Astronomy Night

## Details
Astronomy Night: Waxing Gibbous Moon, Star, and Planet Observation
Join us for a night of star and planet gazing! This event will be held on August 20th, during a waxing gibbous moon providing favorable viewing conditions (weather permitting) to view planets, stars and moon edges! We missed the Perseid Meteor shower on the morning of the 13th, but there will be the Cygnids on August 17th, three days before this event! If anyone would like to go out Monday, please text or call me! - The Cygnids roughly produce 3 meteors an hour (https://starwalk.space/en/news/k-cygnid-meteor-shower).

This is a great chance to meet new friends in their 20s & 30s, enjoy Sarasota's Celery Fields at night, and learn and connect with the sky, stars, and everything celestial!
Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or just looking for a relaxing way to spend a Thursday evening with some friends, this no pressure, no stress event will hopefully increase your awareness and knowledge of the night sky!
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## Event Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, August 20th, 2026
⏰ Time: Meet at 8:00 PM | Stay until whenever.
📍 Meeting Point: Parking lot at the Audubon Society Parking Lot - Celery Fields Sarasota County Park (6893 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34240)
📞 Contact: Allen at 703.447.1969
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## What to Expect:
🌟 New friendships with like-minded astronomy lovers.
🌟 No pressure - no stress event.
🌟 Educational / non-formal talk and discussion about celestial phenomena, the science of astronomy, and astrological story telling.
🌟 View visible planets, stars, and celestial objects through my Celestron Nexstar 8SE Telescope https://astrobackyard.com/celestron-nexstar-8se/
🌟 Fresh air, natural-outdoor setting, and peaceful vibes.
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## What will be provided:

• Celestron Nexstar 8SE Telescope
• Water
• Light Snacks / drinks
• Bug spray
• Astronomical and / or Astrological discussions
• Opportunity to see view and learn about celestial bodies and movements!

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## Inclement Weather:

• Astronomy and stargazing is dependent upon clear skies. If weather forecasting predicts rain or overcast skies, this event may get cancelled or postponed. If inclement weather is in the forecast, I will wait as long as possible to cancel the event. *This might be a game-time decision.* If it is raining, there will be no event, if it is partly cloudy, we might still meet. I will post weather updates here the day of, and then an hour or two before the event.