Astronomy Night

## Details
Astronomy Night: Waxing Gibbous Moon, Star, and Neptune Observation.
Join us for a night of star and planet gazing! This event will be held on September 25th, during a waxing gibbous moon providing favorable viewing conditions (weather permitting) to view Neptune at Opposition: Neptune reaches its closest and brightest point to Earth for the year, shining at its maximum visibility, which requires a capable telescope to spot the distant blue dot. [1, 2]

The full Harvest Moon (the closest full moon to the autumnal equinox - September 22) will occur the following night on September 26th.

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 Friday 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: Friday, September 25th, 2026
⏰ Time: Meet at 8:30 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.