Southern Cross Astronomical Society SCAS

The Southern Cross Astronomical Society (SCAS), originally founded in 1922 as the Southern Cross Observatory, is one of the oldest amateur astronomical societies in the Western Hemisphere. SCAS founder, Mr. S. Lynn Rhorer, established the first observatory with his 5" Clark refractor at the Royal Palm Hotel & Park near the Miami River. He attracted a growing group of amateur astronomers who offered free viewing and instruction to the public. The renowned astronomser, Dr. Harlow Shapley, visited the new observatory and marveled at our view of the constellation Crux, The Southern Cross, and suggested this name for the newly formed observatory. Later, Mr. Rhorer added more telescopes and invited leading astronomers to Miami to present public lectures. When Mr. Rhorer died on April 21, 1929, his 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. Shortly thereafter the Society moved the observatory to Brickell Park, just south of the Miami River. It's popularity grew in the 1930s as thousands came to peer through the SCAS telescopes each week.

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