SWFAS offers stargazing at Bowditch Park
When is the last time you took a while to look up at the thousands of twinkling lights that make up our night sky? The new concessioners at Bowditch Point Regional Park and the Southwest Florida Astronomical Society are teaming up to offer the public a special stargazing program in Bowditch Park located at the very northern tip of Fort Myers Beach. The program will be held in the park’s amphitheater on the evening of Friday, April 29, from 8:30 to 10 p.m. and will include tips on viewing and improving your view of the night sky, informative discussions on just what you’re seeing out there, and of course the wonder of actually looking out into the vast carpet of stars that make up our near-by universe.
“We picked this week because it will give the local kids who are on Spring break something special to do,” says John Paeno, one of the partners in the concession. “The Park offers an excellent venue for stargazing because it is several miles from the lights of Sanibel and the Punta Rassa areas and the amphitheater is shielded from lights of Fort Myers Beach buildings by a sand hill and dense foliage.”
“Saturn should be well placed for observing that night,” points out SWFAS President Brian Risley. He added, “the late moon rise makes for optimum viewing; the darker the better for stargazing.” You do NOT need a telescope for viewing the night sky, but there will be telescopes available for viewing. “Someone is always happy to share the view of the night sky with you,” Risley said.
There is no charge for the program; however, parking is $1 per hour or up to $5 for the day at the park. The Lee County Parks and Recreation parking sticker is valid at Bowditch. The presentation is subject to weather, but just because there are clouds over one location doesn’t mean it’s cloudy on the Beach. Call 463-0300 for updates if the weather appears to be a factor. Insect repellant is recommended.
Bowditch Point Regional Park is located on the end of Estero Boulevard at the northern tip of Estero Island. The concessioners offer both free and paid nature and historical programs, kayak rentals, guided trips, instruction and sales, fishing tackle rental and sales, guided fishing trips, beach chair and umbrella rentals, and sundries. Their Cast Iron Café offers breakfast and lunch daily. Visit www.bowditchpark.com for more information. The 17-acre park includes a gopher tortoise refuge, resident osprey, views overlooking the sea grass meadows complete with dolphin and wading birds, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, showers and of course, a stunningly beautiful beach.
The Southwest Florida Astronomical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing astronomy and the wonders of the night sky to the public. The group meets the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Calusa Nature Center Planetarium at 3450 Ortiz Ave in Fort Myers. They regularly assist schools, scouts, libraries, parks, churches and other organizations with programs and public observing events. More information is available at their website: www.theeyepiece.org
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