January 24, 2005 - An Evening Under the Stars at the Oxbow Eco-Center

'The Cosmos’ ... ‘The Great Mystery’ ... for thousands of years, the wonder of the heavens has fascinated people throughout the world. Even today, with all our technology, there is still so much to learn about our universe and it remains a source of great fascination for people young and old.

Join the Oxbow Eco-Center on Friday, January 28th at 6:30 p.m. for an evening under the stars, as the Treasure Coast Astronomical Society takes us on a journey through the universe. The club’s Outreach Coordinator, Patty Mayer will teach us about the stars we see and illuminate some of the mysteries behind the cosmos. Part of the fun of stargazing is learning about the stories surrounding the great unknown that have been passed down through generations and cultures. These stories give us insight into some of our earliest ancestors. Following the presentation, you’ll be invited to do some actual stargazing with members of the club using high-powered telescopes, giving you breath-taking views of the night sky.

Feel free to bring your binoculars or telescopes and a red-light flashlight for this nocturnal adventure. In addition to stargazing, visitors will be guided along Oxbow Eco-Center trails to listen for local nightlife such as bats, owls and frogs. “Part of the fun of having nighttime events is that visitors and staff alike get the opportunity to experience nature from a nocturnal point of view,” says Wren Underwood, Program Coordinator for the Oxbow. “This often means using senses other than our vision… a fun challenge since people tend to rely heavily on their eyesight.”

All this hoopla is part of Oxbow Eco-Center’s seasonal night hike series, called “Eco-Fridays”. These events are free and take place the last Friday of each month, January through April. For more information contact the Oxbow Eco-Center at 785-5833.