Clear Nights In Virginia
A documentary short film by Angel Verde
ABOUT THE FILM
Clear Nights In Virginia, follows amateur astronomers as they take their telescopes into public places throughout the commonwealth of Virginia, on clear nights, unannounced, and invites strangers who pass by to take a look at the moon, Jupiter, or Saturn, and documents their reactions and emotions when getting to take a trip into the cosmos. The film hopes to inspire more people in this modern world with countless things vying for our attention, to take more moment to stop, look up, and take in the true dark night sky that is progressively being threatened by light population.
OTHER GOALS OF THE FILM
We hope we can, through the film, find ways to education and encourage more people to education themselves about light population, how to make changes even as small as just around your own home, but also to advocate locally to better protect our night skies for future generations. Light pollution is one of the few types of pollution we could remedy in our lifetime and not have to wait generations to benefit from our efforts. Watch this cool video about a community that did just that in Colorado.
How You Can Help!
We’re bootstrapping this film so any donations, partnerships, sponsorships are welcomed. If you’d like to discuss a more formal proposal or view a film deck, please email us, here.
Otherwise, please just help spread the word and sign up for updates on the project.
Donate!
Our company is producing and editing this film mostly out of pocket. Most, if not all donations will go towards paying for or providing support (meals, gas, lodging, etc) or to give some sort of compensation to thank these talented people for their time. Any donations are welcomed and greatly appreciated.
PROJECT UPDATES
Learn about some of the ‘character’ that are slated to be featured in our film
Darkskies Nelson County
The story behind Nelson County driving visitors to their famous VA route 151 long after the sun sets in 2022 is not at all what you’d expect. The results have proved how much people are craving experiencing the darkest sky beyond their expectation and the faces getting on the night sky bandwagon in this unique patch of the Blue Ridge; from breweries, cabins, astronomy clubs, and a shared state park that is home to one of 5 (and counting) IDA Dark Sky Parks.
The Astronomy Mobile Outreach Vehicle
Roanoke Virginia, affectionately known as the Star City, is home to the worlds largest neon, freestanding illuminated man-made star is almost a case for a bit of irony. Although the city produces far less light than much larger cities, the irony is, be it from the city center, or atop Mill Mountain at the foot of the Star, you’re view of actual stars in greatly diminished. This has not deterred one local amateur astronomer who has been traveling throughout the Roanoke Valley for over a decade in one of the incarnations of his “Astronomy Mobile Outreach Vehicle,” (a converted van or bus) carrying at times, over a dozen telescopes to setup, and perform outreach events for the public.
Take the moon home
You’ll be surprised how many people have never seen the moon through a telescope before. The chorus of wows, oh my gosh, and other jubilant words is infectious. That said, Just documenting peoples reactions is no longer an original concept. So what if you took a telescope to a collage campus quad, gave someone a place to sit, some paper and art supplies, and asked random passerby to draw what they just saw?
More project updates soon!