Why do stargazers travel to Costa Rica?
For the same reasons travelers from around the globe journey to this Central American paradise: the inviting tropical climate, spectacular natural scenery, abundant wildlife and friendly, hospitable people.
Join us as we carry on a great tradition: our 15th annual Costa Rica Southern Sky Party, March 10-17, 2018, comfortably based at our private star lodge on the Gulf of Nicoya.
A Perfect Southern Vantage Point
Our Costa Rica adventure is timed to c ...Show more
oincide with both the new Moon and the driest time of year in the western part of the country. This should ensure the greatest possible number of clear, star-filled nights – on a grassy open area of the lodge property that offers unobstructed views of the southern horizon.
At 10° N, our Costa Rican viewing site is 15° farther south than the Florida Keys and even more southerly – by 10° – than the Big Island of Hawaii. Many astronomical highlights that hug the horizon in these popular stargazing locales are 10° to 15° higher in Costa Rica’s southern sky.
Attractively Close to Home
Costa Rica is also a wonderfully accessible destination. Just a 2.5-hour flight from Miami, it’s in the Central time zone, so there’s no grueling flight to endure and no tiresome jet lag to get over before you begin enjoying yourself.
What’s more, our star lodge offers all the amenities to ensure a relaxed, carefree stay – right down to the convenience of North American standard AC power (120 volts, 60 Hz) in your room, so you never have to worry about keeping your gear charged.
A tropical climate, excellent southern-sky views, great accommodations and the company of easygoing, like-minded travelers – what more could you ask of an astronomical adventure that’s remarkably close to home?
Join Dave Eicher to Costa Rica
Chief editor of Astronomy Magazine and our Costa Rica stargazing astronomer
Dave Eicher is one of the most widely recognized astronomy enthusiasts in the world. He has been with Astronomy magazine for 34 years, beginning as an assistant editor and working through associate, senior, and managing positions. He has been the magazine’s chief editor since 2002.
Dave has spoken widely to amateur astronomy groups, logged many hundreds of hours at the eyepiece, and written eight books on astronomy. Among the most used by amateur astronomers are The New Cosmos: Answering Astronomy’s Big Questions, Comets: Visitors from Deep Space, The Universe from Your Backyard, Deep-Sky Observing with Small Telescopes, and Stars and Galaxies. He is currently working on a major book on galaxies.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Starmus Festival, President of the Astronomy Foundation, Editor-in-Chief of the international Asteroid Day project, and very involved in mineralogy, blues and rock drumming, and studies of American history.
During the several trips on which he’s observed the deep southern sky, he’s agreed with an old friend’s pronouncement. It was astronomer Bart Bok who said, “All the good stuff lies in the Southern sky.”
Join us and discover the wonders of Costa Rica and the riches of the southern night sky!
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