Astrography & Chiefland Astrofest 2025: A Celestial Celebration Under Florida’s Dark Skies

Astrography proudly announces our exciting collaboration with Chiefland Astrofest 2025, one of America's most prestigious dark-sky astronomy events. From October 17-23, 2025, we'll be supporting this exceptional gathering at Florida's legendary Billy Dodd Memorial Field, where some of the nation's finest observing and astrophotography takes place.

The Chiefland Astronomy Village represents the pinnacle of amateur astronomy destinations in the United States. Located just one hour west of Gainesville and two hours northwest of Orlando, this five-acre private observing field offers unparalleled dark skies with a remarkable distinction—it's virtually insect-free during optimal October observing conditions.

What makes Chiefland truly special for astrophotographers and visual observers:

• 360-degree unobstructed horizon for complete sky coverage
• Bortle 2-3 class dark skies recognized internationally
• Perfect October weather: nighttime temperatures 55-65°F, daytime 70-80°F
• Premium facilities including showers, clubhouse, electricity, and RV hookups
• Flat terrain ideal for telescope setup and astrophotography equipment

The site has earned recognition as "one of the best observing sites in the country" and attracts serious astrophotographers and visual observers from across the United States and beyond.

Here are a few moments from last year's edition:

World-Class Educational Programming

Chiefland Astrofest 2025 features an outstanding lineup of expert speakers delivering cutting-edge astronomical education:

Keynote Speaker

Dr. John Panek - NASA Goddard Space Flight Center "The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope". Dr. Panek, a Senior Mission Systems Engineer with 27 years of aerospace experience, will provide exclusive insights into NASA's next flagship mission designed to survey the infrared sky and demonstrate advanced coronagraph technologies for future large-scale missions.

Featured Presentations Include:

• Dr. J. Andreas Howell - "From Pixels to Light Curves: Using Seestar to Observe Eclipsing Binaries" A hands-on exploration of variable star observation using smart telescope technology, perfect for contributing to real scientific research through the American Association of Variable Star Observers.
• Tom Field - "You Can Almost Touch the Stars: An Introduction to Astronomical Spectroscopy". Discover the science behind breaking starlight into its component wavelengths to unlock cosmic secrets.
  
  

We're thrilled to support this exceptional event with museum-quality prizes that celebrate the artistry and science of astrophotography:

• Galactic Center of Milky Way Panorama (87x39 inches): Our gigapixel panorama featuring nearly 4 million stars in unprecedented detail—one of the largest Earth-based views of our galaxy's center ever created. This massive print showcases 50 degrees of night sky in a single breathtaking image
• Enhanced Milky Way Panorama (87x39 inches): Stefan Lenz's stunning ultrawide panorama capturing the breathtaking expanse of our galaxy from horizon to horizon, revealing intricate celestial wonders through advanced photographic techniques
• Five Fine Art Quality Prints (28x20 inches each): A collection of museum-grade prints featuring the cosmos' most spectacular phenomena, printed using our cutting-edge fine art pigment technology—the same technology found in top galleries and museums worldwide.
• Ten Promotional Vouchers: Special discounts providing attendees with exclusive access to Astrography's premium space art collection, helping them bring the wonders of the cosmos into their homes.

The Significance of Dark Sky Preservation

Chiefland's International RecognitionThe Chiefland Astronomy Village has achieved international accreditation as a dark sky site, representing a critical sanctuary for astronomical observation in an increasingly light-polluted world. The community's strict dark sky rules and resident astronomers' commitment to preservation make it unique among American observing locations.

Supporting Astronomical Education

Our partnership with Chiefland Astrofest advances several crucial goals:

• Promoting public astronomy education through high-quality visual resources
• Supporting amateur astronomy communities
• Encouraging astrophotography as both science and art
• Preserving dark sky heritage for future generations