WEST SUMMERLAND KEY, Florida Keys - As many as 600 amateur astronomers from around the world are gathering in the Florida Keys through Sunday, Feb. 10, attracted by the chance for 180-degree viewing of the Southern Cross and other constellations during the 24th annual Winter Star Party.

The star party is at Camp Wesumkee, the Girl Scout camp on West Summerland Key, mile marker 34.5 off U.S. Highway 1.

The Winter Star Party's primary draw for astronomers is the large number of southern constellations, comets, stars and other celestial objects that are visible from the Florida Keys - virtually the only place in the continental United States where they can be seen.

The gathering is hosted by Miami's Southern Cross Astronomical Society. Founded in 1922, the SCAS is one of the oldest amateur astronomical societies in the Western Hemisphere.

As well as enjoying nightly stargazing opportunities, Winter Star Party participants can attend lectures and presentations by nationally recognized astronomers and guest speakers, purchase everything from telescopes to astronomy-themed T-shirts from on-site vendors showcasing products for amateur astronomy, participate in photo contests and workshops, compete for door prizes, take mirror-grinding lessons and exchange information with fellow astronomy aficionados. In addition, a popular "Kids Kamp" is to offer daily hands-on activities for children.

Scheduled speakers at the 2008 Winter Star Party include photographer, astronomer and volcanologist R. Scott Ireland; former editor and publisher of "Amateur Astronomy" magazine Tom Clark; telescope maker and astro-photographer Sheldon Faworski; astro-photographer and Star Party Director Tim Khan; telescope maker and leading astro-imager Brian Lula; solar system research and planetary photography expert Dr. Donald C. Parker; and Star Party founder Tippy D'Auria, an international lecturer and astro-photographer.

For more information about the 2008 Winter Star Party, and dates of the 2009 event, visit the SCAS Web site at www.scas.org.

For information about accommodations in the Lower Florida Keys, call the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce at (305) 872-2411 or (800) 872-3722. Accommodations information also is available on this Web site.