Ever notice people looking up at the sky as your driving by... you have to look up to see what they're looking at! Well, there is a big astronomy event taking place in the Florida Keys this week between February 20 - 26th on Scout Key which is at MM 34.5 off U.S. 1 on Scout Key formerly known as West Summerland Key, at Camp Wesumkee, a Girl Scout camp.
As many as 600 amateur and professional astronomers from around the world are to gather in the Lower Keys attracted by the chance for 180-degree viewing of the Southern Cross and other constellations during the 28th annual Winter Star Party. The events primary draw will be the large number of southern constellations, comets, stars and other celestial objects that are visible from the Florida Keys, virtually the only place in the continental US where they can be seen. The Keys southern location and relative absence of large scale artificial lighting at night provide optimal viewing conditions.
The event is hosted by Miami's Southern Cross Astronomical Society (SCAS) founded in 1922. the SCAS is one of the oldest amateur astronomical societies in the Western Hemisphere.
The Winter Star Party is open to the public and registration is required prior to the event. Tickets are not available for sale at the event. So, contact www.scas.org to register and "keep looking up."
Warm regards from the Keys, Judy Cinque
