What is the Southern Cross Astronomical Society (SCAS) at scas.org?

SCAS is a non-profit amateur astronomy organization based in Miami-Dade County, Florida, founded in 1922 and described on its site as one of America's oldest and most active amateur astronomy clubs. Its mission is to promote and advance amateur astronomy for observers of all experience levels. If you are looking for a local club to observe with, learn from, or join, scas.org is the organization's home base.

What SCAS offers

The site organizes its activity around three areas:

• Star parties — monthly observing sessions at dark-sky sites, open to both members and the public. You can bring your own telescope or look through the club's.
• Education — presentations by guest speakers, workshops on astrophotography, and programs aimed at students and beginners.
• Community — a membership of amateur astronomers who share knowledge, equipment tips, and observing experience.

The site also lists scale indicators: 104 years active, 181 events per year, and 12 star party sites.

The Winter Star Party

SCAS's flagship annual event is the Winter Star Party, held under the dark skies of the Florida Keys. According to the site, it draws hundreds of astronomers from around the world and includes vendor exhibits, guest speakers, and observing open to all experience levels.

Who it is for

SCAS explicitly frames itself as welcoming to all experience levels — from people picking up their first star chart to seasoned observers. If you are in or visiting South Florida and want structured access to dark-sky observing, talks, and astrophotography instruction, the club's public star parties and programs are the most direct entry point.

How to get involved

The site's quick links point to four actions:

There is also a contact option for questions. The site does not state membership pricing or whether any activities require login, so check the membership and event pages directly for current terms.