Stars In Your Eyes: SouthFlorida.com

Amateur astronomer associations offer stellar evenings for South Florida families

There's so much more to the night sky than meets the eye, and thanks to the several amateur astronomy associations here, South Florida families can see it all for free. Stars, planets and comets - indeed, entire galaxies - are revealed in all their radiant splendor, through the high-tech telescopes provided by these local astronomers, who are willing to share their passion for this hobby - and their telescopes - with anyone interested in attending their star parties.

All you need to do to experience the heavens is show up at one of the public viewing events set up by these avocational stargazers. They provide the rest, including in some instances, slide shows and presentations, constellation facts and even educational computer games to help teach kids and grownups about the vastness of the universe and the impact of space objects, such as asteroids, on our planet. This is an evening of education, discovery and fun that families with children almost any age will enjoy.

A public viewing event generally begins with amateur astronomer group members setting up their personal telescopes in parking lots of select local parks, which they use as their night sky observation area for the evening. As guests arrive, members freely share their telescopes - a rather generous offering considering the costliness of some of this equipment - as well as their knowledge, explaining how to operate the equipment and pointing out the sights of the cosmos.

Don't be misled by the word "amateur." Though part-time and unpaid, these individuals are dedicated to the pursuit of observational astronomy and to the education of the public. Members of astronomical associations range from novice to scientist, school student to corporate executive, adolescent to senior citizen. They come from all walks of life, yet are united by a common factor.

"Everyone has a curiosity for the unknown," says Don Ellington, a member of the South Florida Amateur Astronomer Association. "You don't have to be an astronomer, you just have to tilt your head back 90 degrees." Though not an official group member until a few years ago, Ellington considers himself an amateur astronomer since the age of 9, when he first looked through his dad's telescope.

Now Ellington and others like him spend many a Saturday evening sharing their enthusiasm with both young and old aspiring space cadets. They initially point out the sights that are most obvious - the moon and planets, usually. As viewers become comfortable looking through the telescope lens, guides will point out the endless array of objects otherwise invisible to the naked eye. The thousands of bright, shining "dots" that many a child (and adult) have wished upon, take on a whole new meaning when viewed through a high-powered lens. "When you watch a kid look through a telescope and see something really neat, you just know where the term star-struck comes from," Ellington says.

Weather is a determining factor for most things we do, and stargazing is no exception. Clouds happen, so you should always call ahead or go online to check the viewing conditions to avoid disappointment. During inclement weather, groups will sometimes set up indoor Power Point presentations and slide shows about the universe.

If you're a serious explorer of the universe, a visit to a stargazing event is also a great way to determine the type of telescope you should consider buying. Amateur astronomers are proud of their equipment and urge perspective buyers to ask questions and "test drive" different telescopes before making the investment. A decent telescope will cost about $300-$500.

You don't need to be a member of one of these astronomical associations to enjoy the universe, but families are welcome to become members. Fees are extremely reasonable - about $25 annually for the whole family. So, plan a Saturday night without movies, video games or computers, load the family into the car and head over to one of these stargazing events. Who knows? Your future may be written up there somewhere.

Susan Frasca is South Florida Parenting's editorial assistant. She lives in Coconut Creek.