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Alachua Astronomy Club, Inc. |  Member Astronomical League |
 Member International Dark-Sky Association |
| Chiefland Observing Site |
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| 29°39' N, 82°21' W Altitude: 50 Meters (more or less) |
Updated Nov. 21, 2008 | ||
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Map to Chiefland Astronomy Village Observing Site
Longitude 29°24.492' North, Latitude 82°51.642' West
Northwest Florida has some of the darkest skies in the eastern USA. Since 1985 astronomers have been using a site six miles south of Chiefland, Florida.
This site consist of a road where all the land is owned by astronomers. Many of the resident astronomers have built their own observatories
Click for larger Florida map
(See detailed maps below)THE CHIEFLAND ASTRONOMY VILLAGE is an astronomy organization dedicated to observing the sky under dark sky conditions. They maintain a site five miles south of Chiefland, Florida.
This site offers dark sky observing under safe and relatively comfortable conditions. Included here is a camp site, a restroom, hot showers, 115VAC availability, and open grills for cooking out. They offer invitations to any organization interested in observing the stars to visit the site. However, they do reserve the right to limit activities on the site.The material below gives some general information, directions and map.
Note: The Chiefland Astronomy Village no longer hosts its two star parties each year. However, The Chiefland Astronomy Village is available to members for observing. See the Chiefland Web Site for a membership application.
[ For more authoritative info, see Chiefland Astronomy Village & Chiefland Observing Calendar ]
Facilities
There is enough room for thousands of astronomers, but no facilities except porta-potties. Camping on the observing field next to your telescope is the normal routine. Motels are available in town for those who wish, along with plenty of restaurants.
- Requested donations are usually $10 registration plus $5 per night per person to help cover expenses.
- No charge for children under 12. You are welcome to attend for just one night or the entire week.
General Information
- Electricity provided for telescopes only. Bring your own extension cords.
- RVs allowed (RVs must use one of the nine 30 amp outlets ONLY) but no hook-ups during the star party due to limited electricity.
- Darkout Rules apply! No white lights anywhere dusk to dawn.
- Motels available in town 8 miles away (see below). If you plan to leave the site before dawn, park away from the observing site with your car headed away from the observing field. No driving on the telescope fields after dark for safety reasons!
- Pets not allowed (please!) during star party week.
- Quiet Time in mornings until noon. Please be considerate of those who stay up observing till dawn!
- The Chiefland Astronomy Village is private property including the main observing field. Please treat it as if it were your own and leave it as you found it.
- Trash should be bagged (please!) And take it with you when you leave. No dumpster facilities are available on site.
See the CAV web site for Detailed Chiefland Astronomy Village Rules.Motels (Call for rates and reservations)
(Manatee Springs or Blue Springs nearby)
- Holiday Inn Express (352) 493-9400
- Best Western Suwannee Valley Inn (352) 493-0663
- Manatee Springs Motel (352) 493-2991
Directions and maps to site from Chiefland, Florida [Lat. 29°24.5'N, Long. 82°51.8'W]
- Click on map to right for larger (16K gif version)
- Go 6.0 miles south on Rt. 19. Turn right first road which is 347.
- Go 2.0 miles to first street and turn left on 330.
- Go 1.0 miles to first street and turn right on NW 50 St.
- Go .25 miles and take the first right on NW 52 Ct.
- Star party is at end of road on left.
Google Map (Letter A on Google Map shows approximate position of new observing field)
From Gainesville, driving time is about 1 to 1-1/2 hours (abt. 40-45 miles).
Other maps from Chiefland Astronomy Village Web Site
Parking lights only after dark, so if you are not familiar with the site, plan on arriving before sunset on your first night.
Airlines
Chiefland is 2 hours driving time from the Orlando airport.
Contact Information
- Tom & Jeannie Clark
5450 NW 52nd Court, Chiefland, FL 32626
352-490-9101 (Tom@amateurastronomy.com)
For information about the Chiefland area, itself, see The Chiefland Chamber of Commerce, The Chiefland Service Guide and Chiefland.com.
For more information on the Chiefland Astronomy Village site, a four page article along with eleven photos was run in the Winter '95 issue (#8) of Amateur Astronomy.
For pictures taken at some previous Chiefland Star Parties and other information see Tim Printy's page.
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