Down a luminary-lit path in Paynes Prairie Saturday night, the Alachua Astronomy Club set up high-powered telescopes to show guests whichever constellation, nebula or planet they wanted to see.
More than 200 Gainesville residents gathered at the ninth annual stargazing event organized by the Friends of Paynes Prairie, a public charity group that raises money for the park.
Perran Ross, the group’s president, said the profits from the $5 entry fee directly benefit the park.
“We raise funds through events like this one and numerous other activities,” he said, “and we disburse those funds back to the prairie to help them with things like resource management facilities.”
Despite cloudy weather, participants found ways to enjoy the evening, which included live music, a bonfire and a hayride through the park.
Gainesville resident Justin Telle, 10, listed all the things he liked about the event.
“It was really cool. I liked the hayride and the camp with the horses,” he said. “I liked the music and the telescopes where you get to see Jupiter and the four moons. The hot chocolate and s’mores were really good.”
Matt Bledsoe, a Paynes Prairie assistant park manager, said the event benefits not only benefits the park but also the community. It provides an avenue to fundraise for the park and educate those who attend.
Whether participants learned from the astronomy club or took a hayride to learn about park history, “it’s a good partnership (among) the astronomy club, the Friends of Paynes Prairie and the park,” Bledsoe said.
[A version of this story ran on page 5 on 2/3/2014 under the headline "Astronomers unite: Paynes Prairie hosts stargazing night"]
