarium “STAR line (757-547 STAR) for program titles and info.

See Public Program page for list of show….

Meteor Shower?  

The next meteor shower will take place on the nights of April 21 & 22.  The shower is named the Lyrids Meteor Shower as the meteors appear to radiate from the constellation of Lyra.  Under clear dark skies several meteor per minute may be observed.

 

 

Total Solar Eclipse will occur on April 19th. Unfortunately it will not be visible in Tidewater. A Solar eclipse is one of the most fantastic sights you will ever see in the sky.  Below is a photo of the Total Solar Eclipse on August 21, 2017

Lunar Eclipse  occurs when the Moon enters the Earth’s Shadow.

May 15 -16. 2022 Lunar Eclipse

May 15-16, 2022 Lunar Eclipse Watch at the planetarium.

 

The next total lunar eclipse visible in Tidewater will be on March 25, 2024

 

 

A Lunar Eclipse was Visible in Tidewater 4 a.m. November 19th 2021

(Below) Partial Solar Eclipse sunrise June 10, 2021

 

 

On the morning of June 10th, 2021 the sunrise did display a partially eclipsed Sun. The image of the Sun had a dark “bite” taken out by the edge of the Moon. This was the beginning of an annular eclipse. Unfortunately Tidewater residents only witnessed a few minutes of this eclipse. The complete annular event was only visible in extreme northern latitudes above Alaska.  (Remember to protect your eyes from sunlight… do not stare at the Sun! Use solar filters.)

  Photo taken at sunrise the morning of June 10th approximately 5:51 a.m. EDT showing Moon partially eclipsing the Sun. Photo by Kent Blackwell member of the Back Bay Amateur astronomers. (BBAA)  Several BBAA members arrived at the boardwalk in Virginia Beach to view the astronomical event.

 

Below are images of a partially eclipsed Sun and an annular eclipse.

 

Sun with dark center
Sun with Moon covering its light

Mars Lander successfully  landed on Mars!

 

Rober resting on a red planet
Perseverance Rover

Your backyard Sky

Comet Leonard in the sky of Chesapeake December 2021.

New Comet was in the evening sky but has moved away from our view now.   Check out the Event Page for more info.

(Comet is the small object in the middle lower section of this picture)

 

Check the Sky Calendar Page on this website for more info.

  • Meteor Shower over two large planets in Night Sky

 

audience in planetarium show - one member is wearing an astronaut suit
Public Programs		 inside view of planetarium dome
School Programs		 Planetarium Director - Dr. Robert Hitt - behind a table with fundraising items
About Dr. Robert Hitt, Director