Stargazing at Hanna Park hosted by the Northeast Florida Astronomical Society [NEFAS]
Get ready to see stars, planets, the Moon, and interesting sky objects — and our Sun!
NEFAS will be there the whole day! The general public is invited and most welcome!
Location: Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, 500 Wonderwood Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32233
Fees:
Park entry – Ticket required for early bird entry 6AM – 8AM (early bird tickets may be purchased in sets of $50)
$3 per pedestrian and bicyclist 8AM to close
$5 per car (up to six people) 8AM to close
NOTE: Entry fees can be paid by cash, credit card or debit card Early bird passes required for entry from 6AM – 8AM, prior purchase required!
You must have paid and entered NO LATER THAN 7:00 PM when the gate entrance is closed for the evening for the night stargazing session. There will not be re-entry once you leave.
Find NEFAS in Parking Lot #8. An alternate site will be the Lake parking area opposite lot #8. Limit your use of vehicle headlights whenever possible during stargazing hours. Bring red lights if you have them.
There are restrooms, water fountain, but few lights. You may wish to bring a flashlight for the restrooms. Consider bug spray in case it is needed, but be mindful of any insecticide overspray that may reach telescope equipment and apply in another location.
All NEFAS volunteers bring their personal stargazing equipment and will instruct guests how to look at the sky objects safely without damage. Adults may need to assist children.
If you are considering purchasing a telescope this is an opportunity to examine several different types and sizes of telescope – ask lots of questions!
If you are having trouble with your own telescope, bring it along and one of our Telescope Doctors will take a look at it.
Sometimes cloudy conditions make it unfeasible to stargaze. NEFAS members WILL BE AVAILABLE regardless of inclement weather (Unless it snows!)
We hope to see you there!
Anybody at Hanna Park . 16:43
Carl,
Sorry about getting back to you so late. It is very difficult to update or reply to the website from a mobile device. This message didn’t get to me until last night. The club is very heavily involved with facebook. Most always you can get ahold of someone there on short notice. Sorry again.
Is this a camping all nighter or can you leave the park at some point during the night?
Hi Angie. Sorry I din’t get back to you in time on this. Hanna Park observing sessions are from about 7:30 in the summer until we get clouded out or whenever everyone leaves. After you enter the park before dark you can stay at the viewing area. The exit gates will open when you leave. After dark you cannot get back in. If you wish to camp you must arrange it with the park itself. Camping is like $30.00 a night. Again, my apologies for not getting back to you sooner. For some reason our software didn’t send me a message that I had comments here.