On April 18, 2025, the stars aligned—literally and figuratively—for an unforgettable night of stargazing inside the historic walls of Fort Clinch. Hosted in partnership with the Northeast Florida Astronomical Society (NEFAS), our annual Astronomy Night once again drew a fantastic crowd. With 314 attendees—including Friends of Fort Clinch members and their guests—the event was our biggest yet!
In the spirit of giving, attendees also brought along 278 pounds of canned goods and non-perishable items for the Barnabas Food Bank. Thank you to everyone who donated!
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect—clear skies, a comfortable 72 degrees, and not a cloud in sight. Even better, the moon took the night off, giving everyone a beautifully dark sky ideal for spotting deep-space wonders. Mars shone bright in the sky, visible to the naked eye, and telescopes pointed toward Jupiter and its four Galilean moons were a major hit. One of the evening’s highlights was the Orion Nebula—often mistaken for a star in Orion’s “sword,” but actually a massive cloud of gas and dust where stars are born.
The crowd favorite? David Whatley’s laser-guided “Sky Tour,” which captured the imagination of both kids and adults. Dave shared constellation myths and stories, like how Orion met his end at the pincers of a scorpion, and how Zeus flung the bears—Ursa Major and Ursa Minor—into the heavens by their tails, stretching them into the familiar “dippers” we know today. The audience loved it, and the Q&A was full of curious and enthusiastic young astronomers in the making.
NEFAS volunteers were thrilled with the turnout, calling it their biggest and favorite event of the year. While Fort Clinch may be close to town, the thick walls of the fort help block out light pollution, making it a surprisingly great spot for viewing the night sky—especially looking east over the water.
A huge thank-you to everyone who came out and made the night such a success. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
If you’d like to learn more about NEFAS, check them out at nefas.org. They also host monthly public astronomy events at Hanna Park in Jacksonville. And here’s a cool perk: NEFAS members can borrow loaner telescopes before investing in their own gear—perfect for beginners looking to explore the stars without breaking the bank.
