Blue Ridge Heritage, Inc. (BRHI) invites the community to join in an up-close look at constellations and planets of the Milky Way on Friday, March 3, from 6-8 p.m., at a free event at 902 Rock Castle Gorge Road, Floyd, 24091.

Denny Casey, Virginia Museum of Natural History director of education and public programs, will be pointing a telescope skyward and lending understanding to what’s in view.

Star-gazers should be able to see Mars and a waxing crescent moon; and depending on the horizon, Venus and maybe Uranus. Winter constellations such as Orion, Taurus, and Gemini and some deep space objects like the Andromeda galaxy, the Great Orion Nebula, and the Pleiades may also be viewed.

In the event of clouds, the event will be rescheduled for March 10. Everyone is encouraged to dress for the weather and bring a flashlight.

BRHI (brheritage.org) is working to promote education and economic development through place-based programs related to the natural and cultural heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Floyd and Patrick Counties. This is accomplished through two avenues: to establish an education center on the BRHI property and to serve a gateway into the bi-county area by promoting businesses and attractions of interest to local residents and area visitors.