-------------------------- John Pazmino NYSkies Astronomy Inc nyskies@nyskies.org www.nyskies.org The following astronomy activities in the commuting ring enclosing New York City are operated by various organizations. A few cultural items of special importance to City astronomers are also included. Altho NYC Events confirms the listed items, they are subject to change by their sponsors. Check with their contacts. Let the sponsor know that you learned of its event thru NYC Events. Frequently asked questions and explanation of NYC Events is at 'www.nyskies.org/nyc-faq.htm'. You may ask for previous NYC Events thru 'nyskies@nyskies.org' because only the current issue is in the website. It is replaced by next month's issue. For events which missed NYC Events, check the NYSkies Yahoogroup forum. Join NYSkies by visiting 'www.nyskies.org/yahoo.htm' and picking either the email or website option. All hours are Eastern Standard Time. Mars and Vesta ------------- Altho the opposition and proximity were in January, Mars remains a brilliant star in the high sky all thru winter and spring of 2010. In summer and fall he is in low sky toward the west. I put here a comlete timetable for Mars under February 1st in answer to inquiries about the planet's visibility. it is based on my Mars article at 'www.nyskies.org/artciles/pazmino/mars2010.htm'. Vesta happens to be at opposition in February in the vicinity of Mars in Leo. I put under the 1st an ephemeris for her apparition. World Trade Center court trial ---------------------------- The masterminds of the 2001 World Trade Center collapse go on trial 'soon'. The City is preparing for the proceding with extra safety measures around the US Federal Court House in Foley Square. Some agitation sprang up to move the trial to, as examples, Gitmo or Avatar's Pandora, For now there is no official change of venue from Manhattan. Expect, when the trial is ready and all during it, extreme inconveniences within about a full kilometer around Foley Square. This ropes in Civic Center, Five Points, Chinatown, Little Italy, TriBeCa, Ground Zero, Greenwich South, Fulton St, Southbridge, South Street Seaport, Brooklyn Bridge, City Hall. This zone covers business and retail with about 200,000 residents. There could be hit & run street closings, traffic diversions, bus and train reroutes, cattle-gating, checkpoints, spot searches. Please avoid discretionary travel to or thru this kilometer radius. If you must enter this ring, like for work or business, please inquire at your boss or similar about precautions and procedures. Be specially sure to have with you proper ID papers. Within the ring, please follow instructions and directions from the authorities. International Year of Astronomy 2010 ---------------------------------- The formal IYA is over, but astronomy centers continue their public education mission into 2010. They still have the IYA instructional materials and props, plus those from JPL's Night Sky Network. I removed the flags for NSN affiliates after IYA closed, but they are restored here. I applaud the efforts of NSN affiliates, somwtimes working under terribly adverse local conditions, to keep our profession alive and active thruout the NYSkies region. Please call on these affiliates for your astronomy needs. Index of Events ------------- * = NASA-JPL Night Sky Network affiliate Dates for events in main listing, else contact if no events Events in recess have month of resumption with contact ------------------------------------------------------------ BROOKLYN - BK *Floyd Bennett Field - - - MAR - www.nyskies.org, nyskies@nyskies.org, stephenlieber@nyc.rr.com, Secret Science Club - - - XX CONNECTICUT - CT *A S of Gtr Hartford - - - 17 Astro Soc of Greenwich - 3 *Astro Soc of New Haven - 23 *Bethany Observatory - - - www.asnh.org, prez@asnh.org Boothe Meml Astro Soc - - 5, 19 Bowman Observatory - - - 9, 23 CT Tripoli Rocketry Assn XX Litchfield Hills AAC - - lmaac@hotmail.com, www.fortunecity.com/victorian/twain/1206/id19.htm . *Mattituck Astro Soc - - - 18 *McCarthy Observatory - - 13 Stamford Observatory - - 5, 12, 19, 26 *Van Vleck Obsy (ASGH) - - 20 Van Vleck Obsy (WU) - - - 3, 10, 17, 24 Western CT St Univ - - - 6, 11, 20, 25 *Westport Astro Soc - - - 3, 4, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 24, 25 LONG ISLAND - LI *Amat Observers Society - 7 Astro Soc of Long Island 3, 10, 17, 24 Brookhaven Natl Lab - - - 9, 16, 19 Custer Institute - - - - 6, 13, 20, 27 Hofstra Univ Obsy - - - - 7 Innovative Stone Co - - - 1-indef *Jones Bh St Pk - - - - - 12 Montauk Observatory - - - 1, 27 *Robert Moses St Pk - - - 12, 13, 19, 20 SUNY Stony Brook - - - - 5 MANHATTAN - MH 42nd St (Central) Library southcourt@nypl.org, 212-930-9284, www.nypl.org/calendar/index.cfm, 92nd Street Y (Lex & 92) www.92y.org, 212-415-5500 Anat Astro Assn - - - - - 1, 5 Amer Musm Natl Hist - - - 3, 24 Cafe' Science - - - - - - 8 Central Park - - - - - - 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28 City College Physics - - 3, 10, 17, 24 *Columbia Univ Astro - - - 3, 10, 24 *Columbia Univ Obsy - - - 5, 19 Cornelia St Cafe' - - - - 7 Ctr for Atmosp Ocean Std 3, 17, 24 Goddard Inst for Spc Std 5, 12 Good Housekeeping lab - - 12 Greenwich Vg Book Fair - 19-21 Hayden Planetarium - - - 2, 3, 8, 10, 14, 17, 23, 24 History of Science Soc - 24 ice skating for winter - 1 Inittv for Theortcl Sci - 8 Instt Strings, Cosmology FEB - www.iscap.columbia.edu Intrepid Museum - - - - - 1-Jun 30 *Inwood Astronomy Project 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27 Leonardo da Vinci exhibit 1-indef Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT subways 6-indef, 7-indef Madoff benches - - - - - 1-indef Madoff clawback - - - - - 1-indef Mars apparition - - - - - 1 Mid Manhattan Library - - www.nypl.org/calendar/index.cfm, Natl Space Soc-NYC - - - 3, 17 New Amsterdam Trail - - - 1-indef New York Univ Astro - - - 5, 12, 26 NY Academy of Sciences - www.nyas.org, 212-838-0230. *NYSkies Astronomy Seminar 3, 17 Physics Club of NY - - - 26 Presidnet's Day - - - - - 15 Rockefeller University - 212-327-8000, www.rockefeller.edu, pubinfo@rockefeller.edu Rubin Museum of Art - - - 1-May 10 SIBL disturbance days - - 2, 11, 20 SciCafe' - - - - - - - - 3 Serving Science - - - - - 1 South Street Seaport - - 1-indef Space Frontier Foundatn - 3, 10, 17, 24 Swine Flu epidemic - - - 1-indef Titanic exhibit - - - - - 1-indef *Top of the Lawn - - - - - 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28 Urban Park Rangers - - - 1 Vesta apparition - - - - 1 World Trade Center trial XX NEW JERSEY - NJ A A A of Princeton - - - 9 A S of Toms Rv Area - - - 12 *Amat Astro Inc - - - - - 5, 12, 19, 26 Buehler-Columbia AAA - - 6, 13, 20, 27 Dark Sky Observers - - - www.users.nac.net/gburke/club Instt for Advd Study - - 2, 9, 16, 23 Montclair Telescope Club 973-948-5284, bischoff@garden.net, users.erols.com/njastro/orgs/mtc.hrm *Morris Musm Astro Soc - - 11 N W Jersey Amat Astro - - www.nwjaa.org, info@nwjaa.org Natl Space Soc-NJN - chapters.nss.org/nj/njn, cpankanin@aol.com *New Jersey Astro Assn - - 5, 27 North Jersey Astro Group 10 Ocean County College - - www.ocean.edu/campus/planetarium, 732-255-0343 Passaic Co Astro Assn www.users.nac.net/gburke/PCAA, 973-523-0024 Princeton Univ Obsy - - - 10 Rutgers Univ Astro Collqm 3, 10, 17, 24 Rutgers Univ Astro Semnr 5, 12, 19, 26 *S*T*A*R - - - - - - - - - 3 Schommer Observatory - - 11, 25 *Sheep Hill Astro Assn - - 7 *Sheep Hill Observatory - 19 Skyland Stargazers - - - skylandstargazers.tripod.com *Utd Astro Clubs of NJ - - APR - www.uacnj.org Washington Xing St Pk - - APR - www.princetonastronomy.org, 609-737-2575, drexparker@aol.com QUEENS - QN Alley Pond Park - - - - - 20 Queens College Physics - XX Safari 7 - - - - - - - - 1-indef York College Observatory 10 REST OF WORLD STATEN ISLAND - SI College of Staten Is - - 17 Great Kills Park - - - - MAR - www.nps.gov/gate, 718-987-6790 Staten Is Community TV - 1 THE BRONX - BX UPSTATE - NY Andrus Planetarium - - - 5, 12, 19, 26 *Anthony Wayne Rec Area - APR - 201-768-3298, www.rocklandastronomy.com, webnaster@rocklandastronomy.com, *Catskills Astro Club - - XX Lamont-Doherty Obsy - - - 5, 12, 19, 26 Lwr Hudson Vy Challgr Ctr 21 Mid-Hudson Astro Assn - - 16 Orange Co Astro Assn - www.ocastronomy.org, info@ocastronomy.org *Rockland Astronomy Club - 201-768-3298, www.rocklandastronomy.com, webnaster@rocklandastronomy.com, Swinging Bridge dam - - - 1-indef Vassar Coll Obsy - - - - 3, 10, 17, 24 Ward Pound Ridge - - - - 13 Westchester Amat Astro - 5 Wilcox Park - - - - - - - 5 Monthly Calendar -------------- Plain dates are in current month; -, previous month; +, next month. Moon phase: .NM., .FQ), (FM), (LQ. -------------------------------- Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -31 1 2 3 4 (5. 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 .13. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 .21) 22 23 24 25 26 27 (28) +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 General notes ----------- 'whole City' means the event has no specific or dedicated place. It may be enjoyed from everywhere in the NYSkies territory or at a number of individual places. Celestial events are typicly 'whole City' events. 'all day' means the event is continuous or repeating during the open hours of the host facility. Some facilities may have limited hours per day or days per week. Check with the contacts. Prices cited are the 'rack rate'. You could qualify for discounts as may be offered by the sponsor. Besides the base price there may be optional extra fees to consider. List of events ------------ XXX XX Feb - DATES NOT SET YET; INQUIRE AT CONTACT all day - US Federal Court House - MH - WTC criminal trial Masterminds of 2001 Sep 11 attack on WTC go on trial. Expect massive rearrangment of daily routine within 1km radius of Foley Sq. Details in local news media. 12:00 - Queens College - QN - science lecture Physics Conf Rm, B326. Various topics in physics and astronomy. Free. www.physics.qc.edu/colloq.php, 718-997-3350 12:00 - Bethany - CT - CT Tripoli Rocketry Assn meeting Bethany Town Hall. Free. www.ctra-narconn.org, 860-583-1690 20:00 - Liberty - NY - clearsky starviewing Catskills Astro Club. Walnut Mountain Pk. Free, cancelled for clouds. www.catskillsastro.org, kocis@verizon.net. 20:00 - Bell House - BK - Secret Science Club meeting 149 7 St, 2/3 Av. Lecture and music on various science topics. $3 adm. secretscienceclub.blogspot.com, 718-638-4400, www.unionhallny.com/events Mon 1 Feb all day - Discovery Exhibition Hall - MH - 'Titanic' exhibit Indefinite duration. 226 W 44 St, 7 Av. Items recovered from Titanic oceanliner. Story of construction, sailing, disaster. $26.50 adm. www.discoverytsx.com, 866-987-9692 all day - Discovery Exhibition Hall - MH - 'da Vinci' exhibit Indefinite duration. 226 W 44 St, 7 Av. papers, models, scenes of Leonard da Vinci workshop and devices. $26.50 adm. www.discoverytsx.com, 866-987-9692 all day - whole City - MH - cultural tours & lectures VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT Urban Park Rangers. Tours of parks, landmarks, nabes, hoods. Lecutres on history and culture of NYC. Program varies each month. Free. www.nyc.gov/parks all day - whole City - MH - clearsky starviewing VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT Amat Astro Assn. Sessions convene in parks usually at dusk. Occasional daytime sunviewing. Free, cancelled for clouds. richard_rosenberg@verizon.net, 718-522-5014 all day - Central Park - NY - cultural exhibit Indefinite duration. 67 St & 5 Av gate. Several park benches donated years ago by swindler Bernard Madoff with his nameplate on them. They are potential targets for his victims to exert anger, possibly resulting in damage or destruction. all day - South Street Seaport - MH - Bodies exhibit CHILDREN SHOULD OBTAIN ADULT GUIDANCE FOR THIS EVENT! ASSOCIATED BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN DOES NOT BENEFIT THE EXHIBIT SPECIMINA! Indefinite duration. 11 Fulton St. About 30 human cadavers, some intact, some dissected and laid out for inspection of organs. Specimina replaced with fresh ones from time to time. $27.50 adm. www.southstreetseaport.com all day - whole City - MH - Madoff clawback OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE BEFORE RESPONDING TO THIS EVENT Indefinite duration. US Bankrupty Court is sending summonses to investors who realized income from the Madoff swindle. The court claims this income and orders its return. Details at your legal advisor. all day - IRT Flushing line - QN - cultural tour Indefinite duration. 'Safari 7' self-guided tour of history, culture, nature along subway route. Free, DL map and adio files. www.safari7.org, info@safari7.org. all day - whole City - MH - winter season ice skating Seasonal ice skating fields around NYC. Table lists fields, admission. location. Admission may vary with date/hour. Extra cost for skate rental, lockers, bag check, lessons, food service. Websites link to homepage for each facility for details. www.newyorkled.com/moreNYseasonal_Skating_Rinks.htm, newyorkkids.timeout.com/articles/things-to-do/68836/where-to- ice-skate-in-new-york-city, www.nyc.gov/parks ---------------------------------------- NY | ice skating field | adm | location ---+-------------------+------+------------------------------ BK | Wollman Rink | $5 | Parkside Av gate, Prospect Pk BK | Aviator Sports | $8 | Floyd Bennett Field BK | Abe Stark | $8 | B'walk & W 19 St, Coney Is ---+-------------------+------+--------------------------- BX | Kelton Rink | ?? | Broadway & 236 St ---+-------------------+------+------------------ MH | Wollman Rink |$14.75| Zoo/Arsen St, Central Park MH | Riverbank St Pk | $5 | Riverside Dr & 145 St MH | Battery Pk City | $10 | No End Av & Murray St, BPC MH | Lasker Rink | $6.25| mid park, 106 St, Central Pk MH | Seaport Ice | $5 | Pier 17, So St Seaport MH | The Pond | FREE | 42 St & 6 Av, Bryant Park MH | The Rink | $19 | Plaza, Rockefeller Ctr MH | Sky Rink | $13 | Pier 61, Chelsea Piers ---+-------------------+------+----------------------- QN | City Ice Pavilion | $8 | 42-32 32 Pl, Sunnyside QN | World's Fair Rink | $8 | 125-40 Roosevelt Av, Flushing ---+-------------------+------+------------------------------ SI | War Memorial | $8 | Clove Rd & Victory Bv Pk -------------------------------------------------------- all day - Hauppauge - LI - cultural exhibit COMPANY IS IN CHAP 11; FATE OF CORNERSTONE IS UNCERTAIN Indefinite duration. Innovative Stone Company, show yard. Actual 20-ton granite inscribed block for Freedom Tower (1 WTC) cornerstone, placed in tower's foundation on 4 July 2004. Removed for safekeeping until construction can resume. Free. 631-273-4445, www.innovativestone.com, info@innovativestone.com all day - 42nd St Library - MH - science exhibit Thru Jun 26. 5 Av & 42 St. 'Mapping New York's shoreline, 1609-2009'. Free. www.nypl.org all day - Battery Park - MH - cultural tour indefinite duration. Natl Pks of NY Harbor & Natl Pk Svc. 'New Amsterdam Trail'. Self-guided walk thru culture and history of Dutch era of Manhattan. Download booklet and audio narration to play during walk. Free. www.nyharborparks.org. all day - Swinging Bridge - NY - potential flood emergency Indefinite duration. Flood alert on Mongaup & upper Delaware rivers due to sinkhole in Swinging Bridge dam. Listen for news and advice from local emergency management agencies. www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/safety/swinging.asp all day - Rubin Museum of Art - MH - science exhibit Thru May 10. 150 W 17 St. 'Visions of the cosmos' cultural interpretation of the heavens from many societies and eras. $10 adm. 212-620-5000, www.rmanyc.org all day - whole City - MH - swine flu epidemic Indefinite duration. Global outbreak in mid April 2009 of swine (H1N1 flu). Symptoms resemble ordinary flu but comes from new strain. Some health tips: * wash hands after handling shared items * eat healthy food, avoid excess sweets * drink lots of hot liquids: soup, broth, tea * keep hands off of face and eyes * gargle with antiseptic wash or hot salty water * contain coughs and sneezes in dsisposable tissue * stay home if sick * if flu breaks out, get medical attention quickly. Details at your physician and public health office. all day - whole City - MH - Mars apparition thru Dec 31. Mars remains in evening sky, passes Moon, bright stars, planets, clusters. Complete timetable for New York for enitre apparition, 2008-2011: ------------------------------------------- MARS APPARITION, EXCEPT LUNAR CONJUNCTIONS ------------------------------------------- NYC date | hour | event ------------+------+--------------------- 2008 Dec 5 | -- | conjunction with Sun 2009 Jan 5 | dawn | emerges from dawn, start of apparition 2009 Jan 27 | dawn | 4 deg S of Mercury 2009 Feb 17 | dawn | 1 deg S of Jupiter 2009 Mar 3 | dawn | 1 deg N of Mercury 2009 Apr 21 | dark | 6 deg S of Venus 2009 Apr 20 | -- | perihelion, 1.38146 AU Sun 2009 Apr 21 | dark | 4 deg S of Venus 2009 Jun 21 | dark | 2 deg N of Venus 2009 Jul 12 | dark | 5 deg S of Alcyone 2009 Jul 26 | dark | 4 deg N of Aldebaran 2009 Aug 12 | -- | increase to +1.0 magnitude 2009 Aug 20 | -- | ascending node, north of ecliptic 2009 Oct 7 | dark | 6 deg S of Pollux 2009 Oct 24 | -- | increase to +0.5 magnitude 2009 Oct 27 | -- | vernal equinox, northern spring begins 2009 Oct 29 | -- | west square, magn +0.5, diam 7.8sec 2009 Nov 1 | dark | inside Beehive cluster 2009 Nov 26 | -- | increase to +0.0 magnitude 2009 Dec 19 | -- | increase to -0.5 magnitude 2009 Dec 20 | -- | begins retrograde westward in Cancer 2009 Jan 9 | -- | increase to -1.0 magnitude 2010 Jan 27 | -- | proximity, 0.66399 AU, 99.33 million km 2010 Jan 29 | -- | opposition, 0.66456 AU, mag -1.3, diam 14.1sec 2010 Feb 5 | dark | 3 deg N of Beehive cluster 2010 Feb 17 | -- | decrease to -1.0 magnitude 2010 Mar 4 | -- | decrease to -0.5 magnitude 2010 Mar 11 | -- | resumes prograde eastward in Cancer 2010 Mar 23 | -- | decrease to -0.0 magnitude 2010 Mar 29 | -- | apohelion, 1.66594 AU Sun 2010 Apr 15 | -- | decrease to +0.5 magnitude 2010 Apr 17 | dark | 1 deg N of Beehive cluster 2010 May 4 | -- | east square, magn +0.8, diam 7.1sec 2010 May 18 | -- | decrease to +1.0 magnitude 2010 Jun 7 | dark | 1 deg N of Regulus 2010 Jul 23 | -- | decrease to +1.5 magnitude 2010 Jul 30 | dark | 2 deg S of Saturn)-convention Venus-Saturn 2010 Aug 19 | dark | 2 deg N pf Venus ) 2010 Sep 6 | dark | 2 deg N of Spica)-convention Spica-Venus 2010 Oct 6 | dusk | 6 deg N of Venus) 2010 Oct 1 | -- | in dusk, sets at nightfall 2010 Nov 11 | dusk | 4 deg N of Antares 2010 Nov 13 | -- | autumnal equinox, northern fall begins 2010 Nov 21 | dusk | 2 deg N of Mercury 2010 Dec 12 | dusk | 1 deg S of Mercury 2010 Jan 9 | -- | immerges into dusk, end of apparition 2011 Feb 9 | -- | conjunction with Sun ----------------------------------------------------- LUNAR CONJUNCTION WITH MARS ----------------------------------------- NYC date | hour | Mars | Age | Elong | Phase ------------+------+------+------+-------+------ 2008 Dec 26 | dawn | 5d S | 29.1 | 6 W } new Moon 2009 Jan 24 | dawn | 4d S*| 28.5 | 15 W | waning crescent 2009 Feb 23 | dawn | 6d S | 27.8 | 21 W | | 2009 Mar 24 | dawn | 4d S | 27.3 | 23 W | | 2009 Apr 22 | dawn | 6d S | 26.9 | 32 W | | 2009 May 21 | dark | 7d S | 26.5 | 38 W | | 2009 Jun 19 | dark | 6d S | 26.0 | 44 W | | 2009 Jul 18 | dark | 5d S | 25.3 | 58 W | | 2009 Aug 16 | dark | 3d S | 24.6 | 60 W | \|/ 2009 Sep 12 | dark | 1d S | 23.9 | 69 W | ------- 2009 Oct 12 | dark | 1d N*| 22.8 | 92 W | 3rd quarter 2009 Nov 9 | dark | 3d N | 21.8 | 98 W | 3rd quarter 2009 Dec 6 | dark | 5d N | 19.9 | 113 W | waning gibbous 2010 Jan 2 | dark | 7d N | 17.6 | 145 W | waning gibbous 2010 Jan 29 | dark | 7d N | 14.8 | 179 E | full Moon 2010 feb 25 | dark | 5d N | 11.8 | 146 E | waxing gibbous 2010 Mar 24 | dark | 5d N | 9.6 | 117 E | waxing gibbous 2010 Apr 21 | dark | 5d N | 8.0 | 97 E | 1st quarter 2010 May 19 | dark | 5d N | 6.7 | 81 E | 1st quarter 2010 Jun 16 | dark | 6d N | 5.6 | 68 E | waxing crescent 2010 Jul 15 | dark | 6d N | 4.8 | 58 E | | 2010 Aug 12 | dark | 6d N | 3.9 | 48 E | | 2010 Sep 10 | dusk | 5d N | 3.2 | 40 E | | 2010 Oct 9 | dusk | 4d N | 2.5 | 31 E | | 2010 Nov 7 | dusk | 2d N | 1.8 | 22 E | \|/ 2010 Dec 6 | dusk | 1d S*| 1.4 | 15 E | ------- 2011 Jan 4 | dusk | 5d S | 0.7 | 8 E | new Moon 2011 Feb 2 | dusk | 7d S | 0.1 | 0 E | new Moon * occultation of Mars by Moon, not visible in NYC ------------------------------------------------- all day - Intrepid Museum - MH - astronomy exhibit Pier 86, 12 Av & 46 St. ' Mission to Mars' history of US exploratin of Mars, with Mars rover mockup. $24 adm. 212-245-0072, www.intrepidmuseum.org, all day - whole City - MH - Vesta apparition Thru Apr 30. Asteroid Vesta at opposition on Feb 18 in Leo. Can be viewed together with Mars thru Apr. Ephemeris for apparition until Vesta fades below 7th magn. Date is for 19h EST (no EDST) in New York: -------------------------------------------------------------- NYC Date RA-geocentric J2000-DE magn SunAU TerAU elong ----------- ----------------------- ---- ------ ------ ----- 2010-Feb-01 10h32m34.71 +17d30m36.1 6.42 2.4110 1.4680 158.2 2010-Feb-04 10 30 19.68 +17 56 01.3 6.35 2.4082 1.4527 161.5 2010-Feb-07 10 27 53.10 +18 21 45.3 6.28 2.4053 1.4397 164.7 2010-Feb-10 10 25 16.52 +18 47 31.3 6.21 2.4025 1.4291 167.6 2010-Feb-13 10 22 31.75 +19 13 02.1 6.16 2.3996 1.4210 169.9 2010-Feb-16 10 19 40.81 +19 38 00.2 6.12 2.3967 1.4154 171.2 2010-Feb-19 10 16 45.89 +20 02 08.5 6.12 2.3938 1.4123 170.9 2010-Feb-22 10 13 49.29 +20 25 11.2 6.15 2.3909 1.4117 169.3 2010-Feb-25 10 10 53.27 +20 46 54.3 6.19 2.3880 1.4136 166.7 2010-Feb-28 10 08 00.05 +21 07 05.8 6.25 2.3851 1.4179 163.7 2010-Mar-03 10 05 11.73 +21 25 35.6 6.30 2.3821 1.4246 160.4 2010-Mar-06 10 02 30.33 +21 42 15.4 6.36 2.3792 1.4335 157.1 2010-Mar-09 09 59 57.81 +21 56 58.1 6.41 2.3762 1.4447 153.7 2010-Mar-12 09 57 35.99 +22 09 38.6 6.47 2.3733 1.4580 150.3 2010-Mar-15 09 55 26.53 +22 20 13.8 6.53 2.3703 1.4734 147.0 2010-Mar-18 09 53 30.83 +22 28 42.4 6.59 2.3673 1.4906 143.6 2010-Mar-21 09 51 50.07 +22 35 04.9 6.64 2.3644 1.5097 140.4 2010-Mar-24 09 50 25.10 +22 39 23.5 6.70 2.3614 1.5304 137.2 2010-Mar-27 09 49 16.51 +22 41 41.7 6.76 2.3584 1.5527 134.0 2010-Mar-30 09 48 24.61 +22 42 03.9 6.81 2.3554 1.5763 131.0 2010-Apr-02 09 47 49.53 +22 40 34.6 6.87 2.3524 1.6013 127.9 2010-Apr-05 09 47 31.31 +22 37 18.1 6.92 2.3495 1.6275 125.0 2010-Apr-08 09 47 29.87 +22 32 18.6 6.98 2.3465 1.6548 122.1 2010-Apr-11 09 47 45.04 +22 25 40.6 7.03 2.3435 1.6830 119.3 2010-Apr-14 09 48 16.54 +22 17 28.4 7.08 2.3405 1.7121 116.6 2010-Apr-17 09 49 03.95 +22 07 46.5 7.13 2.3375 1.7420 113.9 2010-Apr-20 09 50 06.78 +21 56 39.4 7.18 2.3345 1.7726 111.3 2010-Apr-23 09 51 24.43 +21 44 11.7 7.23 2.3315 1.8037 108.8 2010-Apr-26 09 52 56.20 +21 30 27.9 7.27 2.3285 1.8353 106.3 2010-Apr-29 09 54 41.42 +21 15 31.7 7.31 2.3256 1.8672 103.9 --------------------------------------------------------------- 18:00 - Kouzan Restaurant - MH - Serving Science lecture 685 Amsterdam Av, 93/94 St. Supper/chat with Citu College profs on sci topics. $10 fee, incl 1 drink, + own meal. web.cuny.edu/research/Serving-Science-CUNY-Science-Cafe.html 18:30 - Montauk - LI - astronomy lecture OCCASIONAL SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS Montauk Obsy, Montauk Publ Liby. Indoor talk, clearsky starviewing. Free. www.montaukobservatory.com 19:30 - Staten Island Community TV - SI - science show 100 Cable Way, Mariners Hr SI. Live audience, televised on SI cable. Free. www.sictv.org, 718-727-1414 Tue 2 Feb 10:00 - Sci Ind Biz Liby - MH - disturbance day Presentations in lecture hall are played thruout library, possibly disturbing every one. SIBL suggests going to other library branches for quiet reading. www.nypl.org/research/sibl 11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture Princeton Univ, Bloomberg Hall, library. Free. www.sns.ias.edu/astro/astrocal.php, wserber@astro.princeton.edu 18:30 - Hayden Planetarium - MH - Virtual Universe show Live skyshow of computer graphics and astro databases. $15 adm. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs Wed 3 Feb 10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show Live skyshow of rocket trip to the Moon. $17, incl mus adm. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs 15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture Ctr for Atmosp & Ocean Srudies. 251 Mercer St. Various topics in geophysics and earth science. Free. caos.cims.nyu.edu, shafer@cims.nyu.edu 16:00 - City College - MH - science lecture Marshak Hall, Rm 418N. Various topics in physics and astronomy. Free. www.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/physics/calendar, physics@sci.ccny.cuny.edu, 212-650-6832 16:15 - Columbia Univ - MH - astronomy lecture Pupin Hall, Rm 1332. Free. www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach, 212-854-3278, outreach-admin@astro.columbia.edu 16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture Colloquium series. Astrop Collogm. Rutgers Univ, Busch Campus, Phys Lectr Hall. Free. www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium, 732-445-3974, 18:00 - Whiskey Park - MH - Space Frontier Foundtn mtg Central Pk S & 6 Av. Informal social for spacefaring fans. Free, RSVP by 12:00. william.watson@spacefrontier.org, www.spacefrontier.org, 19:00 - St Paul's Lutheran Ch - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar DISCUSSION: STELLAR AND GALACTIC DISTANCES - 1/2 PLUS Night Sky Network AWARD CEREMONY Combined meeting with Natl Spc Soc-NYC Chap 315 W 22nd St & 8 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show & tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies territory. Free. nyskies@nyskies.org, www.nyskies.org, 212-273-5958 19:00 - St Paul's Luthrn Ch - MH - Natl Spc Soc meeting DISCUSSION: STELLAR AND GALACTIC DISTANCES - 1/2 PLUS Night Sky Network AWARD CEREMONY Combined meeting with NYSkies Astronomy Inc 315 W 22nd St & 8 Av. Discussion of astro/space topics, show & tell, skywatching reports, news of astro/space activity in NYC vicinity. Free. chapters.nss.org/ny/nyc, astrohal@webtv.net 19:00 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - SciCafe' show Hall of Planet Earth. Music, cash bar, social mixer with Amer Musm Natl Hist staff. Free, be 21 or be gone, photo ID reqd. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs 19:30 - Greenwich - CT - Astro Soc of Greenwich meeting Bruce Museum. Free. rbria@juno.com, www.seocom.com/asg, 203-896-6786-x338 20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing Westport Astro Soc. Rolnick Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925 20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing OCCASIONAL EXTRA SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT Inwood Astronomy Project. Meet at park entrance, Seaman Av & isham St. Free, cancelled for clouds. www.inwoodastronomy.org, 917-529-2359, jasonskendall@gmail.com 20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing Wesleyan U, Van Vleck Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. 860-685-3664, www.wesleyan.edu/astro/events 20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting Vanderbilt Plm. Free. www.asliclub.org, info@asliclub.org 21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing Vassar College, Observatory. Free, cancelled for clouds. physicsandastronomy.vassar.edu/observatory.html, 845-437-7340 Thu 4 Feb 20:00 - Lincroft - NJ - S*T*A*R meeting Brookdale Commty Coll, Mommouth Museum. Free. www.starastronomy.org, s-walters@comcast.net 20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 Fri 5 Feb 11:00 - Goddard Inst Spc Stud - MH - science lecture Various topics in geophysics and earth science. Free, adv regn reqd, else no entry. Have GI photo ID for campus security. www.giss.nasa.gov, 212-678-5540, pformosa@giss.nasa.gov 14:30 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture Meyer Hall, 5th fl. Various topics in astrophys and relativity. Free. physics,nyu.edu, dgsphys@nyu.edu, 212-998-7706 15:00 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture Seminar series. Rutgers Univ, Serin 385E. Free. 732-445-3974, www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium 15:30 - Palisades - NY - science lecture Lamont-Doherty Earth Obsy, Monell Audm. Various topics in geophysics and earth science. Free, 845-365-8634, www.ldeo.columbia.edu, snooner@ldeo.columbia.edu, 18:15 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - Amat Astro Assn lecture Kaufmann theater. Free. richard_rosenberg@verison.net, ` 718-522-5014. 19:00 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture Pupin Hall, signs to lecture room. Indoor lecture, clearsky starviewing. Free. www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach, 212-854-3278, outreach-admin@astro.columbia.edu 19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show Hudson Rv Musm, Andrus Plm. 19:00 show is free, sponsored by FujiFilm USA Inc. Free, different topics each Friday. www.hrm.org, 914-963-4550 19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting Union Co Coll, Sperry Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky starviewing. Free. www.asterism.org 19:30 - Yonkers - NY - Westchester Amat Astro meeting Hudson River Museum, Free. www.westchesterastronomers.org, waa-president@westchesterastronomers.org 19:30 - Wilcox Park - NY - clearsky starviewing Mid Hudson Astro Assn. Free, cancelled for clouds www.midhudsonastro.org. 845-485-5669, trankin@hvc.cc.com 19:30 - Stony Brook - LI - astronomy lecture SUNY Stony Brook, Earth & Spc Sci Hall. Indoor lecture, clearsky starviewing. Free. www.ess.sunysb.edu/astro, 631-632-8100, slutterbie@notes.cc.sunysb.edu 20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing PLUS OCCASIONAL EXTRA SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT Top of the Lawn. North path of Great Lawn. Free, cancelled for clouds. tags_p@yahoo.com, www.nyskies.org, nyskies@nyskies.org 20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing Stamford Obsy. $3 adm, cancelled for clouds. www.stamfordmuseum.org, cescovil@earthlink.net, 203-322-6537 20:00 - Stratford - CT - Boothe Meml Astro Soc mtg Boothe Meml Pk, Obsy. Free. www.bmas.org, info@bmas.org Sat 6 Feb all day - Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT - MH - subway reconstruction Every Saturday. Indefinite duration. Many Lwr Manh and Bklyn Downtown subways are under major work at various hours. Check posters and flyers for your routes. www.mta.info/nyct/service/lower_manh 17:30 - Danbury - CT - astronomy lecture Westn Conn St Uv, Obsy/Plm. Indoor planetarium show, clearsky starviewing. Free. www.wcsu.edu/starwatch, 203-837-8671, dawsond@wcsu.edu 18:30 - Voorhees St Pk - NJ - clearsky starviewing NJ Astro Assn. NJAA-HQ, Robinson Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. www.njaa.org, 908-368-8600 20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting PLUS OCCASIONAL EXTRA EVENTS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT Custer Instt. Indoor program, clearsky starviewing. $5-$15 adm, varies with program. www.custerobservatory.org, CusterDonna@yahoo.com, 631-765-2626 20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture Bergen Commty Coll, Buehler Obsy. Free. www.bergen.edu/buehler, ropstbaum@bergen.edu. 20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 Sun 7 Feb all day - Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT - MH - subway reconstruction Every Sunday. Indefinite duration. Many Lwr Manh and Bklyn Downtown subways are under major work at various hours. Check posters and flyers for your routes. www.mta.info/nyct/service/lower_manh 13:15 - Uniondale - LI - Amat Obsrs Soc meeting Nassau Commty Coll, Bdg F, Room 123. Free. www.aosny.org, suerose@optonline.net 18:00 - Cornelia St Cafe' - MH - Entertaining Science show 29 Cornelia St & W 4 St, Play & music on various science themes. $10 adm. www.corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319 18:00 - Hempstead - LI - clearsky starviewing Hofstra University, Chem-Phys Bdg, Rm 117. Free, cancelled for clouds. 516-463-2759, www.hofstra.edu/Academics, observatory@hofstra.edu Mon 14 Dec 19:30 - Boonton - NJ - Sheep Hill Astro Assn meeting Boonton Town Hall. Free. www.uacnj.org/clubs/shaa.htm, ajmonka@att.net 20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 Mon 8 Fev 17:30 - PicNic Cafe' - MH - Cafe' Science lecture 2665 Broadway & 101 St. Supper/chat with Columbia Univ profs on sci topics. $10 fee, incl 1 drink, + own meal. 212-222-8222, alumni.columbia.edu/learn/s3_6.html, cafescience@columbia.edu 18:30 - CUNY Graduate Center - MH - astronomy lecture Initiatice for the Theoretical Sciences. 'Did Homer describe an eclipse in the Odyssey?' Free, adv regn reqd, gconlinecommunity@gc.cuny.edu 19:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - astronomy lecture 'Design and performance of the James Webb Space Telescope'. $15 adm. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs Tue 9 Feb 11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture - see Feb 2 15:30 - Upton - LI - astronomy ecture Brookhaven Natl Lab, Bldg 510. 'Water on the Moon'. Free, have GI photo ID for campus security. www.bnl.gov, 631-344-8000 19:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing Astro Soc of Greenwich. Julian Curtis Elem Schl, Bowman Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. rbria@juno.com, www.seocom.com/asg, 203-896-6786-x338 20:00 - Princeton - NJ - Amat Astro Assn of Princeton meeting Princeton U, Peyton Hall. Free. www.princetonastronomy.org, 609-737-2575, drexparker@aol.com Wed 10 Feb 10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Feb 3 16:00 - City College - MH - science lecture - see Feb 3 16:15 - Columbia Univ - MH - astronomy lecture - see Feb 3 16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Feb 3 18:00 - Whiskey Park - MH - Space Frontier Foundtn mtg - see Feb 3 19:30 - York College - QN - astronomy lecture Core Academic Hall, Room 2E01. Indoor lecture, clearsky starviewing. Free. 718-262-2082, paglione@york.cuny.edu york.cuny.edu/centers-institutes/observatory 20:00 - Upper Montclair - NJ - No Jersey Astro Gp meeting Montclair St Univ, Richardson Hall, Room 232. Free. njastro.org, 973-655-7266, mwest@pegasus.montclair.edu 20:00 - Princeton - NJ - clearsky starviewing Princeton Univ, Peyton Hall. Free, cancelled for clouds www.astro.princeton.edu/events.htm, wserber@astro.princeton.edu 20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Feb 3 21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 Thu 11 feb 18:00 - Sci Ind Biz Liby - MH - disturbance day Presentations in lecture hall are played thruout library, possibly disturbing every one. SIBL suggests going to other library branches for quiet reading. www.nypl.org/research/sibl 18:30 - Danbury - CT - clearsky starviewing Westn Conn St Uv, Obsy/Plm. Free, cancelled for clouds. www.wcsu.edu/starwatch, 203-837-8671, dawsond@wcsu.edu 19:30 - Morristown - NJ - Morris Mus Astro Soc mtg Morris Museum. Free. 973-386-1848, tedbarker-JDCO@att.net, www.morrismuseum.org/static/education/astronomical.html 20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 21:00 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewing Rutgers Univ, Schommer Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. 732-205-0020, www.physics.rutgers.edu/ast/ast-serin.html pryor@physics.rutgers.edu Fri 12 Feb 10:00 - Good Housekeeping Resrch Instt - MH - science tour Hearst Tower, 57 St & 8 Av. Walk thru history and science of porduct testing center of Good Housekeeping magazine. Free, adv regn reqd. 212-649-5000, ghritours@hearst.com 11:00 - Goddard Inst Spc Stud - MH - science lecture - see Feb 5 14:30 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Frb 5 15:00 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Feb 5 15:30 - Palisades - NY - science lecture - see Feb 5 19:00 - Jones Bh St Pk - LI - astronomy lecture Amat Obsrs Soc. Roosevelt Natr Ctr, Indoor lecture, clearsky starviewing. $3 fee, adv regn reqd. www.aosny.org, suerose@optonline.net, 516-679-7254 19:00 - Toms River - NJ - Astro Soc of Toms Rv Area meeting Ocean Co Coll, Student Ctr, Solar Lounge. Free. www.astra-nj.org, 732-255-0343, webmaster@astra-nj.org 19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Feb 5 19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Feb 5 20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing Amat Obsrs Soc. Parking field #2, Free, cancelled for clouds. www.aosny.org, suerose@optonline.net 20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 Sat 13 Feb 18:30 - Ward Pound Ridge - NY - clearsky starviewing Westchester Amat Astro. Meadows Picnic Area. Free, cancelled for clouds. waa-president@westchesterastronomers.org www.westchesterastronomers.org, 20:00 - New Milford - CT - astronomy lecture McCarthy Obsy, New Miford HS. Indoor lecture, clearsky starviewing. Free. www.mccarthyobservatory.org, 860-354-1595, contact@mccarthyobservatory.org, 20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - se Feb 6 20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 12 20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Feb 6 Sun 14 Feb 18:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - cultural show 'Romance under the stars' Valentine's Day astronomy stories, champagne, chocolates, strawberries. $75 tkt (per person). 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs 20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 Mon 15 Feb all day - whole City - MH - Presidnet's Day Please check with event contact for session falling on this day by rule or outdated schedule. Tue 16 Feb 11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture - see Feb 2 15:30 - Upton - LI - astronomy ecture Brookhaven Natl Lab, Bldg 510. 'Many-body systems and gauge theory'. Free, have GI photo ID for campus security. www.bnl.gov, 631-344-8000 19:30 - New Paltz - NY - Mid Hudson Astro Assn meeting SUNY New Paltz, Coykendall Audm. Free. 845-485-5669, www.midhudsonastro.org, trankin@hvc.rr.com 20:00 - Westport - CT - Westport Astro Soc meeting Rolnick Obsy. Free. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925 Wed 17 feb 10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Feb 3 15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture - see Feb 3 16:00 - City College - MH - science lecture - see Feb 3 16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Feb 3 18:00 - Whiskey Park - MH - Space Frontier Foundtn mtg - see Feb 3 19:00 - St Paul's Lutheran Ch - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar DISCUSSION: STELLAR AND GALACTIC DISTANCES - 2/2 PLUS PREPARATION FOR GLOBE at Night Combined meeting with Natl Spc Soc-NYC Chap 315 W 22nd St & 8 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show & tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies territory. Free. nyskies@nyskies.org, www.nyskies.org, 212-273-5958 19:00 - St Paul's Luthrn Ch - MH - Natl Spc Soc meeting DISCUSSION: STELLAR AND GALACTIC DISTANCES - 2/2 PLUS PREPARATION FOR GLOBE at Night Combined meeting with NYSkies Astronomy Inc 315 W 22nd St & 8 Av. Discussion of astro/space topics, show & tell, skywatching reports, news of astro/space activity in NYC vicinity. Free. chapters.nss.org/ny/nyc, astrohal@webtv.net 19:30 - New Britain - CT - Astro Soc of Gtr Hartford meeting Centl Conn St Uv, Copernicus Plm. Free, www.asgh.org, 860-872-9069, pparkerrs@cs.com 20:00 - Coll of Staten Is - SI - clearsky starviewing Astrophys Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. 718-982-2818, robbins@mail.csi.cuny.edu, supernova7.apsc.csi.cuny.edu 20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Feb 3 21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 Thu 18 Feb 19:00 - Waterbury - CT - Mattituck Astro Soc meeting Naugatuck Vy Commty Coll, Ekstrom Hall. Free. mastransit.org, btbrick@mastransit.org 20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 Fri 19 Feb 14:00 - Upton - LI - astronomy ecture Brookhaven Natl Lab, Bldg 510. 'Stellar riddles'. Free, have GI photo ID for campus security. www.bnl.gov, 631-344-8000 15:00 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Feb 5 15:30 - Palisades - NY - science lecture - see Feb 5 18:00 - P S 3 - MH - Greenwich Village Antiquarian Book Fair Thru Sun 21 Feb. 490 Hudson St & Christopher St. Treasure chest of astronomy books, maps, prints. $12 3-day tkt. www.gvabf.org, gvabf2010@gmail,com, ps3nyc.org/bookfair.html 19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Feb 5 19:00 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Feb 5 20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 12 20:00 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc lecture Union Co Coll, Smith Audm. Indoor talk, clearsky starviewing. Free. www.asterism.org 20:30 - Boonton - NJ - clearsky starviewing Sheep Hill Astro Assn obsy, Free, cancelled for clouds. www.uacnj.org/clubs/shaa.htm, ajmonka@att.net Sat 20 Feb 11:00 - Sci Ind Biz Liby - MH - disturbance day Presentations in lecture hall are played thruout library, possibly disturbing every one. SIBL suggests going to other library branches for quiet reading. www.nypl.org/research/sibl 17:30 - Danbury - CT - astronomy lecture - see Feb 6 19:00 - Alley Pond Park - QN - astronomy lecture Alley Pond Enviro Ctr. Indoor lecture, clearksy starviewing. $10 fee. www.alleypond.com, info@alleypond.com, 718-229-4000 20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing Astro Soc of Gtr Hartford, Wesleyan U, Van Vleck Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. www.asgh.org, 860-872-9069, pparkerrs@cs.com 20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - se Feb 6 20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 12 20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Feb 6 Sun 21 Feb 14:00 - Airmont - NY - science show Lwr Hudson Vy Challenger Ctr, 225 Rt 29. Multimedia simulation of space missions. $20 adm. www.lhvcc.com, director@lhvcc.com, 845-257-3416. 20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 Tue 23 Feb 11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture - see Feb 2 18:30 - Hayden Planetarium - MH - Celestial Highlights show Live skyshow of current evening sky. $15 adm. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs 19:00 - New Haven - CT - Astro Soc of New Haven meeting Yale Univ, Leitner Family Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky starviewing. Free. www.asnh.org, prez@asnh.org 19:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Fen 9 Wed 24 Feb 10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Feb 3 15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture - see Feb 3 16:00 - City College - MH - science lecture - see Feb 3 16:15 - Columbia Univ - MH - astronomy lecture - see Feb 3 16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Feb 3 18:00 - Whiskey Park - MH - Space Frontier Foundtn mtg - see Feb 3 18:00 - Columbia University - NH - science lecture Hist of Sci Soc. Mudd Hall, Rm 520. 'History of spaceship Earth science'. Free, adv regn reqd for opt spkr's dinner. jdauben@gc.cuny.edu, gfh2104@columbia.edu, 18:30 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - cultural lecture Linder Thtr. 'The looting of the Iraq Museum'. $15 adm. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs 20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Feb 3 21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 Thu 25 Feb 18:30 - Danbury - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 11 20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 21:00 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 11 Fri 26 Feb 14:30 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Frb 5 15:00 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Feb 5 15:30 - Palisades - NY - science lecture - see Feb 5 19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Feb 5 19:15 - New York University - MH - Physics Club of NY meeting Silver Ctr, Rm 207. Jointly with Chemistry Teacher's Club. Free, bring GI photo ID for campus security. jdepalma@nyc.rr.com, www.sconyc-ny.org 19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Feb 5 20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 Sat 27 Feb 19:00 - Bridgehampton - LI - astronomy lecture Montauk Obsy. Bridgehampton Publ Liby. '50 years of astronomy'. Free www.montaukobservatory.com 20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - se Feb 6 20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 3 20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Feb 6 20:30 - Voorhees St Pk - NJ - NJ Astro Assn meeting NJAA-HQ, Robinson Obsy. Free, indoor lecture, clearsky starviewing. www.njaa.org, 908-368-8600 Sun 28 Feb 20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 5 General news ---------- International Year of Astronomy lives! In January's NYC Events I removed the asterisks against members of this project who worked thru the Night Sky Network in the Index of Events. With astronomy centers vowing to continue the spirit of IYA, I put back the flags. Many spring seasons start in February. Opening events are listed, some with new contacts. Most of the January 'XXX' entries are cleared out and put into their proper dates. Welcome new member Initiative for the Theoretical Science to NYC Events. It holds free public lectures at the CUNY Graduate Center. First one, on Greek astronomy, is on February 8. SIBL stays with NYC Events for its 'disturbance days', altho its superb cultural lectures, mostly for New York City history, are now carried by the 42nd St or Mid Manhattan branches. Event news -------- The trial of the WTC gang is postponed while preparations continue in the streets around the US Court House to increase safety. I now have to list it in the 'XXX' section! When the trial is ready, the lockdown zone will reach out to a full kilometer away. There will be mass shifts in foot, road, air, and rail traffic in and around this zone. Local news media will carry the latest news. The NYSkies Seminar on January 6 discussed 'Planetary and binary stars'. We examined the newly photographed planetary discs of close binaries, newer planetary stars, Mizar & Alcor. Takeaways were charts, fact sheets, assorted news articles. The January 20th Seminar featured 'The aphelic opposition of Mars'. The slideshow covered the Mars orbit, retrograde loop, location of Mars in sky, appulses with other planets and stars, and a silicon photograph of Mars rising among stars over Brooklyn. Intrepid Museum opened during January new exhibition for US explorations of Mars 'Mission to Mars'. See February 1st. The Greenwich Village Antiquarian Book fair opens on February 19. Astronomers converge on bookfairs to load up on books, maps, prints. Many readers thought I threw in a joke event in January for 'Safari 7'. It HAD to be a joke, yes? No, go to its website and print the folder, then take the ride for yourself. Now, really, what did you EXPECT for wildlife in Times Square? The month ended with a return of 'BLAST!' to the City, this time at the Explorers Club on the 25th. NYSkies provided takeaways of EMR and multispectral astronomy. I continue the entry under February 1st for ice skating fields around the City. Their runs extend thru February or March. Because the hours and period of operation vary so much, I gathered them into one entry. You must inquire at each facility for details. NYSkies attended a Night Sky Network conference on January 21 to kick off this year's GLOBE at Night campaign. NYSkies will promote this project among its colleague clubs. NYSkies promotes our profession at Educator Evening on Feb 10. This is an limited audience show for science teachers. GLOVE at Night and Earth Hour will be highlighted in takeaways. SIBL, probably unique among libraries of the country, now has 'disturbance days'. These are days when the library will be filled with audio from certain of its lectures! The sound can be grossly annoying, so the library suggests nearby branches for quiet reading. Please leave the Madoff benches in Central Park alone. I appreciate that many readers really have it in for the fellow and want to vent their anger against the benches. So far, there seems to be only minor damage but they are frequently messy from human and pet toilet functions. Sky news ------ January was mostly cloudy with only a few nights suitable for stargazing. Haze clicked the sky when there were no bulk clouds. It snowed on several days, with minor accumulation that sublimed or melted within a day or so. Best transparency over Manhattan was a normal 4-1/2 and not quite 5th in the outer boros. I got many requests for a more complete timetable for Mars. It's here under February 1st. I also put there an ephemeris for Vesta, now in Leo, so you can watch her with Mars. Please keep these for the rest of their apparitions. Every one got good views of the Mars proximity and opposition. On the 29th the air was about 0C with strong breeze. Stars of quite 4th magn were spotted in and around Orion and in Leo-Big Dipper area, in spite of almost full Moon. In larger scopes the Mars north polar cap was visible but little else on the tiny disc of only 14 second diam. That's the angular size of a US 25c coin seen from about 330 meters away! A few NYSkiers went out in owl hours to look at Saturn. He rised near midnight in January with the north side of his rings facing us. There was an uptick of interest in double stars, likely from the Seminar topic of January 6th, as many NYSkiers inspected old favorites. Some hadn't examined double stars for years, but now see how pretty they are, even in small scopes. Of special interest were Algieba, now also a planetary star, and Castor, whose main pair is easily seen. Even tho solar activity is at an ebb, there are a few reports from northern countries of aurorae. Do keep an eye on the northern sky when outdoors at night. It really helps to know the illuminations in your own local sky to catch the extra ones from a real aurora. Other posts: |