Fairfax County General :
Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Anyone know of a good, clean, safe public park/ outdoor rec area where you can get a good view of the night sky? The Perseid Meteor shower is coming up in August and I don't know where to go in this area where you'd be able to see it.
A co-worker said last year they went during the same time. Couldn't remember where exactly, but that lots of other people were there for the same thing... blankets, lawn chairs, etc.
They're gonna suck this year, the moon will have just peaked from the full phase into gibbous, so it'll be hard to see the Perseids. However next year it'll be very good, as they'll happen when the moon will be nearly new. For the best show, go out to the mountains...I go to WV. It's spectacular.
I'd head out on 66 to The Planes, then head a bit north onto the back roads. Plenty of places to pull off, nobody will bother you, and it'll be dark as dark. But it's not gonna be the best year.
abelard Wrote:
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> I'd head out on 66 to The Planes, then head a bit
> north onto the back roads. Plenty of places to
> pull off, nobody will bother you, and it'll be
> dark as dark. But it's not gonna be the best
> year.
Theres a a dude from the Smithsonian going to be there for the Persid shower or whatever it is., There out there all the time >"with blankets,lawn chairs,ect". Its out Rt 50, just as bad.
In Fairfax if you could get on top of Mt Murtaugh that would be the best place its at Rt 66 and Ox Road its the highest place in FX CO. Its owned by FXCO. Talk to your supervisor on the BOS maybe they could do something...by the next time Halley's Comet comes thru. so dont hold your breath..It was supposed to be a park but theres a lot of trash trucks or junk parked up there. It does have a stunning view of the county especially to the west, On a clear day you have a grand view of the Blue Ridge down to Culpepper and Way up to Fredrick Md, and To the North the dickerson power plant stack and Sugar loaf.
Sugar Loaf is privately owned by Stronghold, they may be doing something it up 270 though another fine traffic mess
Maybe you can find someplace on Bull Run Mt on the backside of it.
Or any high rise buildings with roof top pools around like up at Bailys, Maybe you could ask around and offer to pay a fee, Dont bring any long packages though.
Night Sky? Wrote:
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> > Isn't Sky Meadows closed after dark?
>
> The website says 8:30 AM - Dusk. I've never
> been-- do they kick people out?
Nope. Those hours are for for the Mount Bleak House the Park Service runs. There are trails and campgrounds all over. Appalachian Trail runs nearby up on the ridge.