🔭 Stargazing at Big Cypress: Jupiter, Venus & the Spring Night Sky

Please Read ALL details below!

Please only sign up if you plan to attend- space is limited .

Join us for an evening under the stars at Big Cypress National Preserve. The park hosts a ranger-led Night Sky Program featuring a constellation tour and, weather permitting, telescope viewing of planets and other celestial objects.

⏰ Time

Meetup group meets at 8:00 PM
Night Sky program begins at 8:30 PM

Please arrive on time by 8pm so we can secure parking and walk to the viewing area together.
Any member arriving late will be on their own.
Punctual arrival is required for this event.
📍 Meeting Location

Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center
33000 Tamiami Trail East
Ochopee, FL

The stargazing program takes place behind the visitor center at the end of Seagrape Drive.

🌌 What We May See

If skies are clear, we may see:

🪐 Jupiter – often the highlight of the evening and spectacular through a telescope, sometimes with its moons visible.

✨ Venus – one of the brightest objects in the sky shortly after sunset.

🌙 A thin crescent Moon, only a few days after the new moon.

We may also spot familiar constellations including Orion, Sirius, and the Big Dipper as the sky transitions from winter into spring.

🎟 Cost

Free and open to the public.

🪑 What to Bring

• Lawn chair or blanket
• Bug spray
• Water
• Optional: binoculars or a red flashlight

Telescopes are usually provided by the park or astronomy volunteers, but feel free to bring your own if you have one.

⚠️ Weather

Stargazing depends on clear skies. If the sky is heavily overcast, viewing may be limited.