SCAS CELEBRATES
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF ASTRONOMY OUTREACH & PUBLIC EDUCATION IN SOUTH FLORIDA
1922 - 2022
WE ARE ASTRONOMERS OF SOUTH FLORIDA
The mission of the Southern Cross Astronomical Society is to improve the awareness, understanding, and enjoyment of astronomy.
We are dedicated to making astronomy available to the public by providing free telescope observing, educating through lecture presentations, encouraging research, and promoting a respectful attitude about light pollution, because a beautiful starlit sky belongs to everyone.
- Duke N. Dayton, Former SCAS President
Local Events
THE D'AURIA OBSERVATORY IS OPEN EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT THAT THE SKY IS CLEAR. THE OBSERVATORY HOURS ARE 6 PM TO 10 PM. BILL SADOWSKI PARK IS OPEN EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT AS WELL WITH THE SAME HOURS. WHEN VISITING EITHER OF OUR FACILITIES, PLEASE USE CARE WITH YOUR HEADLIGHTS AND DO NOT POINT THEM AT THE OBSERVING AREA. FOR D'AURIA PLEASE BACK IN A SPACE OUT FRONT AND WALK IN. PLEASE CHECK OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR ANY CANCELLATIONS TO OUR PROGRAMS.
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Stargazer
Leo, the Lion, is almost directly overhead April evenings. With its distinctive sickle-shaped asterism, Leo contains the bright Regulus (Alpha Leonis). Ancient Greeks and Romans associated Leo with the Nemean lion, killed by Hercules as part of his 12 labors - with a hide impenetrable by iron, bronze, or stone, Hercules strangled the great beast after unsuccessfully trying to reason with it. Ancient Egyptians worshiped Leo as the place where the Sun rose after creation.
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Winter Star Party
The 42nd Annual Winter Star Party dates are set: Feb. 16th to Feb. 22nd, 2026 REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 1st The Winter Star Party "WSP" is a serious event designed for amateur astronomers. WSP is held annually, usually during the new moon in February. The event is unique in that it occurs mid-winter during the height of the Florida Keys tourist season. 2023 Winter Star Party Recap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5eZfLi-esM
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