2017 Big Cypress National Preserve Night Sky Outing, Saturday, March 25

Summary: The 2017 Big Cypress National Preserve night sky outing, the last astronomy program of the 2016-2017 season, takes place Saturday, March 25, at 8 p.m.

Milky Way, undaunted by scattered clouds, over Big Cypress National Preserve, southwestern Florida; Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, 20:33:24: TierraLady, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Flickr

The 2017 Big Cypress National Preserve night sky outing, the last of four astronomy programs during the 2016-2017 winter season, happens Saturday, March 25, at 8 p.m.

The ranger-led astronomy program features an interpretive program and constellation tours. Also, weather permitting, telescope viewing offers spectacular glimpses of stars, galaxies, nebulae, planets and star clusters. Big Cypress National Preserve’s astronomy programs are conducted at the preserve’s green-designed Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center, located at the southern end of Seagrape Drive. If weather obstructs night sky viewing for the preserve’s astronomy programs, presentations may be held in the welcome center’s auditorium.

The National Park Service joins with the Everglades Astronomical Society, the International Dark Sky Association-South Florida and the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association in conducting the evening astronomy programs. The first three astronomy programs of the 2016-2017 winter season were scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016; Saturday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, at 7 p.m.

Located about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of Miami, Big Cypress National Preserve comprises 290,000 hectares (716,605.6 acres; 2,900 square kilometers; 1,119.69 square miles) in southern Florida. Despite the preserve’s location in southern Florida, where east and west coasts display extensive urban development, Big Cypress National Preserve offers darkened night skies with clear, naked eye visibility of the Milky Way and of thousands of stars.

Prestigious recognition of the preserve’s emphasis on protecting night skies has come from the International Dark Sky Association (IDA). Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, the international association aims for conservation of darkened night skies and promotes eco-friendly outdoor lighting initiatives. The association’s Dark Sky Places program comprises five types of designations: International Dark Sky Communities, International Dark Sky Parks, International Dark Sky Reserves, International Dark Sky Sanctuaries and Dark Sky Developments of Distinction.

In a news release dated Oct. 31, 2016, Robert “Bob” DeGross, chief of interpretation and public affairs at the preserve, and Dr. John Barentine, IDA’s program manager, announced designation of Big Cypress National Preserve as an International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). To qualify for the designation, the preserve’s maintenance team assessed and retrofitted hundreds of lighting fixtures.

The achievement pairs Big Cypress National Preserve with central Florida’s Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (KPPSP) as the Sunshine State’s two International Dark Sky Parks. Both designations were achieved in 2016.

In a news release dated Jan. 6, 2016, the International Dark Association announced the designation of the 54,000 acre (21,853.025 hectares; 218.53 square kilometers; 84.375 square miles) state park as Florida’s first International Dark Sky Place. The news release noted Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park’s pioneer status as “the first Florida state park to build an astronomy pad dedicated to observing the night sky.”

The designation of International Dark Sky Park garners for Big Cypress National Preserve elite status as the first of the United States’ 19 national preserves to receive Dark Sky Park accreditation. Additionally, Big Cypress is honored as the first National Park Service (NPS) unit east of Colorado to achieve the designation. Moreover, the designation places Big Cypress as only the 16th of the National Park Service’s 413 units to earn the designation.

The takeaway for the 2017 Big Cypress National Preserve night sky outing on Saturday, March 25, is that, as an International Dark Association-designated International Dark Sky Park, the national preserve offers star-studded astronomy programs under protected, darkened night skies.

Contact details:
Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center
33000 Tamiami Trail East
Ochopee, FL 34141

Direct questions to: (239) 695-1149 or (239) 695-1164

website: https://www.nps.gov/bicy/index.htm

“visitors enjoying the night sky at Big Cypress National Preserve”: Big Cypress National Preserve Florida, Public Domain, via NPS Big Cypress National Preserve

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Milky Way, undaunted by scattered clouds, over Big Cypress National Preserve, southwestern Florida; Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, 20:33:24: TierraLady, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/tierralady/8351744875/

“visitors enjoying the night sky at Big Cypress National Preserve”: Big Cypress National Preserve Florida, Public Domain, via NPS Big Cypress National Preserve @ https://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/astronomy-programs.htm

For further information:

“Astronomy Programs.” National Park Service > Big Cypress National Preserve Florida > Plan Your Visit.
Available @ https://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/astronomy-programs.htm

“Big Cypress Becomes First U.S. National Preserve to Earn Dark Sky Park Accreditation.” International Dark-Sky Association  > Dark Sky Places. Oct. 31, 2016.
Available @ http://darksky.org/big-cypress-becomes-first-u-s-national-preserve-to-earn-dark-sky-park-accreditation/

“Big Cypress National Preserve (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/bigcypress/

DeGross, Bob. “Big Cypress Recognized as International Dark Sky Place.” National Park Service > Big Cypress National Preserve Florida > Learn About the Park > News Releases. Oct. 31, 2016.
Available @ https://www.nps.gov/bicy/learn/news/big-cypress-recognized-as-international-dark-sky-place.htm

“Frequently Asked Questions.” National Park Service > About Us.
Available @ https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/faqs.htm

The International Dark-Sky Association. Fighting Light Pollution: Smart Lighting Solutions for Individuals and Communities. Mechanicsburg PA: Stackpole Books, 2012.

Marriner, Derdriu. “Australia and Eurasia Have 11 International Dark Sky Parks for Starers.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/11/australia-and-eurasia-have-11.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Gabriela Mistral Dark Sky Sanctuary Marks First IDSS Anniversary.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/08/gabriela-mistral-dark-sky-sanctuary.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Star-Filled Four Corners States Claim 16 International Dark Sky Parks.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016.
Available @ http://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/11/star-filled-four-corners-states-claim.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “United States Has 30 International Dark Sky Parks as of October 2016.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016.
Available @ http://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/11/united-states-has-30-international-dark.html

Shoewe, Tawnya. “Bob DeGross Named Next Superintendent of Voyageurs National Park.” National Park Service > Voyageurs National Park Minnesota > Learn About the Park > News Releases. Oct. 24, 2016.
Available @ https://www.nps.gov/voya/learn/news/bob-degross-named-next-superintendent-of-voyageurs-national-park.htm