Southern Cross Astronomical Society

Southern Cross Astronomical Society The Southern Cross Astronomical Society (SCAS), was originally founded in 1922 as the Southern Cross Observatory. It's founder, Mr. S. Later, Mr. When Mr.

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The Southern Cross Astronomical Society (SCAS), originally founded in 1922 as the Southern Cross Observatory, is one of the oldest amateur astronomical societies in the Western Hemisphere. Lynn Rhorer, established the first observatory with his 5" Clark refractor at the Royal Palm Hotel & Park near the Miami River. He attracted a growing group of amateur astronomers who of

fered free viewing and instruction to the public. The renowned astronomer, Dr. Harlow Shapley, visited the new observatory and marveled at our view of the constellation Crux, The Southern Cross, and suggested this name for the newly formed observatory. Rhorer added more telescopes and invited leading astronomers to Miami to present public lectures. Rhorer died on April 21, 1929, his will directed that a nonprofit public service corporation be formed to receive all the equipment from the observatory... thus "The Southern Cross Astronomical Society Inc." was formed. Shortly thereafter the Society moved the observatory to Brickell Park, just south of the Miami River. It's popularity grew in the 1930s as thousands came to peer through the SCAS telescopes each week. In October 1955 the Society was invited to move into the new Junior Museum of Miami on S. Bayshore Drive. The Society's first project was the construction of a permanent observatory. Later, the Society and other groups lobbied the Dade County Commissioners for a science museum. In 1960, The Miami Museum of Science opened it's doors. Every week for the next 26 years Southern Cross Astronomical Society volunteers introduced thousands of visitors to astronomy from the observatory atop the Miami Museum of Science,and offered classes and monthly public meetings all free of charge. In 1986, the Southern Cross Astronomical Society was invited by Dr. John Sheldon and Dr. Kenneth Hardy of Florida International Universityto relocate to their Physics Department, University Park Campus, 1400 S.W. 107 Ave. This presented a great opportunity for the Society to become associated with a major state university, hold meetings in a central and spacious facility, and benefit from ongoing F.I.U. science research well into the 21st century.

08/15/2026

 Today, Saturday, August 15 there will be no Star party at either location. Check back with us next week. 

Eclipse pictures from SPAIN by Carlos Garcia.
08/12/2026

Eclipse pictures from SPAIN by Carlos Garcia.

Carlos is in Valencia Spain for the total solar eclipse tomorrow, August 12th. Using the Dwarf Labs Mini smart telescope...
08/11/2026

Carlos is in Valencia Spain for the total solar eclipse tomorrow, August 12th. Using the Dwarf Labs Mini smart telescope with solar filter to capture the eclipse. He is practicing the day before and capturing the sun with a time lapse photo capture on the dwarf mini. 

08/11/2026

Southern Cross will not have any meeting or viewing for the meteor shower on August 12. But you can observe and enjoy the meteor shower by going to a dark site. Two sites that we like are the Kirby Storter roadside Park on Tamiami Trail the other is Everglades national Park. 

Key Viewing Tips
Look slightly away from the radiant: While the meteors originate in the northeast, staring directly at Perseus will actually yield shorter trails. Stargazing about 30° to 45° away from the constellation (toward the zenith or east/north) lets you catch meteors with much longer, more dramatic tails.
Scan the whole sky: You don't need special equipment or pin-point precision. Lie on a reclining chair or blanket on your back facing northeast to east, and take in as much open sky as possible.
Peak hours: Activity increases significantly after midnight and reaches its height in the pre-dawn hours, as Perseus rises higher in the sky and your side of Earth rotates directly into the meteor stream.

08/08/2026

Due to cloudy conditions tonight, August 8, there will be no observing at either one of our locations. Typical summer weather patterns. Please check back with us next week. 

08/01/2026

Today, Saturday, August 1 there will be no Star Party. The weather is not favorable with these typical summer cloud and rain conditions. Check back with us next week. 

Our star aka The Sun. Image taken July 28 by former Southern Cross Astronomical Society, President, Dr. Lester Shallowa...
07/29/2026

Our star aka The Sun. Image taken July 28 by former Southern Cross Astronomical Society, President, Dr. Lester Shalloway.  

This is the famous Elephant Trunk nebula, IC 1396, in the constellation Cephus about 2400 light years away from earth. ...
07/27/2026

This is the famous Elephant Trunk nebula, IC 1396, in the constellation Cephus about 2400 light years away from earth. Captured by SCAS member Carlos Garcia using his remote Seestar S50 smart telescope located in the Big Bend Dark Sky region of far West Texas.

07/25/2026

There will be no Star party tonight July 25 due to cloudy conditions. Check back with us next week.

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23325 SW 217th Avenue
Homestead, FL
33031

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