The Fairfax County Park Authority and the Analemma Society have decided to temporarily pause public programming at Observatory Park at Turner Farm. The last public programs before the pause were he Lunar Eclipse Observing event that occured early Friday morning 1-5am and the free Friday Night Observing on March 14 from 7:30-9:30pm.

As many of you know, we have had overwhelming crowds to observe the moon, planets, and cosmic wonders.  A typical Friday nigh has had more than 100 visitors and and on occasion, have had more than 250 visitors, all eager to view the night.

We need a pause in operations and work with Fairfax County Park Authority to determine the best way to share the roles and responsibilities of handling such large public crowds. Therefore we are temporarily pausing Friday Night Public Observing and Parktake Classes held at the Roll-Top Observatory at Turner Farm.

Think of this as "Spring Cleaning" where Analemma Society and the Park Authority have the opportunity to do maintenance to the building facilities, telescopes and classroom.  Jointly we will provide staff and volunteers training for skills in everything from telescope operation to safety and management.

Both the FCPA and Analemma Society are committed to the future of Observatory Park and providing exciting new opportunities for all of us and for the public.  Our mission to provide science education through astronomy has not changed and we expect to be back by early summer with even better programs and opportunities to see the heavens.

See you soon under the stars.

Craig Anderson
President
Analemma Society