GREEN LASERS ARE PROHIBITED AT ALL SCAS EVENTS!
Due to recent national events, it has become necessary for the Southern Cross Astronomical Society of Miami, Florida, to completely ban the use of green laser pointers at SCAS sponsored events. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY (January 2005) any use of such devices (hand-held or attached) at SCAS Star Parties, the Winter Star Party, or any other SCAS public event SHALL BE PROHIBITED. Violation of this restriction will result in the immediate expulsion of the offending party from the SCAS event.
Tim Khan, SCAS Vice- President / Director of the Winter Star Party
"Looking Back to the 25th Annual Winter Star Party"
Six Grand Door Prize Winners!
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Arlene Loewenstein |
Christine Sokolowski |
Al Hamrick |
Ron Smith |
Harry Gelblat |
George Korody |
Ioptron Mini Tower Goto alt/az mount with accessories, tripod & Voyager 4.5 software, Laser Pointer from Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLP |
Astro-Tech AT6RC Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph from Astronomics |
80mm F/6 ED AP OTA Telescope w/case & accessories from Explore Scientific |
Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope from Celestron |
Meade 8" LX90GPS w/tripod from Meade Instruments |
FLI ML8300 (8mp) CCD Camera with special "WSP" engraving from Finger Lakes Instrumentation |
The 25th ANNUAL WINTER STAR PARTY
February 21 - March 1, 2009
The 25th Annual Winter Star Party was held from February 21 - March 1, 2009 at Camp Wesumkee, Florida, an 11 acre girl scout camp located on West Summerland Key (a.k.a. "Spanish Harbor Key") in the Florida Keys. Astrophotographers and Amateur Astronomers brought their families from across the U.S. and around the globe to make it a truly international event. Southern winter skies were a real treat for our Canadian and northern friends!The special 8 day long "Stellar Star Party" (two extra days of observing added just for the 25th WSP) included vendors promoting their latest products for amateur astronomy, nationally recognized guest speakers, a popular "Kids Kamp", mirror-grinding lessons, the ever popular door prize giveaway on Friday afternoon and much more!
The Annual Winter Star Party
Established in 1984, the Annual WINTER STAR PARTY is held in the Florida Keys, and hosted by the Southern Cross Astronomical Society (SCAS), Inc., of Miami, Florida.
During a new moon week each February, amateur astronomers from around the world travel to the warm subtropics of the Florida Keys to enjoy nightly observing in 360º of clear steady night skies, exchange information and advice on the hobby, meet SCAS members and distinguished guest speakers, shop for astronomical equipment from the finest vendors in the country, participate in photo contests & workshops, go sightseeing in the "Conch Republic", and record the awesome beauty sparkling in the southern night skies.
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2009 Speaker Biographies
We had a fantastic lineup of nationally and internationally recognized speakers for the 2008 WSP. You can read their biographies by clicking on the link below.
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2009 T-Shirt Design
Judy Elkins out did herself again with a fabulous logo design for our 2008 T-Shirt! See it below on the following link.
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2009 Vendors and Door Prize Sponsors
We had many vendors and door prize sponsors participate in the 2008 Winter Star Party. Click on the links below for a list of Vendors and Sponsors.
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2009 Door Prize Winners
Click on the link below to see the 2008 Door Prize Winners List.
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2009 Astrophotography Contest Winners
Click on the link below to see the 2008 Astrophotography Contest Winners List
2009 Astrophotography Contest Winners
Click here to see all the great astrophotographic work done at the 2009 WSP!
