The Southern Cross Astronomical Society was founded by American amateur astronomer, S. Lynn Rhorer (b. Feb 14th, 1870) who's life mission was dedicated to "bringing the stars to the man in the street". Sometime in 1922-1923 he visited Miami, Florida and he decided that the tropical skies and the unusual climatic conditions made it an ideal spot for popular education. He chose the historic and luxurious Royal Palm Hotel & Park near the Miami River to establish an observatory with his 5-inch Alvan Clark refracting telescope.
Rhorer's observatory attracted amateur astronomers who offered free viewing and instruction to the public. The Director of Harvard Observatory, Dr. Harlow Shapley, visited the new observatory and marveled at the view of the constellation Crux, The Southern Cross. He suggested the name "Southern Cross Observatory" for the newly formed facility.
With the growing popularity of the Southern Cross Observatory, Rhorer was granted permission by the authorities to move the telescope to Brickell Park in Miami where as many as 2000 people would stand in line each night starting at 7:00 p.m. to observe through the instruments and was scheduled to conclude at 10:00 p.m. but in actuality the evening's observing conclusion would depend upon the the enhusiasm of the participants. All expenses was bore solely from S. Lynn Rhorer. A total of seven instruments were available for public viewing of the stars (one for each year of the program's existence) and was recognized at the time to be the most effective astronomy outreach facility for the general public in the world. In addition, lectures by prominent astronomers were given with illustrations projected on a screen in the park viewed by spectators sitting in seats on the grass of from whatever other viewpoints were available. A defining characteristic of Rhorer was that he was extremely modest and forbade any mention or accolades to be attributed to him. We hope that he forgives us for creating this tribute page in his honor.
On April 21, 1929 Rhorer passed on at age 59 in his home in Atlanta, Georgia. He is buried at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta with his plot in section ten. This photo of his headstone is courtesy of Find A Grave member "WWII History Fan". We thank him for helping to preserve his memory.
The members of the staff living in Miami along with visiting members kept the organization active. Rhorer's will directed that a nonprofit public service corporation be formed to receive all the equipment from the observatory... thus "The Southern Cross Astronomical Society Inc." was formed. The observatory at Brickell Park popularity grew in the 1930s as thousands more came to peer through the SCAS telescopes each week.
Today the Southern Cross Astronomical Society conducts ongoing public education in astronomy and is the host of the world famous Winter Star Party in the Florida Key. They are recognized as one of the oldest and most prolific amateur astronomical societies in the Western Hemisphere.
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