August 20, 2011
Dozens of young astronomers spent their Friday night star gazing. Students and their parents attended the "First Central Virginia Star Gazing" Party at Red Hill Elementary. The indoor activities included planetarium and constellation making.
The program is sponsored by the "Dark Skies, Bright Kids" and the Charlottesville Astronomical Society. Organizers say the goal is to get the public excited about science.
Rachael Beaton with 'Dark Skies, Bright Kids' explains, "We like to use astronomy as a way to get kids interested in science, and then interested in whatever really fascinates them."
5th Grade student at Red Hill Elementary, Erika Riddervold adds, "It was really cool and the telescopes were really big." Another 5th grade student, Jewell Pugh agrees, saying, "It makes me wonder about what's out there and it makes me really think about it sometimes."
Astronomers say Albemarle County has some of the darkest skies along the East Coast.
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