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Bortle 2 - Florida

Dark Site
Florida / Georgia Imagers •4 replies•96 views
Robert Huerbsch avatar
Robert Huerbsch avatar
Wanted to share a Bortle 2 site in Florida and probably my favorite dark site that I have found so far. Had an incredible view of Omega Centauri in a large refractor there two years ago!

The campground has power, restrooms and camping costs $7/night. No registration, show up and camp and someone will come in the AM to collect. If you bring a long extension cord you can avoid having to use battery power. I like to setup just North of the pier and run an extension cable from the covered shelter.

https://goo.gl/maps/wDiXR1DHrEpFM5LK7

Disadvantages: bad bugs when its not cold and some odd locals.

Another place I want to go is Shell Mound, north of Cedar Key.

https://goo.gl/maps/RzZeLimmy8yBoFBf7
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Uwe Deutermann avatar
Uwe Deutermann avatar
Hi Robert!

Those sites sound/look really cool, and are indeed not that far away. We really have to get some people from this area together for one weekend, that would be great!

Uwe
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Nikolaos Karamitsos avatar
Nikolaos Karamitsos avatar
Hello.
Wow that is just under 3 hour drive from fruit cove. I will be interested in joining you guys.

CS
Nick
Robert Huerbsch avatar
Robert Huerbsch avatar
The other spot that is even closer from Jacksonville is the Okeefenokee Swamp. They have both cabins and campsites available. But it is mosquito hell in late spring thru early fall…

I think the West Coast spots are best for Southern Hemisphere objects like Centaurus A / Omega Centauri since they will be above the ocean with no trees and zero light pollution.

this Saturday is new moon and clear, the Ancient City Astronomy Club will have a star party in the big overflow parking lot of the St. Johns County Fairgrounds. Hope I can make it! But I'm still working on moving my imaging rig to a remote spot near there. My cell is 352-871-5809

https://goo.gl/maps/boEGboi7MX6LKVZU9
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Uwe Deutermann avatar
Uwe Deutermann avatar
This is close by Robert! I do have a little dental surgery tomorrow, but my hope is that I am not hurting much afterwards. I will look up some info about this event and see if I can make it. Would be cool!!