Pride Night at McCormick Observatory
- ALL AGES
Visit the historical observatory to hear a presentation by a guest astronomer and look through the telescope!
Location
Leander McCormick Observatory
600 McCormick Road Charlottesville, VA 22904About this event
- Free venue parking
Celebrate Pride under the stars! Visitors can view celestial objects through the historic 26-inch McCormick Refractor and other smaller telescopes (weather permitting), tour the Observatory, and see the exhibits. We will be hosting a guest astronomer (TBA) for a special pride-related science talk!
Special Guest Speaker: TBA
We are excited to host a guest speaker for this event! More deatils will be announced soon!
Image courtesy of virginia.org
A Note on Pride
We are happy to be able to host this event during Pride Weekend in Charlottesville! This event is open to everyone, regardless of identity. We hope to create a welcoming space to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. The Department of Astronomy and the University follows the Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity policy and Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation policy. Questions about how we are following this policy can be directed to our office by calling 434-924-7494 or by emailing astro_admin@virginia.edu. Questions about the policies as a whole should be directed to the policies' governing offices.
This event is not affiliated with C'Ville Pride. This event was made possible by the Queer Alumni Network of UVA, the LGBTQ Committee of UVA, and the Department of Astronomy at UVA.
Accessibility Notice
Please note that the Observatory is not ADA accessible. There are steps leading to the entrance of the building, and rooms throughout the building are separated by one or two steps. In addition, the restroom is located at the bottom of a set of stairs. If you have questions about this, please contact us directly.
The dome room is a very large space where sounds can echo at high volumes, or words can be difficult to hear. The dome is moved by motors that can become loud. If someone in your group is hearing impaired or sensitive to loud noises, we suggest they come prepared with assistive devices.
Parking
Free onsite parking is available at the Observatory. There are four areas to park, either in gravel or in the grass. Please note, there is a private residence onsite. Please do not park in those spots. At the observatory, they are marked with "No Parking" signs.
From your parking spot, walk around the curve to the front of the Observatory, where you will be greeted by our staff. Your registration will be checked upon entry.
Other Items to Note
- The dome room of the observatory is NOT climate controlled. Whatever the temperature is outside will most likely be the temperature in the dome room.
- To limit light pollution in the area, there are no street lights along the road leading to the Observatory. Along with the trees, it might be difficult to see while driving.
Frequently asked questions
In the event of cloudy or rainy weather, we hold our public night's rainy program. This includes a slightly longer lecture from the astronomer and time to explore the dome room and museum. While you can't look through the telescope, you still get to learn about our facilities and history.
Yes. There is a private road that leads to the observatory, which is available for vehicle parking. We ask that you park perpendicular to the road to maximize space for all guests. You do not need a parking pass.
Please contact the UVA Astronomy Department by calling 434-924-7494 to speak with our administrative staff. Please do not make two separate orders.
Kids are always welcome at Public Nights, and children under 4 do not require a registration. The University of Virginia expects parents or guardians to provide supervision over minors on University property during this event.
As of March 28, 2022, masks are OPTIONAL for people (both UVA staff and visitors) in UVA academic buildings. Some will be available for those who prefer to wear one, but they are not required. Observatory personnel may or may not be wearing masks, as it is up to the individual's personal preference.
Yes- restrooms are available to all visitors. Please note, the restroom is on the first floor of the observatory at the bottom of a steep staircase. Visitors with difficulty maneuvering stairs may have difficulty accessing the restroom.
We ask that all visitors are respectful of the space, which includes limiting the amount of food and drink you bring the the Observatory. Drinks with a lid and food in an closed container are permitted.
In accordance with UVA Policy SEC-028, smoking and vaping is not permitted in or outside the Observatory. Please refer to the policy for more information.
For normal public nights, full-time UVA students do not need to register. However, this special event requires registration.
No. The clear bag policy only applies to large-scale events hosted by the University like sporting events, graduation, concerts, etc.
If you are experiencing symptoms of a virus, we ask that you do not come to the observatory. Please follow the directions on how to return your tickets as described above. UVA is following the CDC recommendations around COVID-19, and more can be found on their website.