A stargazing event suitable for the whole family and co-sponsored by Island Arts and the Vermont Astronomical Society will be held weather permitting on Friday, August 23.

Many exciting events have happened in the 2024 island skies. First and foremost was the April total solar eclipse. The islands were fortunate to have some of the best weather in the United States. Vermont Astronomical Society photographer Richard Whitehead, took fabulous pictures of the total solar eclipse in North Hero in April. On May 10, intense auroras were spawned by a series of massive solar flares and coronal mass ejections that erupted from the sun, something Earth has not seen since the truly epic solar storms of October 2003.

The Spontaneous Evening this year will be the 12th since 2010. Only COVID resulted in cancellation of the event. Last year we not only had clear skies but also very steady seeing which resulted in exceptional views of Saturn. Vermont Public's Elodie Reed documented the event (see https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2023-11-06/alburgh-vermont-spontaneous-evening-unde[...]urn )

This year viewing will begin around 8:30 PM. Saturn and its rings will be the first wonder of the evening. As it gets darker,the summer constellations will emerge and participants will have a tour of the sky guided by experienced amateur astronomers using green laser pointers. Several large telescopes will be trained on the many interesting star clusters, galaxies and nebulae visible in the summer skies.

The event will be held at Orchard Hill Observatory in South Alburgh VT. The address is 70 Poor Farm Road, 05440. There is parking on site.

Coming from the south on route 2 through North Hero Village, the entrance to Poor Farm Road is the first left after the North Hero-South Alburgh bridge. The observatory is located on the right 0.7 mi from the entrance to Poor Farm Road. A sign will be at the entrance to the driveway.

Coming from the north on route 2, the entrance to Poor Farm Road is on the right just before the South Alburgh-North Hero bridge.

The evening is free of charge and should be spectacular if the weather cooperates.

Event Info

Dec 27, 2024, 8 AM to 3 PM

Dec 30, 2024, 11:30 AM to 4 PM

Dec 31, 2024, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM