The opportunity to view the wonders of the evening sky through telescopes will present itself to the public on Wednesday, June 18 starting at 6:00 p.m. Chuck Dibbs, Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ (VBCPS) planetarium coordinator and solar system ambassador for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, along with members of the Back Bay Amateur Astronomers will set up at least six telescopes along the boardwalk at 24th Street for the public’s viewing pleasure.

In addition to viewing the evening sky, school division staff and Back Bay Astronomers will share stories and point out visible constellations with a laser pointer for anyone interested. With the prediction of a clear sky after sunset this evening, star-gazers will be able to view colorful double stars, the ring nebula, craters and mountains on the moon’s surface, the rings of Saturn, and the planet Mars where the Mars Phoenix Lander touched down on May 25.

Prior to sunset, a few astronomers will be available to show interesting details present on the sun’s surface with specialized “solar” telescopes. A monitor will be set up in order to view the program ViewSpace, a constantly changing visual display from the Space Telescope Science Institute, showcasing amazing imagery from various astronomical telescopes and space missions.

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