Fox Observatory, Astronomical observatory in Sunrise, Florida, US
Fox Observatory is an astronomical facility in Markham Park where visitors can observe the sky through multiple telescopes, including a large Schmidt-Cassegrain and several Dobsonian reflecting instruments. The open-air layout allows groups to gather around the equipment and view planets, star clusters, and distant galaxies together.
The facility opened on March 20, 1977, after years of planning that started in 1974 when Broward County gave initial approval for the project. This combination of community effort and official support created a public space dedicated to astronomy.
The South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association maintains the facility and conducts regular sky observation sessions for the local community every Saturday evening.
The observatory is located within Markham Park and operates from sunset until around 10:30 PM to 11:30 PM depending on the season, with free entry for everyone. Visitors should arrive during these evening hours to view the sky and have access to the equipment.
The facility houses a special 6-inch Brandon refractor telescope that Dr. Joseph Dennison Fox brought from Puerto Rico to Florida in the 1960s. This historic instrument remains an important part of the equipment collection and adds to the variety of observation options available.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
