Hanna Park Public Stargazing Saturday 01-28-2023 at Hanna Park ENTER PARK BY 5:30 PM
Stargazing at Hanna Park hosted by the Northeast Florida Astronomical Society [NEFAS]
Get ready to see stars, planets, the Moon, and interesting sky objects. The general public is invited and most welcome!
Location: Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, 500 Wonderwood Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32233
Park entry fee is $5 per car. You must have paid and entered NO LATER THAN 5:30 PM when the gate entrance is closed for the evening. There will not be re-entry once you leave.
Find NEFAS in Parking 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!
Are leashed pets allowed?
Hi Andrew,
Pets are a problem for other star gazers and the telescopes; even when they are leashed. They can bump into people or telescopes ,and cause damage to them. The equipment is expensive and hard to replace currently. That is why we do not encourage their inclusion to a star gaze.
John Viescas, Director at Large of NEFAS
Can you see the stars in the sky without any equipment at the Hannah Park Star Gaze? I’m asking because I typically see no stars when around other parts of Jacksonville at night.
Hi Sara,
Yes you can see some stars from Hanna. It has fairly dark skies, though we have better sites if you wish to see a lot of stars.
If you wish to really see the Milky Way galaxy fairly well, we have a dark sky site for which we have observing sessions. We
call them “observing sessions” because we sometimes have astrophotographers show up and take pictures. Because of that, and because the detrimental effects of white light (exposure requires a full hour for eyes to become dark adapted, and see all that is possible), we have a red light only usage, or previous notification so steps can be taken to avoid problems. Also, observing sessions may be called off due to bad weather or lack of interest. The latter may be avoidance of low or hot and steamy
temperatures. It is recommended that at least two vehicles be used in case of minor or major emergencies (like getting stuck or health emergency).
All those answers are available at the web site from the home page at the bottom of the page.
Keep looking up!
Director of NEFAS
Would Hanna Park be a good spot to try and see Comet 2022 E3 ZTF?
Nicole,
I wouldn’t saY IT IS A “good” spot, but a “fair” spot to view the comet. You would most likely need binoculars to see it.
Director of NEFAS
Is there a way to formally sign up for this event? 🙂
No, you have to pay the park entrance fee, then just show up!
John V., director of NEFAS
Is there an event around the orionid meteor shower Halley’s Comet tonight or this weekend? If not is there a good place to observe in jacksonville?
Hi Amy,
No, there was not an event. We announce events either in our calendar on our web site, or in the NEFAS public Facebook page. Look there to see if we have anything planned.
Thanks,
J.V. director at large of NEFAS
Hi! Mind if I join your crew tomorrow? I’m in Jacksonville because there’s a cargo flight of my astronomy books going to Latin America tomorrow as part of the Passageflight initiative.
John,
All are welcome. You will have to pay the park entrance fee, then just show up!
John V., director of NEFAS
It was great to meet you, John!
Can I send your club a complimentary copy of 110 Things to See with a Telescope to go along with the Dobsonian that Lisa was using?
Please reach out to me at John@LearnToStargaze.com
Cheers!
John
Hi John,
That should not be a problem. I believe the club has a P.O. Box where you can mail things. If it is electronic, send it to nefasdirector@gmail.com
Thanks,
John V.
Is there an event scheduled for Perseids right around green corn moon?
We don’t because it’s at full moon. No point. You can’t see much of anything in the way of meteor showers during a full moon.
Director of NEFAS
Is this a monthly event? I’d like to plan to attend in September
Toni,
Yes, if you go to our calendar of events, you can see every star gaze at Hanna park is scheduled monthly. We show up just as long as no nasty weather, like a hurricane or severe thunderstorm, does not occur.
John V., Director of NEFAS
I just heard about the one at Fort Clinch in Fernandina. I would love to join if you would come up here more. So many dud not know till afterwards. Was it in eventbrite or allevents on facebook?
I just heard about the one at Fort Clinch in Fernandina. I would love to join the society if you would come up here more. So many dud not know till afterwards. Was it in eventbrite or allevents on facebook?
Ft. Clinch was a somewhat restricted event. As I understand it, the park had to turn some people away as there were already 400 folks that wanted to attend it. I can attest to the amount since I had one of the NEFAS scopes there. It is why we have the monthly star gaze at Hanna park. The public has to pay the park to get in, but looking through the scopes is free. Sometimes we go to some of the other parks in the area, like Little or Big Talbot Island state parks, though one of them cancelled it. It might be best to lobby your parks so they know how popular our star gazes really are. Attendance is what they are all about. Come to think of it, it was Little Talbot Island.
J.V., director at large of NEFAS
Is this evening a go for star gazing?
Bob,
NEFAS has an agreement with the park whereby a star party is only canceled under sever weather, like a hurricane, where public safety must be observed. Otherwise, come rain, shine, or snow?? we are there.
director of NEFAS,
John V.
Is July 9th still going forward ? We recently purchased a Celestron NexStar 5, and would love to bring it, still learning?
Bob,
See my previous answer.
John V.
Yes, we do. Just check with our calendar on the website nefas.org
I would like to be a member. Could you send me a phone number where I could contact someone to get information?
Are you going to have any star gazing in August.?
Maria,
The web site nefas.org contains a calendar of events. Hanna is a once a month star gaze. NEFAS does not have a phone number, but if you have PayPal, you may join online under the membership tab of nefas.org, where you can find lots of information concerning the club and the benefits of membership.
director of NEFAS,
John V.