James River State Park an International Dark Sky Park
From the start of time, humans have looked to the night sky as aids to guide them for travel, mark the change in the seasons, know when to plant their fields and when to harvest their crops, and to test the eyesight of their warriors. Many people nowadays are losing the ability to see the night sky because of light pollution. Here on the east coast of the United States finding a night sky dark enough to see the wonders of the stars and planets can be a challenge. Earlier this month Mars was 38 million miles from earth and the next time it is this close will be fifteen years from now. My daughter and I enjoyed the Night Sky Festival we attended last year at Shenandoah National Park, and I wanted to get out again to catch a view of Mars and the wonders of the night sky. Lucky for me my friend Richard has picked up the hobby of an amateur astronomer and has an impressive computer-controlled telescope. But to enjoy the night sky what you really need is a dark sky that is conveniently loc
