Recent News


SCAS CELEBRATES ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF ASTRONOMY
OUTREACH AND PUBLIC EDUCATION IN SOUTH FLORIDA

                                    1922 - 2022

 

Have you registered for our WINTER STAR PARTY 2024?
Our SCAS Website has the current information:  www.scas.org   

 

Change of Officers

Treasurer, Victoria Van Ryn has retired from her position along with her husband, 2nd Vice President, Steve Van Ryn.
Both Vickie and Steve served on the SCAS Board of Directors for over 20 years and were instrumental in the aquistion and development of the
D'Auria Observatory property. Steve was also "Electrician Extraordinaire"  for the Winter Star Party, keeping the power flowing from 2002 till
the eventual destruction of the buildings and infrastructure on Camp Weesumkee by Hurricane Irma in 2017.
We wish them well on this new chapter of their lives and thank them for their outstanding service to SCAS.

A TRIBUTE TO SCAS  LIFE  MEMBER  MIKE  MOONEY
 

IN  MEMORIAM

MICHAEL C. MOONEY was born October 24, 1938 to Virginia and George Mooney, Mami, Florida.

His mother taught high school math and his father was on the survey team that excavated the Tamiami Trail Highway in the 1920s. Mike spent many boyhood summers with his family in the Florida Keys. Mike graduated as a National Merit Scholar from Miami Senior High School. He received scholarships from national corporations and General Motors. Mike graduated from Georgia Tech in 1958 with a Masters degree in Engineering. Later he received his Ph.D in math at LSU.  Mike was employed by an engineering firm in Coral Gables for several years. He became a supervisor of the atomic clock at the former U.S. Naval Observatory and satellite dish on Richmond Drive. 

Mike was a member of the Native Plant Society for many years. He participated in their annual events at the historic Doc Thomas House S. Miami, Fairchild Botanical Garden and Bill Sadowski Park.

He was a member of the Southern Cross Astronomical Society and served on the SCAS Board of Directors for more than 30 years and was awarded a SCAS Life Membership. He enjoyed participating in solar events at the Annual Fairchild Garden Ramble and ZooMiami and star parties at the Fruit & Spice Park,, Chekika site in Everglades National Park, D'auria Observatory, and Saturday evenings at Sadowski Park.

Mike participated in the week-long Annual Winter Star Party in the Florida Keys for at least 30 years. 

He was a staff member at Saturday evening public star parties at the SCAS Observatory on the roof of the former Museum of Science and supervised SCAS satellite occultations from the Science  Museum  roof and was involved in the SCAS Basic Astronomy Course at the Science Museum. He was instrumental in the installation of the wooden fence that shields headlight intrusion onto the SCAS deck in Sadowski Park.

In the past, following frosty winter evenings at Bill Sadowski Park, several of us would head to the local Dunkin Donut Shop. Often we would be captivated by his descriptions of the night sky in Roman and Babylonian times. He could name every star in the seasonal night sky.

Mike was a quiet intellectual, humble, reliable, independent, always a gentleman, with an incredible memory and a love for astronomy that many never knew.  I enjoyed his weekly phone calls from the retirement center that usually lasted an hour and included a play-by-play description of a recent Miami Dolphins football game plus updates from his Science Magazines.

When his calls stopped in mid-October I learned he was in a hospital ICU and not expected to live due to complications from a cardiac/lung   condition. 

His sister Barbara, in Atlanta, claimed "A great mind has left our planet".  Mike you will always be with us. 

                                                             

SCAS REOPENED BILL SADOWSKI PARK FOR PUBLIC OBSERVATIONS ON OCTOBER 16TH.
PLEASE JOIN US ON SATURDAY EVENINGS WHEN THE SKY IS CLEAR.
HOURS ARE DUSK TO 10 PM.

MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE AS PER CDC RECOMMENDATIONS  OTHERWISE IT IS AT YOUR DISCRETION WHETHER OR NOT YOU CHOOSE TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

SCAS REOPENS THE D'AURIA OBSERVATORY EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT STARTING JULY 1OTH.
PLEASE JOIN US ON SATURDAY EVENINGS WHEN THE SKY IS CLEAR.
THE OBSERVATORY HOURS ARE 6 PM TO 10 PM

MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE AS PER CDC RECOMMENDATIONS  OTHERWISE IT IS AT YOUR DISCRETION WHETHER OR NOT YOU CHOOSE TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

PLEASE PARK OUTSIDE OF THE OBSERVATORY AND WALK IN UNLESS YOU ARE BRING YOUR OWN TELESCOPE AND A MEMBER OF SCAS WILL GUIDE YOU ONTO THE FIELD. BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT IS PREFERRED SO YOUR HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT SPRAYED ACROSS THE OBSERVING. FIELD.PLEASE OBSERVE WHITE LIGHT DISCIPLINE WHILE VISITING THE OBSERVATORY. PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED HOWEVER PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF THE OTHER OBSERVERS WHEN USING YOUR FLASH.

KEEP WATCHING OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES AND ASTRONOMY NEWS.

 

 

2021 Virtual Winter Star Party:
February 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th
from 7 pm to 11 pm.

 

The 37th Annual Winter Star Party Virtual Edition will be simulcasted on several platforms.
Search your platform of source

 

WSP YouTube Channel
WSP Facebook Page
SCAS Facebook Page
The Astronomical League Facebook Page
Mt. Wilson Facebook Page
explortescientific.com/live
Explore Scientific Facebook Page
Explore Scientific Twitter Page
Explore Scientific Twitch Page
Scott Roberts Facebook Page - Scott in Space
cloudynights.com

2020 WINTER STAR PARTY

The Southern Cross Astronomical Society would like to thank all of our patrons, vendors, manufacturers, speakers, and volunteers for making the 36th Annual Winter Star Party a huge success.
The weather was amazing with clear skies 4 out of 5 nights. Higher than normal winds rattled the bigger scopes and gave the imagers a few interesting moments but all in all a beautiful week on the Florida Keys.
We are already looking forward to next year and the 37th Annual Winter Star Party scheduled for February 8th through the 14th, 2021.

Special thanks go out to our onsite astronomy vendors for providing our guests with an outstanding variety of the latest high tech equipment and technical services.........

Newcomers to the Winter Star Party,
Cliff Whitney of Atalanta Hobby and Greg Bragg w/ Celestron/Skywatcher.

Jeff Norwood , Camera Concepts and Telescope Solutions.
Jen Winters, Daystar Filters.
Tom Peters, Disc Mounts.
Scott Roberts, Explore Scientific.
Dirk Kreissig, InfniTees
Pok Sun Glatter representing Starlight Instruments.
Richard Wright, Software Bisque.
Yuri Petrunin, Telescope Engineering Company
"Uncle" Al Nagler, Televue Optics

We also thank all of our vendors and manufacturers who donated goods and services to our door prizes...........

Amateur Astronomy Magazine
APM Telescopes
Atlanta Hobby
Bob's Knobs
Camera Concepts and Telescope Solutions
Celestron
Daystar Filters
Disc Mounts
Dorothy O'Neal
Explore Scientific
InfiniTees
Oberwerk
Okie-Tex Star Party
Orange Blossom Star Party
Peach State StarGaze
Pok Sun Glatter
Simulation Curriculum (Sky Safari Pro / Starry Night)
SkyWatcher
Software Bisque
Starlight Instruments
Telescope Engineering Company
Televue Optics
Ursa Major
Willman-Bell Publishers

Last but not least we especially thank G.C. and the gang at Mickies Kitchen for the excellent food, service and of course the brownies!!

Once again, SCAS thanks you from the bottom of our hearts for your attendance, generosity, and comradery.
Always remember, there is never a bad night under the stars.............
See you next year,

Sincerley,
Russ Brick, President
Southern Cross Astronomical Society
Vendor Coordinator
Winter Star Party


 

Public Star Parties Dusk-10:30 p.m. Saturdays all year:
D'Auria Observatory, 23325 SW 217 Ave. Homestead 33031
Bill Sadowski Park, SW 176 St./SW 79 Ave. Palmetto Bay 33157
FIU Observatory SW 109 Ave./SW 8 St. W. Miami

For more information send an email to mail@scas.org or follow us on FaceBook.


SCAS Public Events

SCAS free Program: FIRE IN THE SKY at FIU has been CANCELLED.


SATURDAY STAR PARTIES 8 p.m. FREE
FIU Observatory behind the Chem.-Physics Bldg., Main Campus SW 109 Ave./SW 8 St. Miami-Dade
D'Auria Observatory 23325 SW 217 Ave. Homestead 33031.
Bill Sadowski Park & Nature Center SW 176 St/SW 79 Ave. 33157.
NO white lights, lasers, litter, alcohol or pets at all public star parties. 305-661-1375 southerncrossastronomyfacebook www.scas.org


SOLAR VIEWING RETURNS TO ZOOMIAMI

On selected Saturdays or Sundays during the coming year, weather permitting, come see SCAS free, safe solar viewing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., near the ticket entrance at ZooMiami. 12400 SW 152 Street. The Sun is in its quiet time but a sudden fiery prominence can always appear. Students interested in solar energy may benefit by this program



NEW MOON STAR PARTY
SATURDAYS DURING THE NEW MOON


D'Auria Observatory dusk-10 p.m. 23325 SW 217 Ave. Homestead. SCAS hi-tech equipment will be focused on deep sky objects.

Bring chairs, binoculars, dysfunctional telescopes, bug repellent.

The D'Auria Observatory will be open every Saturday night that the sky is clear. The observatory is located at 23325 SW 217th Ave, Homestead.

No white lights, lasers, litter, pets, or alcohol at our SCAS Star Parties.

Please be reminded that there is no public vehicle traffic permitted in the observatory property. Park outside with your headlights towards the road so there will be no light splash onto the observing field. When you walk thru the gate, please be mindful of the other guests and astronomers observing and imaging so no cell phone flashlights. Pictures are permitted but please ask first.

SCAS membership information- please contact barbyager@aol.com


MATTHEW "TIPPY" D"AURIA

It is with great sadness that the Southern Cross Astronomical Society announces the passing of Matthew "Tippy" D'Auria, lifetime member and founder of the Winter Star Party. Tippy was a rare treasure. His love of astronomy and his passion for research, education and public outreach was a brightly shining star in our hobby........he will be greatly missed.
Tippy was either a friend, mentor or an inspiration to all who knew him or met him. Our little part of the world will just not be the same without him.
Our sympathies and our prayers are with Tippy's wife Patty and their family in this time of great sorrow.

Memorial services for Tippy were held at the Florida National Cemetery located at 6502 SW 102nd Ave. Bushnell, Florida 33513. (305)-793-7740.
Tippy's wife Patty has asked that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Southern Cross Astronomical Society.

Rest in peace old friend


BLOGS from the Local Group

Please take a few moments to read this wonderful article in this month's Astronomy Magazine, online, written by Micheal Bakich.

http://cs.astronomy.com/asy/b/astronomy/archive/2018/08/01/tippy-d-39-auria-passes-away.aspx


SOUTHERN CROSS SATURDAY STAR PARTIES
WEATHER PERMITTING

SCAS FREE STAR PARTIES at dusk
Every Saturday night that the sky is clear, all year long.

D'Auria Observatory
23325 SW 217th Ave.
Homestead, FL 33031

Bill Sadowsky Park
17555 SW 79th Ave.
Palmetto Bay, Fl. 33157
305-661-1375

Bring family, friends, faculty, students, future astronomers, chairs, binoculars, telescopes, bug repellent, jackets, and dress appropriately. Tour the dark, winter star-studded sky in SCAS hi-tech equipment. No white lights, lasers, litter, alcohol or pets. Park in the parking lot and walk over to the observing pad.
Please watch our Facebook page and our website for all future events, updates, and cancellations.


SOUTHERN CROSS ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS
THE NEW MOON STAR PARTY

WEATHER PERMITTING

Each month on the Saturday closest to the new moon, come to our New Moon Star Party from dusk till 10 p.m., at the D'Auria Observatory, hosted by Southern Cross Astros.
Hi-tech SCAS equipment will be focused on the stars, planets, and deep-sky wonders that our southern skies have to offer. The D'Auria Observatory is located at 23325 SW 217 Avenue, Homestead, 33031. Please remember to park outside the gate and walk in. For your safety and ours, there is no public vehicle traffic permitted on the field. We also ask that you refrain from using any white light source to preserve everyone's night vision. Alcohol or pets are a no-no at the observatory. Due to safety and federal laws, LASERS are only permitted to be used by members of the Southern Cross Astronomical Society public outreach team.
For information call 305-661-1375 or 305-439-1351. All cancellations will be posted on the SCAS Facebook page prior to the start of any star party.

SADOWSKI PARK WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING THE NEW MOON STAR PARTY!


 

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