Location, location, location. This maxim isn’t only reserved for real estate, but also holds true for vendors at star parties. This year, Astronomy holds another great position at the Winter Star Party (WSP). Best of all, right next door is Tele Vue ’s booth, commanded by the company's founder, Al Nagler. For amateur astronomers, the name “Nagler” is synonymous with “high- quality optics.” Nagler’s latest masterpiece, the Ethos, has been the rage...

The Southern Cross Astronomical Society is the gracious host of the Winter Star Party (WSP). Many folks you run into at the WSP come from this group or another of the several astro communities throughout Florida. However, participants aren't limited to the Sunshine State. Walking through the camping grounds, you find flags celebrating astronomy groups from California to Connecticut. Among the parked cars, license plates range from Quebec to Texas...

Yesterday, I left Wisconsin and the promise of 10 inches of snow for the Florida Keys and the promise of sunny skies, 78°, and the Winter Star Party (WSP). After landing in Ft. Lauderdale, I trekked down state highway 1 for several hours to West Summerland Key and the WSP site. For the entire trip, the sky was filled with fluffy whiteness. Fortunately for WSP attendees, the clouds parted and the richness of the clear sky glowed overhead. I’m off to...