Stokesville Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Beside the George Washington National Forest in Virginia, Stokesville Observatory gives campers and visitors a rare astronomy stop within the Stokesville Campground near Mount Solon.
About Stokesville Observatory
The observatory is owned by H.D. Riddleberger of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and is managed day to day by the nonprofit Shenandoah Valley Stargazers, formed around 2000. It combines a 16-foot-diameter silo-style dome with an adjoining room used for astronomy displays and instructional classes.
Telescopes & research
The main dome, a motorized Ash-style design, houses a 14-inch Celestron Compustar telescope owned by James Madison University and designed with input from the university's Physics Department. The observatory grounds also include a circle of eight powered piers for mounting additional telescopes during events.
Location & getting there
Stokesville Observatory sits within the Stokesville Campground near Mount Solon, Virginia, directly adjacent to the George Washington National Forest.
Visiting Stokesville Observatory
The observatory is used for educational classes and public telescope-viewing sessions organised through Shenandoah Valley Stargazers; check the official website for current schedules before visiting.
See your named star from here
The 14-inch Compustar telescope in the dome here can, like any tracking telescope, be aimed at a specific point in the sky - including the right ascension and declination printed on your star certificate. Browse the full star catalogue to find yours.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check the official website and Google Maps for current times before you travel.
