Partnerships

We partner with a number of local organizations to foster outreach and promote the night sky. These include:

Belk Observatory

Located in the Claytor Nature Center, Belk Observatory is owned and operated by the University of Lynchburg. A number of our club members have served as docents at the observatory in the past, and the club participated at monthly Open Houses in the past. Unfortunately, the nature center and observatory are closed to the public at present. The club is involved in negotiations with the university and other area organizations to try and re-establish public programming at the observatory in some fashion.

Libraries

The club has partnered with area libraries to provide basic telescopes that can be checked out just like a library book. The basic, entry-level scopes are a great way for adults and kids alike to try astronomical observing, without having to purchase expensive gear first. Participating libraries include Bedford (Central), , Forest, Lynchburg (Main), and Campbell County (Alta Vista). They are popular items, and there's frequently a waiting list for them. Check with your local library to see about availability.

In 2024, we expanded this program with the addition of six new telescopes to additional libraries. Four have been deployed to Charlotte Courthouse, Appomattox, Farmville, and Buckingham, and the remaining two will be deployed soon. The club has purchased an additional telescope, to use in servicing and repairing the original telescopes, as well as some telescopes originally donated by other clubs. We are also offering updated training on the telescopes to library staff.

We are also exploring possible daytime astronomy programming with various libraries for library patrons.

Randolph College 

The club participates in the annual SciFest event hosted each spring by the college, and hosts star parties at the Winfree Observatory, located on the college campus.  Scheduled events are listed on the the Upcoming Events page, and more information about events at Randolph College can be found here. 

James River State Park

James River State Park is an IDA-certified Dark Sky Park, with some of the darkest skies in Virginia east of the Blue Ridge. Our club, along with several others, host Dark Sky Observing events at the park throughout the year. The park also hosts a 2-night star party each November, with dozens of amateur astronomers and scopes from an a number of clubs participating. Info on astronomy-related events at the park can be found on the Upcoming Events page.