Light Pollution Awareness Event Held For Dark Skies Day In Vienna

VIENNA, VA — This weekend advocates will host an event in Vienna to bring awareness to the harms of light pollution.

The dark skies event will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17 at the Vienna Community Center. DarkSky Nova is the host, and participants will include Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, Alonso Abugattas of The Capital Naturalist, DarkSky International and the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance.

During the afternoon, attendees will focus on the beauty of the night sky and how reducing light pollution can make more stars visible. Attendees can chat with astronomers, look through telescopes, and explore the planetarium. Along with information on astronomy, experts will educate attendees on the harms of light pollution on humans, birds, insects and plants. Different types of light pollution — skyglow, light trespass and glare— will be discussed as well as ways to reduce light pollution.

The event is free to attend with registration. Donations are accepted.

Another event for astronomy fans will be Turner Farm's Astronomy Festival with guided stargazing, telescope viewing, ancient constellation tales and hot chocolate. The festival will happen at the Turner Farm Park Observatory in Great Falls from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16. The cost is $10, and the event will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. There are no additional tickets available, but future events are planned in 2025.