by lauryn ricketts

While the next two nights will be chilly (temperatures in the lower to upper 20s), high pressure is sitting over top of the Mid Atlantic. This will give way to amazing star gazing conditions, ie- clear skies! Not only will be a great night to view the stars that make up the constellation The Big Dipper, (http://www.earthsky.org/skywatching/) it is a great time to view some planet gazing as well. Mars will be right below the moon just about 30 - 40 minutes before sunrise. Sunrise is at 7:05 AM. You can also take a quick peak at Venus either during the morning hours or the evening hours. http://www.earthsky.org/skywatching/venus-appears-as-both-morning-and-evening-star .

So we have covered stars and planets and when/where you can view them but what about the other objects rotating the Earth? There are hundreds of satellites orbiting the Earth. When can we get a view of them in the Northern Shenandoah Valley? This is an amazing website to let you know exactly when to see this objects and where to look! Enjoy!

http://www.spaceweather.com/flybys/flybys.php?zip=22601