Join us for bluegrass music played by the Jacksonian Music Factory in the Park's amphitheater.

NWFAA provides outreach pertaining to astronomy by setting up opportunities for the publics use of telescopes and educating the community on celestial viewing. Because Henderson Beach has such a low western horizon, they start observing 2 hours prior to sunset and observe the sun until it sets. they provide special equipment to safely view the sun. Once the sun sets, they shift over to nighttime equipment. They generally have 4 scopes at a minimum for observing the nighttime sky.

Join the members of the Northwest Florida Astronomy Association and view the beauty of the universe. We start by setting up just before the sun sets to allow our guest observers to view the equipment and get photos before it gets dark. Once the sun sets, we transition to night time observing. Different size and design telescopes will be set up by dusk and celestial objects will be chosen with an eye to visual observation and variety. The objects visible will depend on the season and time of night but normally include bright galaxies and nebulae, star clusters, and planets. There are a couple of rules that need to be followed so everyone enjoys the event: Please do not touch the telescopes; an errant bump will cause a delay while the object being observed is brought back into view. This is a family event and children are welcome, but since telescopes are by design somewhat delicate and may be expensive, parental control is necessary. For everyone's safety and to minimize the effect on night vision, please, no flash photography. If you want a photo of the equipment please come early enough to get an image before dark. If you bring a flashlight, please use a red filter. While there will be plenty of telescopes available to view through, we invite you to bring your own telescopes/binoculars and join in the fun. Make sure you stop by the welcome table and pick up a free Sky Map.

Come meet the birds at Anastasia State Park, proudly part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail! Join a knowledgeable park volunteer for an informative walk on the beach, boardwalks, trails, and other areas. Participants will observe a diverse variety of seabirds, shorebirds, and wading birds. Open to all birding levels. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, and a field guide if you have one. Meet at the Island Beach Shop & Grill located at the end of the main park drive. *This event is weather permitting and subject to cancellation.

Come meet the birds at Anastasia State Park, proudly part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail! Join a knowledgeable park volunteer for an informative walk on the beach, boardwalks, trails, and other areas. Participants will observe a diverse variety of seabirds, shorebirds, and wading birds. Open to all birding levels. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, and a field guide if you have one. Meet at the Island Beach Shop & Grill located at the end of the main park drive. *This event is weather permitting and subject to cancellation.

Come meet the birds at Anastasia State Park, proudly part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail! Join a knowledgeable park volunteer for an informative walk on the beach, boardwalks, trails, and other areas. Participants will observe a diverse variety of seabirds, shorebirds, and wading birds. Open to all birding levels. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, and a field guide if you have one. Meet at the Island Beach Shop & Grill located at the end of the main park drive. *This event is weather permitting and subject to cancellation.

Big Lagoon State Park along with the Escambia Amateur Astronomer Association would like to invite you to spend an evening gazing at the skies! Clear skies permitting, members of the Association will set up telescopes and binoculars to capture views of the moon, planets, and other celestial objects. The gaze will be held at the Amphitheater, telescopes will be set up on the SE side of the parking area. Please park on the north side of the lot to minimize light pollution and disturbance when coming and going. All participants MUST have entered the park prior to closing time; which is sunset, this time varies throughout the year. The front gates will be locked at that time, and visitors will NOT be permitted to enter the park after closing time. The gazes themselves are free; however normal park entry fees do apply.
NOTE: as sunset times do change throughout the year, please contact the Ranger Station at (850) 492-1595 ahead of time to find out when the front gates will be locking for the evening

Event dates: October 11

Big Lagoon State Park along with the Escambia Amateur Astronomer Association would like to invite you to spend an evening gazing at the skies! Clear skies permitting, members of the Association will set up telescopes and binoculars to capture views of the moon, planets, and other celestial objects. The gaze will be held at the Amphitheater, telescopes will be set up on the SE side of the parking area. Please park on the north side of the lot to minimize light pollution and disturbance when coming and going. All participants MUST have entered the park prior to closing time; which is sunset, this time varies throughout the year. The front gates will be locked at that time, and visitors will NOT be permitted to enter the park after closing time. The gazes themselves are free; however normal park entry fees do apply.
NOTE: as sunset times do change throughout the year, please contact the Ranger Station at (850) 492-1595 ahead of time to find out when the front gates will be locking for the evening

Event dates: September 13, October 11

Big Lagoon State Park along with the Escambia Amateur Astronomer Association would like to invite you to spend an evening gazing at the skies! Clear skies permitting, members of the Association will set up telescopes and binoculars to capture views of the moon, planets, and other celestial objects. The gaze will be held at the Amphitheater, telescopes will be set up on the SE side of the parking area. Please park on the north side of the lot to minimize light pollution and disturbance when coming and going. All participants MUST have entered the park prior to closing time; which is sunset, this time varies throughout the year. The front gates will be locked at that time, and visitors will NOT be permitted to enter the park after closing time. The gazes themselves are free; however normal park entry fees do apply.
NOTE: as sunset times do change throughout the year, please contact the Ranger Station at (850) 492-1595 ahead of time to find out when the front gates will be locking for the evening

Event dates: August 16, September 13, October 11

Big Lagoon State Park along with the Escambia Amateur Astronomer Association would like to invite you to spend an evening gazing at the skies! Clear skies permitting, members of the Association will set up telescopes and binoculars to capture views of the moon, planets, and other celestial objects. The gaze will be held at the Amphitheater, telescopes will be set up on the SE side of the parking area. Please park on the north side of the lot to minimize light pollution and disturbance when coming and going. All participants MUST have entered the park prior to closing time; which is sunset, this time varies throughout the year. The front gates will be locked at that time, and visitors will NOT be permitted to enter the park after closing time. The gazes themselves are free; however normal park entry fees do apply.
NOTE: as sunset times do change throughout the year, please contact the Ranger Station at (850) 492-1595 ahead of time to find out when the front gates will be locking for the evening

Event dates: September 28, October 26