Star Party at Lake Wauberg with the Alachua Astronomy Club
March 10, 2018
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Limit 250 Participants
Free for members of Friends of Paynes Prairie
$3 Per Person for Non-members
Online Registration closes at Noon on Saturday 3/10/18
Become a member HERE
Pets are NOT permitted at this event.
Enjoy a family-friendly evening under the stars at Paynes Prairie and learn more about the night sky. Astronomy Club members will provide the opportunity to view objects through their telescopes, and talk with you about what you may see. Relax at the end of the new fishing pier on the lake with a great view of the stars. You are welcome to bring your own camp chair. Hot cocoa will be available for everyone - to cut down on waste, feel free to bring your own reusable cup.
To improve the visitor experience at this event, we are limiting participation to 250 people, but will offer this event numerous times throughout the year. This will be the first of many as we partner with the Alachua Astronomy Club to make Paynes Prairie one of your go-to star-viewing destinations. Please be patient with us during this first event, and look forward to more dates being advertised this year. If you'd like to learn more about the Alachua Astronomy Club, or get involved in their organization, visit their website HERE.
This is a weather-dependent event. We will make a determination if it's a "GO" or "NO GO" by 12:00 PM Noon on the day of the event. The Ranger Station will be notified of the status immediately when the determination is made. The phone number for the ranger station is 352-466-3397. In event of cancellation, we will also email registrants at the email address provided with their registration.
The star party will be held in the recreation area by Lake Wauberg at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Enter the park at the main entrance in Micanopy, off US 441. The event area will be in the parking lot by the lake, at the end of Puggy Road. You will be parking along the side of Puggy Road and walking into the event area. Please be prepared for low-light conditions, especially when leaving the event, as the sun will set shortly after 7 pm. A tram will also be available for transportation between parking and the event area. You are encouraged to bring a flashlight for walking to and from the event area, but please be prepared to turn your flashlights off when in the event area with the telescopes.
