CFAS Observing Sites
CFAS Dark Sky Observing Sites
Harmony Site
The Harmony Dark Sky Observing site is located in the Harmony community development southeast of St. Cloud, Florida. Working with the Harmony Institute that is committed to preserving the dark skies, CFAS is allowed to use an undeveloped section of the area for astronomy viewing during new moon weekends. Arrangements have been made to extinguish security street lights in the area during observing sessions. The public is invited to these sessions which are posted on the CFAS calendar. This location has very dark south skies to the east and south. The Orlando area light dome does limit viewing to the north and west. The site has limited electric power for telescopes, but a 50 foot extension cord is needed to reach the viewing area from the power panel. Rest room facilities are available on the golf course near the viewing location.
The site is located at Lat: 28° 12’ 16.91’’N, Long: 81°8’ 4.67’’ W.
CFAS members are asked to sign up in advance on the observing Forum. This allows Harmony security to be advised and the street lights be turned off for the outing. If arriving after dark ensure headlights are turned off when approaching the site.
Ocala National Forest Site
The Ocala Dark sky site is located at the old Navy range station off of Florida highway 19 some 13 miles north of Umatilla, Florida and a mile south of Florida Highway 40. There are signs for a US navy facility marking the road to the site (NFS road 524). CFAS has an agreement with the National Forest service to have private access to this area on specific new moon nights. The agreement requires that a porta-potty be available on viewing nights. Telescopes are set up in a large paved area. No elecricity is available, however some members bring small generators. Seeing conditions are good with views to the east and south being the best. The Ocala light dome interferes with views to the northwest.
CFAS members are asked to sign up in advance on the observing Forum. This allows the CFAS Ocala site member to make arrangements for the porta-potty. If arriving after dark ensure headlights are turned off after passing the new Navy facility on the left.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve Site (KPP)
The KPP dark sky site is located at the KPP Florida campground. CFAS uses this excellent facility for its two annual star parties held in the Spring and Fall during the new moon. The camp ground is located off of US 441 some 25 miles northwest of Okeechobee, Florida. Take county road 724 west off of US 441, and follow the signs some 13 miles to the campground. This is an excellent dark sky site that is on par with the state's best areas. The camp ground offers water and electricity hook up sites with showers and rest rooms available. Besides the 12 new sites built for astronomers there are many additional ones available in a wooded area. Florida park fees are required. http://www.floridastateparks.org/kissimmeeprairie/default.cfm
CFAS reserves camp sites in advance for the star parties. Check the Astrofest Forum for reservations.
Robinson Observatory
Through a special agreement the Robinson Observatory on the UCF campus is available for use by CFAS members who become certified operators. CFAS has enjoyed a long relationship with the Robinson observatory. See this link for details: http://www.physics.ucf.edu/observatory.php. Recently the observatory was upgraded with a 20 inch Ritchey-Chretien telescope and Mathis instruments German Equatorial mount and completely automated control system for both the telescope and the observatory dome. Telescope observing is only through CCD imaging. Members wishing to become qualified operators and assist in the Visitor Open House program and/or scientific research can apply through the Robinson forum. This program is just starting up, and additional information will be posted on the Robinson Forum. The long term goal is to make the telescope available for CFAS members for their own projects. CFAS members would submit their project for approval to the UCF Observatory director. Once approved the member would be assigned specific observing times.
The observatory is located at the south eastern side the UCF campus on Neptune Drive.
Clear Sky Clock: http://cleardarksky.com/c/RbnsnObFLkey.html
POC: Ray Jones; rgjones@earthlink.net ; 407-221-6779(c)
Robinson Observatory
The UCF Robinson Observatory is in need of Observatory operators to assist in their public viewing program.
This viewing program that is open to general public is also a part of the undergraduate astronomy program. Enrollment in the general astronomy course is now up to 4,000 students per semester. Each of these students is usually expected to attend one of the viewing sessions. To meet these demands the university runs weekly viewing sessions, alternating between Wednesday and Thursday nights.
The opportunity to become observatory operators has been extended to CFAS members as long as they are willing to assist in the viewing progam.
If you are interested in becoming part of this very rewarding program and/or have further questions please contact me at raygjones@earthlink.net.
Training will take place during scheduled viewing sessions, and will be limited to 2 CFAS members at each session. Training will start later in January. Training will be conducted on the open house viewing dates posted on this site: http://planets.ucf.edu/observatory/openhouse. CFAS members go to the Robinson Forum to sign up and receive training dates.
Once the new CFAS/UCF Agreement is approved qualified CFAS Observatory operators will be able to schedule observing time on the telescope in addition to assisting with UCF astronomy research projects.
Ray Jones
