Winter Star Party, Camp Wesumkee, Scout Key, Big Pine Key, Feb. 23, 2014
Get set for The Winter Star Party! The 30th Annual Winter Star Party is scheduled for February 23 – March 2, 2014 on "Scout Key" in the Florida Keys. Astrophotographers and amateur astronomers often bring their families from across the U.S. and around the globe to make it a truly international event. Southern winter skies are a real treat for our Canadian and northern friends!
This special 7 day long "Stellar Star Party" includes 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! Registration / information kits will be mailed out in early September 2013. Take advantage of earlyregistration. Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dark Sky Festival, 3500 Harmony Square Drive West, Harmony FL, Feb. 28 , 2014
The purpose of the Dark Sky Festival at Harmony is to expose the general public to the marvels of astronomy and the importance of protecting dark skies – not just for astronomy purposes, but also for the values that darkness provides to area wildlife. Our entire family-friendly festival is held outdoors in low light conditions on the streets, sidewalks and park located in Harmony Town Square. Due to Harmony's efforts and the support of the County Commissioners, an ordinance now requires new lighting in the County to be protective of dark skies. In a county that includes portions of Walt Disney World and has extensive brightly lit tourist commercial uses, this was a significant event in itself. In addition, all County facilities were retrofitted to better protect the night sky.
Harmony is an environmentally intelligent community located in Central Florida and was chosen as the site for the Dark Sky Festival for several reasons:
•Harmony Town Square, where the event is held, is in an area rated as Class 4 on the Bortle Scale of Light Pollution.
• The developer has commited to protecting dark skies. For example, all street lighting, any park lighting and other public lighting uses full cut off fixtures. Private residential and commercial lighting is also held to this standard.
•The Central Florida Astronomical Society, Melbourne Astronomical Society, and the Brevard Astronomical Society use Harmony as one of their observing locations in Central Florida. The Harmony Institute, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and the primary event sponsor, is located at Harmony and advises the Harmony developer on lighting and other measures to protect natural systems.
11th annual Dark Sky Festival
Friday February 28, 2014 -and- Saturday March 1, 2014 5 – 10pm