Jeremy,

I lived on the NE side of Orlando, and I'm not sure what areas on the
E side are left with all the growth. But a couple that used to be
pretty good were Ft Christmas and a little park/boat ramp on SR 50 out
past Bithlo. Ft Christmas closes at sunset, but they used to allow
people to park in the field along the drive into it for events like
this. I recommend that you give them a call and ask. Another
possibility is Harmony near St Cloud. You can also check with the
Central Florida Astronomical Society and the Brevard Astronomical
Society, both are listed in the "Links" section of Southern Nights.

Laurent


--- In Southern_Nights@yahoogroups.com, "Jeremy" <rydgen@...> wrote:
>
> Good evening,
>
> As many of us are probably aware, the Perseid shower is upon us the
> evening and morning of Aug. 12-13, as well as part of a total lunar
> eclipse the early morning of Aug. 28. Also, I just read at Space.com
> that the Aurigids will be unusually spectacular in the early morning
> of Sept. 1.
>
> Now, I have been using my girlfriend's house for viewing sky objects
> because it is in the earstern outskirts of Orlando and relatively the
> darkest place I have access to, over by the Avalon area. I was
> wondering if anyone could share some great public places open at
> night that offer very dark skies and a safe environment in which to
> enjoy skywatching around Orlando. I am certain that many others who
> view these boards would also be appreciative of this helpful
> information.
>
> Thank you, and happy viewing!
>
> -jeremy
>
> links:
>
> Perseid shower -
> http://www.space.com/spacewatch/070712_perseid_meteors.html
>
> Total lunar eclipse -
> http://www.space.com/spacewatch/070720_ns_eclipse.html
>
> Aurigid shower -
> http://www.space.com/searchforlife/070809_seti_aurigids.html
>