Entry No. 18 — the Miami file — filed under: observatory
D'Auria Observatory — Southern Cross Astronomical Society
A dark-sky field station out past Homestead's farmland with a 'warm room' that has a shower, microwave, and Wi-Fi, plus tent and RV camping spots so members can chase the whole night's sky without driving home.
The story
Drive south past Homestead's sprawling avocado groves and nursery rows until Miami's neon skyglow finally recedes. You're looking for an unassuming dark-sky field station off SW 217th Avenue—the D'Auria Observatory. Dedicated in honor of astronomer Matthew "Tippy" D'Auria, the property is run by the Southern Cross Astronomical Society, an outfit that has been tracking the tropical overhead since 1922.
Unlike urban stargazing decks hemmed in by city light, this patch of farmland sky is intentionally maintained for long-exposure astrophotography, deep-sky research, and recording faint nebulae. Because pulling faint galaxies out of the night sky takes all evening, the grounds are rigged for endurance: there are tent and RV spots on site, plus a field station "warm room" equipped with Wi-Fi, a microwave, and a shower so members can track deep-space targets straight through until dawn.
What it's like
Arrive right around dusk during scheduled viewing nights, which typically run until 10:00 PM. The vibe on the field leans heavily into amateur science culture—society members set up custom telescope rigs and are usually glad to show off deep-sky objects if you follow strict dark-sky etiquette. That means absolutely no white lights or bright phone screens; bring a red-lens flashlight or red-filtered screen if you don't want to ruin everyone's night vision. Mosquitoes out past the agricultural fields are aggressive, so wear long sleeves and bring serious repellent.
The move: Pitch a tent, watch the ISS streak overhead at dusk, then spend the night hopping between members' telescopes for galaxies and nebulae until the New Moon Star Party winds down around 10:30pm.
- 📍 Homestead
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 23325 SW 217th Avenue, Homestead, FL 33031
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Coral Castle — Pair night-sky gazing with a trip to see Edward Leedskalnin's hand-carved, 1,100-ton limestone monument seven miles up the road.
- Wild Night: Night Tour — Zoo Miami — Combine deep-space astronomy with an after-dark guided walking tour of nocturnal animals ten miles north.
- Sadowski Viewing — Southern Cross Astronomical Society Observatory — If you want a suburban park setting with the club's massive 18-inch Dobsonian scope instead of rural field camping, check out their Saturday viewing deck in Palmetto Bay.
Good to know
Is the observatory open to the general public?
Public observing sessions are held from dusk until 10:00 PM on designated event nights, though overnight camping and full warm-room access are reserved for society members.
Do I need to bring my own telescope?
No. Members set up their own scopes and gear on the field and routinely let public visitors peek through their eyepieces during public viewing hours.
What should I pack for a star party?
Bring a red-lens flashlight to protect your night vision, bug spray for the farm grounds, lawn chairs, and layers in case the open field gets breezy.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: scas.org · nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov · ocala.com
last checked: 2026-07-19