Dark Sky Observation

Dark Sky Observation
(Osceola National Forest)
 30o 20.384' N
82o 18.812' W

The dark sky session for 11/29 has been CANCELED.

Next Scheduled Dark Sky Session(s): 11/29

  • Meet outside Building 50, before 4 PM,
  • or meet at the Exxon gas station (off Marietta exit on I-10) before 4:45 PM,
  • or at the observation site around 5:30 PM.

    Options:
    1. Meet outside Building 50.

    2. Or meet at the Exxon gas station off I-10, Marietta exit, just West of I-295, if you live or work on the Westside. (You should park your car on the grass area opposite Exxon station--to your right when you get off the freeway...)

    3. Or meet at the observation site (make sure you arrive before dark)...
  • Take I-10 West toward Lake City.
  • Get off Exit 327, SR 229--Sanderson, heading north (making a left turn at the Stop sign).
  • ~1 mile, you will get to a stop sign with flashing red light before a railroad track.
  • Go pass the railroad track and make a left turn. Be careful crossing the intersection since it's a two-way stop, not four-way stop.
  • Then make a right turn at the next intersection, SR 229.
  • ~6.5 miles, turn right into a dirt road which is about 0.6 mile after you see (low on the right side) the sign "Osceola Wildlife Management Area", (the first dirt road after you see that sign).
  • Drive on that dirt road for about a mile until you see a turn off (on your right) into a large open area with a pond (or small lake) on your left...
  • Park your car further out if you plan to leave early because there will be people with their telescopes in the dark later in the evening and don't forget to leave your headlights off until you exit the field when you leave at night. Bright headlights can destroy one's night vision!!!

  • If you plan to drive out there directly either by yourself or with someone, please try to arrive before dark so you won't be shining your headlights at other people who are already there.
  • Please bring a red flashlight (not white or blue light from your cell phone) if you plan to write down the information out there in the dark.
  • Bring warm clothes if it's cold/cool outside and bug sprays when it's hot and humid. Also, try to wear shoes instead of sandles/flip-flops when you attend a dark sky session.

     Distance: ~60 miles (from UNF).



    Space view image of the dark site from Google Earth.
    (Click on image for full size.)