First Quarter Moon Star Gazing Party Returns to the Fruit & Spice Park
(MIAMI, January 21, 2014) – Astronomy buffs are invited to the First Quarter Moon Star Gazing Party on Friday, February 7, 2014, from 7 pm to 10 pm, at the Fruit and Spice Park. The Fruit and Spice Park is located at 24801 SW 187 Avenue in Homestead. Organized by the Southern Cross Astronomical Society and the Fruit and Spice Park, this free event features the first quarter moon, where Bright Jupiter will be visible with its four closest satellite moons dancing around the King of the Planets. Outer planets Uranus and Neptune may be visible in the southwest in telescopes, and Mercury will shimmer low in the southwest. Ruddy Mars may be visible in the east just before closing time. The beautiful Great Orion's Nebula and star clusters will accent the blazing winter night sky.
Guests can also enjoy a moonlight tram tour of the park, a campfire and a petting encounter with the Rare Arctic Wolf. The Southern Cross Astronomical Society will have hi-tech telescopic equipment to guide patrons through an exploration of the stars. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs, and their own marshmallows to roast over the campfire. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Admission is free. Doors open at 7 pm and close at 10 pm. For more information, please call the Fruit & Spice Park at 305-247-5727.
The Fruit & Spice Park, operated by the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, grows more than 500 varieties of sub-tropical fruits, herbs, spices, vegetables and nuts from around the world on 39 lush acres in the agricultural Redland. The park offers daily botanical tours, fruit tasting and naturalist led workshops. For more information, please visit www.fruitandspicepark.org, or call 305-247-5727.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.