NYC Events 2009 March
Paz
Events. I, too, don't see it any of the usual archives. By the chance
that I missed putting it here last month, I append it below for the
record.
= = = = =
NYC EVENTS FOR MARCH 2009
------------------------
John Pazmino
NYSkies Astronomy Inc
nys...@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
union hallchange 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 'nys...@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.
Hours from March 1 thru 7 are Eastern Standard Time. Hours from
March 8 thru 31 are Eastern daylight Savings Time.
Messier Marathon
--------------
Astronomy clubs stage their Messier Marathon on or about the last
weekend of March. While they are open to visitors, they are special
all-night (litterally!) rounds of observing. A casual visitor will
feel neglected and ignored as the astronomers busy themselfs with
capturing views of all 110 targets of the Messier catalog. There
would
be little time for chat or banter.
I leave out these sessions from NYC Events. However, do ask at
your local club if you want to take part in the Messier Marathon. It
will instruct and adivse you to prepare for it. Remember, you'll be
outdoors and awake from sundown to sunup!
International Year of Astronomy
-----------------------------
IYA is the commemoration of Galileo's use of the telescope to
explore the stars 400 years ago. A worldwide effort is underway to
promote astronomy to the public with increased visibillity of
existing
programs and running new ones. In the US, IYA participation for home
astronomers is thru the Night Sky Network of JPL and ASP.
To enhance visibility of IYA participants in NYSkies territory,
they are marked with an asterisk in the Index of Events. Please call
on them for astronomy advice, consultation, service. As new
affiliates
enter IYA, we'll flag them.
Lack of an NSN/IYA flag does NOT mean the sponsor is 'out of it'!
There is, for logistics and administrative purposes, one or two
affiliates in each market area. For example, in New York City,
NYSkies
handles the home sector of the profession and Columbia Univ Obsy
looks
after the campus sector. Mind well that many members of NYC Events
are
nonastronomy centers who wouldn't take up IYA participation.
Index of Events
-------------
Dates for events; contact if no events
--------------------------------------
BROOKLYN - BK
*Floyd Bennett Field - - - 13
Polytechnic Univ - - - - 30-31
Secret Science Club - - - 4, 18
CONNECTICUT - CT
*A S of Gtr Hartford - - - 18
Astro Soc of Greenwich - 4
*Astro Soc of New Haven - 31
*Bethany Observatory - - - 6
Boothe Meml Astro Soc - - 6, 20
Bowman Observatory - - - 10, 24
CT Tripoli Rocketry Assn 1
Ephemera 29 bookfair - - 20-22
Litchfield bookfair - - - 28-29
Litchfield Hills AAC - - lm...@hotmail.com,
www.fortunecity.com/victorian/twain/1206/id19.htm .
*Mattituck Astro Soc - - - 19
*McCarthy Observatory - - 14
Stamford Observatory - - 6, 13, 20, 27
*Van Vleck Obsy (ASGH) - - 21
Van Vleck Obsy (WU) - - - 4, 25
Western CT St Univ - - - 4
*Westport Astro Soc - - - 4, 5, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 18, 19, 25, 26
LONG ISLAND - LI
*Amat Obsrs Society - - - 1
Astro Soc of Long Island 4, 11, 18, 25
Brookhaven Natl Lab - - - 12, 24
car wheel and tire theft 1-indef
Custer Institute - - - - 7, 14, 21, 28
Hofstra Univ Obsy - - - - 1
Innovative Stone Co - - - 1-indef
Long Islanf bookfair - - 28-29
Montauk Observatory - - - 1
Natl Space Soc-LISS - - - chapters.nss.org/ny/longisland,
trekk...@aol.com
*Robert Moses St Pk - - - 20, 21
Science Club of Long Is - 11
SUNY Stony Brook - - - - 6
MANHATTAN - MH
92nd Street Y - - - - - - www.92y.org, 212-415-5500
Alliance for DT NY - - - 19
Amer Musm Natl Hist - - - 1-29, 1->, 7, 10, 12, 21
Cafe' Science - - - - - - 9
Central Park - - - - - - 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29
City College Physics - - 4, 11, 18, 25
*Columbia Univ Astro - - - 4, 11, 25
*Columbia Univ Obsy - - - 6, 20
comet Lulin - - - - - - - 1
Cornelia St Cafe' - - - - 1
Courant Institute - - - - 4, 11, 25
CUNY Graduate Center - - 4, 17
Earth Institute - - - - - jc2305@.columbia.edu,
www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu
Explorers Club - - - - - 30
Good Housekeeping lab - - 13
Goddard Inst for Spc Std 6
Hayden Planetarium - - - 3, 4, 11, 18, 25, 31
Inst Strings, Cosmology - 6, 13, 20, 27
Inwood Hill Park - - - - 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28
Isaac Asimov Debate - - - 10
Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT subways 1-indef, 7-indef
Natl Space Soc-NYC - - - 5, 19
New York Univ Astro - - - 6, 13, 27
NY Academy of Sciences - 3, 19, 30, 30-31
*NYSkies Astro Seminar - - 5, 19
Observing Group - - - - - 31
peanut butter recall - - 1-indef
Physics Club of NY - - - 13
Rockefeller University - 212-327-8000, www.rockefeller.edu,
pub...@rockefeller.edu
Sci Ind Biz Liby - - - - 3
Serving Science - - - - - 2
South Ferry station - - - 1
South Street Seaport - - 1-indef
The Times Center - - - - 4
*Top of the Lawn - - - - - 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29
Urban Park Rangers - - - 1
Wenner Gren Foundation - 30
World Water Day - - - - - 21
NEW JERSEY - NJ
A A A of Princeton - - - 11
A S of Toms Rv Area - - - 13
*Amat Astro Inc - - - - - 6, 13, 20, 27
Astro2010 town meeting - 10
Buehler-Columbia AAA - - 7, 14, 21, 28
Dark Sky Observers - - - www.users.nac.net/gburke/club
Inst for Advd Study - - - 3, 10, 18, 24
Irons lecture - - - - - - 7
Metra Rocketry Assn - - - metrarocketclub.org, 973-831-7717
Montclair Telescope Club 973-948-5284, bisc...@garden.net,
users.erols.com/njastro/orgs/mtc.hrm
*Morris Musm Astro Soc - - 12
N W Jersey Amat Astro - - www.nwjaa.org, in...@nwjaa.org
Natl Space Soc-NJN - chapters.nss.org/nj/njn, cpan...@aol.com
*New Jersey Astro Assn - - 28
North Jersey Astro Gp - - 5, 11, 12, 26
Ocean County Coll - www.ocean.edu/campus/planetarium, 732-255-0343
Passaic Co Astro Assn www.users.nac.net/gburke/PCAA, 973-523-0024
Princeton Univ Astro - - 3, 10, 24, 31
Princeton Univ Obsy - - - 10
Rutgers Univ Astro Collqm 4, 11, 25
Rutgers Univ Astro Semnr 6, 13, 27
*S*T*A*R - - - - - - - - - 5
Schommer Observatory - - 12, 26
*Sheep Hill Astro Assn - - 1
*Sheep Hill Observatory - 20
Skyland Stargazers - - - skylandstargazers.tripod.com
*Utd Astro Clubs of NJ - - www.uacnj.org
Washington Xing Pk - - - www.princetonastronomy.org, 609-737-2575,
drexp...@aol.com
QUEENS - QN
Hillside shops - - - - - 28
Queens College Physics - 23, 30
REST OF WORLD
STATEN ISLAND - SI
College of Staten Is - - 2, 30
Great Kills Park - - - - 28
Staten Is Community TV - 2
THE BRONX - BX
UPSTATE - NY
Andrus Planetarium - - - 6, 13, 20, 27
*Anthony Wayne Rec Area - 201-768-3298,
webn...@rocklandastronomy.com, www.rocklandastronomy.com
*Catskills Astro Club - - 21, 28
Lamont-Doherty Obsy - - - 6, 13, 27
Lwr Hudson Vy Challgr Ctr 15
Mid-Hudson Astro Assn - - 17
*Rockland Astronomy Club - webn...@rocklandastronomy.com,
www.rocklandastronomy.com, 201-768-3298
Swinging Bridge dam - - - 1-indef
Vassar College Obsy - - - 4, 25
Ward Pound Ridge - - - - XX
Westchester Amat Astro - XX
Wilcox Park - - - - - - - 20
Monthly Calendar
--------------
Plain dates are in current month; minus, last month;
plus, next month.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
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
29 30 31 +1 +2 +3 +4
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 sponsor's contacts.
Prices, for admission or ticket, 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 Mar - DATES NOT SET YET; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
19:00 - Ward Pound Ridge - NY - clearsky starviewing
Westchester Amat Astro. Meadows Picnic Area. Free, cancelled
for clouds. in...@westchesterastronomers.org
www.westchesterastronomers.org,
20:00 - Yonkers - NY - Westchester Amat Astro meeting
Hudson Rv Mus, Andrus Plm. Free.
www.westchesterastronomers.org,
in...@westchesterastronomers.org
Sun 1 Mar
all day - whole City - MH - peanut butter recall
indefinite duration. Removal from sale of products made with
peanut butter. Cookies, crackers, cakes, &c having peanut
butter in them may cause salmonella. Whole peanut butter in
jars is, so far, safe. Check local health service for advice.
all day - Massapequa - LI - car wheel and tire theft
indefinite duration. Thiefs steal entire wheels with tires
from new-model cars in Massapequa and nearby towns. Homes and
car dealers are hit, usually at night. Replacement is some
$500 per wheel! Ask at local police dept and auto insurance.
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 cccc
XX:XX - whole City - MH - cultural tours & lectures
VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
Urban Park Rangers. Tours of parks, lanmdmarks, surrounds.
Lecutres on history and culture of NYC. Program varies each
month. Free. www.nyc.gov/parks
all day - South Street Seaport - MH - Bodies exhibit
CHILDREN SHOULD OBTAIN ADULT GUIDANCE FOR THIS EVENT!
Indefinite duration. 11 Fulton St. About 30 human cadavers,
some intact, some dissected and laid out for inspection of
organs. $27.50 adm. www.southstreetseaport.com
all day - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - science exhibit
Thru Aug 16. 'Climate change'. $24 timed tkt, incl Mus
adm. www.amnh.org/programs, 212-769-5100
all day - Hauppauge - LI - Freedom Tower cornerstone exhibit
Indefinite duration. Innovative Stone Company, show yard.
Actual 20-ton granite inscribed block for Freedom Tower
cornerstone, placed in tower's foundation on 4 July 2004.
Removed for safekeeping until construction can resume. Free.
all day - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - astronomy exhibit
Thru Mar 29. IMAX Corridor. 'Saturn, a new view' with
Cassini images of planet, rings, mooons. Free with Mus adm.
www.amnh.org/programs, 212-769-5100
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
00:01 - South Ferry - MH - new South Ferry station opens
TENTATIVE DATE; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
New station at South Ferry, replaces old one. Connects to SI
Ferry and BMT Whithall St station. Old station preserved for
contingency and shuffling trains between IRT 7th Av and
Lexington Av lines. www.mta.info
12:00 - Bethany - CT - CT Tripoli Rocketry Assn meeting
Bethany Town Hall. Free. www.ctra-narconn.org,
860-583-1690
13:15 - Uniondale - LI - Amat Obsrs Soc meeting
Nassau Commty Coll, Bdg F, Room 123. Free. www.aosny.org,
sue...@optonline.net
18:00 - Montauk - LI - astronomy lecture
OCCASIONAL SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
Montauk Obsy, Montauk Publ Liby. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.montaukobservatory.com
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
19:00 - Hempstead - LI - clearsky starviewing
Hofstra University, Chem-Phys Bdg, Rm 117. Free, cancelled
for clouds. 516-463-2759, www.hofstra.edu/Academics,
obser...@hofstra.edu
19:30 - Boonton - NJ - Sheep Hill Astro Assn meeting
Boonton Town Hall. Free. www.uacnj.org/clubs/shaa.htm,
ajm...@att.net
20:00 - whole City - MH - comet Lulin
Comet Lulin, 2007-N3, reaches binocular range. In Virgo-Leo
near ecliptic, Conjuncts Beehive cluster on 4-6 Mar, then
starts fading rapidly. Elements and epheemris for 0h UT, 19h
EST/20h EDST on PRVIOUS date.
-------------------------------
orbital elements from MPC 65054
--------------------------------
Epoch = 2009 Jan. 9.0 TT = JDT 2454840.5
T = 2009 Jan. 10.6400 q = 1.212267
Peri = 136.8660 Node = 338.5392
e = 0.999986 Incl = 178.3736
ephemeris for March 2009, 0h UT
-------------------------------
Day RA (2000) Decl EarAU SunAU Elong Phs Mag
--- ----------------- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---
01 09 49.77 +12 51.7 0.451 1.431 164.8 10.4 6.3
02 09 33.59 +14 09.8 0.467 1.439 159.7 13.8 6.4
03 09 18.48 +15 18.4 0.487 1.447 154.9 16.9 6.5
04 09 04.47 +16 17.9 0.508 1.455 150.4 19.7 6.7
05 08 51.57 +17 09.2 0.531 1.463 146.1 22.2 6.8
06 08 39.73 +17 53.1 0.556 1.471 142.2 24.4 6.9
07 08 28.91 +18 30.7 0.582 1.480 138.6 26.3 7.0
08 08 19.02 +19 02.8 0.610 1.488 135.2 28.0 7.2
09 08 10.01 +19 30.1 0.638 1.497 132.0 29.5 7.3
10 08 01.79 +19 53.5 0.668 1.506 129.0 30.8 7.4
11 07 54.30 +20 13.4 0.698 1.515 126.2 31.9 7.5
12 07 47.47 +20 30.5 0.729 1.523 123.6 32.9 7.6
13 07 41.23 +20 45 2 0.761 1.532 121.1 33.7 7.8
14 07 35.53 +20 57.8 0.793 1.541 118.8 34.4 7.9
15 07 30.33 +21 08 7 0.825 1.551 116.6 35.0 8.0
16 07 25.56 +21 18.1 0.858 1.560 114.5 35.5 8.1
17 07 21.20 +21 26 3 0.891 1.569 112.4 35.9 8.2
18 07 17.19 +21 33.4 0.925 1.578 110.5 36.2 8.3
19 07 13.52 +21 39 5 0.959 1.588 108.6 36.5 8.4
20 07 10.14 +21 45.0 0.993 1.597 106.9 36.6 8.5
21 07 07.04 +21 49 7 1.027 1.606 105.1 36.8 8.6
22 07 04.18 +21 53.8 1.061 1.616 103.5 36.8 8.7
23 07 01.55 +21 57 5 1.095 1.626 101.9 36.9 8.8
24 06 59.12 +22 00.7 1.130 1.635 100.3 36.9 8.9
25 06 56.89 +22 03 6 1.164 1.645 98.8 36.8 9.0
26 06 54.83 +22 06.1 1.199 1.655 97.3 36.7 9.1
27 06 52.93 +22 08 3 1.233 1.664 95.9 36.6 9.2
28 06 51.18 +22 10.3 1.268 1.674 94.5 36.5 9.3
29 06 49.57 +22 12 1 1.303 1.684 93.2 36.3 9.3
30 06 48.08 +22 13.6 1.337 1.694 91.8 36.1 9.4
31 06 46.71 +22 15 0 1.372 1.704 90.5 35.9 9.5
-----------------------------------------------------
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing
PLUS OCCASIONAL EXTRA SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
Top of the Lawn. North side of Great Lawn. Free, cancelled
for
clouds. tag...@yahoo.com, www.nyskies.org
Mon 2 Mar
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
19:00 - Coll of Staten Is - SI - clearsky starviewing
Astrophys Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. 718-982-2818,
rob...@mail.csi.cuny.edu, supernova7.apsc.csi.cuny.edu
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 3 Mar
11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture
Princeton Univ, Bloomberg Hall. Free.
www.sns.ias.edu/astro/astrocal.php,
wse...@astro.princeton.edu
16:30 - Princeton - NJ - astronomy lecture
Princeton Univ, Peyton Hall. Free. kfe...@princeton.edu,
www.astro.princeton.edu/events/colloquium2009
18:00 - NY Academy of Sci - MH - science lecture
'Glass buildings: the energy challenge'. $20 adm.
www.nyas.org, 212-838-0230.
18:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Virtual Universe shoe
Live skyshow of computer graphics and astro databases.
$15 adm. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs
17:30 - Sci Ind Biz Liby - MH - science lecture
'Railroad electrification: advantages and costs'. Free.
212-592-7000, www.nypl.org/research/sibl
Wed 4 Mar
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 Thu - 8 Nov
15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture
251 Mercer St. Various topics in geophysics and earth
science. Free. caos.cims.nyu.edu, sha...@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,
phy...@sci.ccny.cuny.edu, 212-650-6832
16:15 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture
Pupin Hall, Rm 1332. Free. www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach,
212-854-3278, outreac...@astro.columbia.edu
16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
Rutgers Univ, Busch Campus, Phys Lectr Hall. Free.
732-445-3974, www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium
18:30 - The Times Center - MH - science lecture
242 W 41 St, 7/8 Av. 'Darwin 200: evolution and the ethical
brain'. Free, adv regn reqd. 610-941-4029,
templeton.org/events/public_lectures
18:30 - Danbury - CT - clearsky starviewing
W Conn St Uv, Plm/Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds.
www.wcsu.edu/starwatch, 203-837-8671, aws...@wcsu.edu
18:30 - CUNY Graduate Center - MH - science show
'Our future scientists: a town meeting" film and discussion.
Free, adv regn reqd. 212-817-8215, web.gc.cuny.edu/cepp,
contin...@gc.cuny.edu
19:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing
Inwood Astronomy Project. Meet at park entrance, Seaman Av &
isham St. Free, cancelled for clouds. www.inwoodastronomy.org,
jken...@moonbeam.net
19:30 - Greenwich - CT - Astro Soc of Greenwich meeting
Bruce Museum. Free. rb...@juno.com, www.seocom.com/asg,
203-896-6786-x338
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing
Wesleyan U, Van Vleck Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds.
860-685-3664, www.wesleyan.edu/astro/events
20:00 - Union Hall - BK - Secret Science Club meeting
702 Union St, 5 Av. Lecture and music on various science
topics. Free. secretscienceclub.blogspot.com, 718-638-4400,
www.unionhallny.com/events
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing
Westport Astro Soc. Rolnick Obsy. Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting
Vanderbilt Plm. Free. www.asliclub.org, in...@asliclub.org /
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing
Vassar College, Observatory. Free, cancelled for clouds.
physicsandastronomy.vassar.edu/observatory.html,
845-437-7340
Thu 5 Mar
19:00 - St Paul's Lutheran Ch - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
TOPIC: SPACE MISSIONS OF 2009
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. nys...@nyskies.org, www.nyskies.org,
212-273-5958
19:00 - St Paul's Luthrn Ch - MH - Natl Spc Soc meeting
TOPIC: SPACE MISSIONS OF 2009
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,
astr...@webtv.net
20:00 - Upr Montclair - NJ - clearsky starviewing
No Jersey Astro Gp. Montclair St Univ, Richardson Hall.
Free, cancelled for clouds. njastro.org, 973-655-7266,
we...@mail.montclair.edu
20:00 - Lincroft - NJ - S*T*A*R meeting
Brookdale Commty Coll, Mommouth Museum. Free.
www.starastronomy.org, s-wa...@comcast.net
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
Fri 6 Mar
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,
pfor...@giss.nasa.gov
14:00 - Columbia Univ - MH - ISCAP meeting
Inst for Strings, Cosmlgy, and Astropartcl Phys. Pupin Hall,
Rm 908. Discussion of cosmology and string theory. Free.
www.iscap.columbia.edu
14:30 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture
Meyer Hall, 5th fl. Various topics in astrophys and
relativity. Free. physics,nyu.edu, dgs...@nyu.edu,
212-998-7706
15:00 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
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, jsme...@ldeo.columbia.edu,
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, outreac...@astro.columbia.edu
19:00 - Bethany - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of New Haven. Yale Univ, Bethany Obsy. Free,
cancelled for clouds. www.asnh.org, pr...@asnh.org
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 - 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, slutt...@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
20:00 - Stratford - CT - Boothe Meml Astro Soc mtg
Boothe Meml Pk, Obsy. Free. www.bmas.org, in...@bmas.org
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing
Stamford Obsy. $3 adm, cancelled for clouds.
www.stamfordmuseum.org, cesc...@earthlink.net, 203-322-6537
Sat 7 Mar
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 cccc
13:30 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - science tour
Roosevelt Rotunda. 'Human evolution: meet your ancestors',
exhibits and halls relating to human origins. Free with musm
adm. www.amnh.org/programs, 212-769-5100
14:00 - Piscataway - NJ - Irons lecture and show
Rutgers Univ, Busch Campus, Phys Lectr Hall. 'Levitation,
superconductivity, and the world's largest magnets'. Free.
732-445-5500 x4277, fr...@physics.rutgers.edu,
www.physics.rutgers.edu
19:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture
Bergen Commty Coll, Buehler Obsy. Free.
www.bergen.edu/buehler, rops...@bergen.edu.
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting
Custer Instt. Free. www.custerobservatory.org,
bva...@aol.com
Mon 9 Mar
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,
cafes...@columbia.edu
Tue 10 Mar
11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture - see Mar 3
14:00 - Princeton - NJ - Astro2010 symposium
Princeton Univ, Jadwin Hall, Rm 400. Talks, discussion on
the Decadal Survey for astronomy. Free, adv regn reqd.
www.astro.princeton.edu/astroevents/decadal,
ne...@astro.princeton.edu
16:30 - Princeton - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Mar 3
19:30 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - Isaac Asimov Debate
LeFrak Thtr. 'From planets to plotoids'. $15 adm
www.amnh.org/programs, 212-769-5100
20:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of Greenwich. Julian Curtis Elem Schl, Bowman
Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. rb...@juno.com,
www.seocom.com/asg, 203-896-6786-x338
20:00 - Princeton - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Princeton Univ, Peyton Hall. Free, cancelled for clouds
www.astro.princeton.edu/events.htm,
wse...@astro.princeton.edu
Wed 11 Mar
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Mar 4
15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture - see Mar 4
16:00 - City College - MH - science lecture - see Mar 4
16:15 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Mar 4
16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Mar 4
19:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
19:30 - South Huntington - LI - science lecture
Sci Club of LI. So Huntington Liby. 'Supernova explosions in
space'. Free. www.sciencecluboflongisland.com, 631-421-1523,
in...@sciencecluboflongisland.com
20:00 - Princeton - NJ - Amat Astro Assn of Princeton meeting
Princeton U, Peyton Hall. Free. www.princetonastronomy.org,
609-737-2575, drexp...@aol.com
20:00 - Upr Montclair - NJ - No Jersey Astro Gp meeting
Montclair St Univ, Richardson Hall, Room 232. Free.
njastro.org, 973-655-7266, mw...@pegasus.montclair.edu
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Mar 4
Thu 12 Mar
15:00 - Upton - LI - astronomy lecture
Brookhaven Natl Lab, Bdg 510. 'The 5-year WMAP
observations: cosmological interpretation'. Free, have GI
photo ID for campus security. www.bnl.gov, 631-344-8000
18:30 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - science lecture
Kaufmann Thtr. 'Our energy future'. $15 adm
www.amnh.org/programs, 212-769-5100
19:30 - Morristown - NJ - Morris Mus Astro Soc mtg
Morris Museum. Free. 973-386-1848, tedbark...@att.net,
www.morrismuseum.org/static/education/astronomical.html
20:00 - Upr Montclair - NJ - clearsky starviewing
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
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
pr...@physics.rutgers.edu
Fri 13 Mar
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, ghri...@hearst.com
14:00 - Columbia Univ - MH - ISCAP meeting - see Mar 6
14:30 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Mar 6
15:00 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Mar 6
15:30 - Palisades - NY - science lecture - see Mar 6
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, webm...@astra-nj.org
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Mar 6
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..
jdep...@nyc.rr.com, www.sconyc-ny.org
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Mar 6
20:00 - Floyd Bennett Field - BK - clearsky starviewing
Natl Park Svc. Model airplane flying field. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.nyskies.org, stephe...@nyc.rr.com,
nys...@nyskies.org
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 6
Sat 14 Mar
19:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Mar 7
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Mar 7
20:00 - New Milford - CT - astronomy lecture
McCarthy Obsy, New Miford HS. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. free. www.mccarthyobservatory.org,
860-354-1595, con...@mccarthyobservatory.org,
Sun 15 Mar
14:00 - Airmont - NY - science show
Lwr Hudson Vy Challenger Ctr, 225 Rt 29. Multimedia
simulation of space missions. $20 adm. www.lhvcc.com,
dire...@lhvcc.com, 845-257-3416.
Tue 17 Mar
11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture - see Mar 3
18:30 - CUNY Graduate Center - MH - science show
'Experimental man' on use and meaning of medical tests.
Free. 212-817-8215, web.gc.cuny.edu/cepp,
contin...@gc.cuny.edu
19:30 - New Paltz - NY - Mid Hudson Astro Assn meeting
SUNY New Paltz, Coykendall Audm. Free. 845-485-5669,
www.midhudsonastro.org, tra...@hvc.rr.com
20:00 - Westport - CT - Westport Astro Soc meeting
Rolnick Obsy. Free. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
19:00 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Mar 6
Wed 18 Mar
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Mar 4
16:00 - City College - MH - science lecture - see Mar 4
19:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
19:30 - New Britain - CT - Astro Soc of Gtr Hartford meeting
Centl Conn St Uv, Copernicus Plm. Free, www.asgh.org,
860-872-9069, ppar...@cs.com
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
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Mar 4
Thu 19 Mar
18:00 - NY Academy of Sci - MH - science lecture
'NYC educational initiative roundtable & mixer'. $20 adm.
www.nyas.org, 212-838-0230.
18:00 - Jewish Heritage Museum - MH - cultural lecture
Alliance for Downtown New York.'Downtown New York in the
Second World War'. Free, adv regn reqd.
downtownny.com/thirdthursdays
19:00 - St Paul's Lutheran Ch - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
TOPIC: WHY DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME?
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. nys...@nyskies.org, www.nyskies.org,
212-273-5958
19:00 - St Paul's Luthrn Ch - MH - Natl Spc Soc meeting
TOPIC: WHY DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME?
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,
astr...@webtv.net
19:00 - Waterbury - CT - Mattituck Astro Soc meeting
Naugatuck Vy Commty Coll, Ekstrom Hall. Free.
mastransit.org, btb...@mastransit.org
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
Fri 20 Mar
09:00 - Old Greenwich - CT - Ephwmwe-29 bookfair
Thru Sun 22 Mar. Regency hotel. Source for astronomy books,
maps, prints. $12 3-day tkt. www.falmingoeventz.com,
603-509-2639
14:00 - Columbia Univ - MH - ISCAP meeting - see Mar 6
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Mar 6
19:30 - Wilcox Pk - NY - clearsky starviewing
Mid Hudson Astro Assn. Free, cancelled for clouds
www.midhudsonastro.org. 845-485-5669, tra...@hvc.cc.com
20:00 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc lecture
Union Co Coll, Smith Audm. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asterism.org
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing
Amat Obsrs Soc. Parking field #2, Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.aosny.org, sue...@optonline.net
20:00 - Stratford - CT - Boothe Meml Astro Soc mtg - see Mar 6
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 6
20:30 - Boonton - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Sheep Hill Astro Assn obsy, Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.uacnj.org/clubs/shaa.htm, ajm...@att.net
Sat 21 Mar
11:00 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - World Water Day show
Hall of Ocean Life. Talks, demos, exhibits relating to water
and oceans. Free with musm adm. www.amnh.org/programs,
212-769-5100
19:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
20:00 - Liberty - NY - clearsky starviewing
Catskills Astro Club. Walnut Mountain Pk. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.catskillsastro.org, ko...@verizon.net.
20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Mar 7
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Mar 7
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 20
21:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of Gtr Hartford, Wesleyan U, Van Vleck Obsy. Free,
cancelled for clouds. www.asgh.org, 860-872-9069,
ppar...@cs.com
Mon 23 Mar
12:00 - Queens College - QN - science lecture
Physcics Conf Rm, B326. Various topics in physics and
astronomy. Free. www.physics.qc.edu/colloq.php, 718-997-3350
Tue 24 Mar
11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture - see Mar 3
15:00 - Upton - LI - astronomy lecture
Brookhaven Natl Lab, Bdg 510. 'Dark matter'. Free, have GI
photo ID for campus security. www.bnl.gov, 631-344-8000
16:30 - Princeton - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Mar 3
20:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 10
Wed 25 Mar
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Mar 4
15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture - see Mar 4
16:00 - City College - MH - science lecture - see Mar 4
16:15 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Mar 4
16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Mar 4
19:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Mar 4
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
Thu 26 Mar
20:00 - Upr Montclair - NJ - clearsky starviewing
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
21:00 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 12
Fri 27 Mar
14:00 - Columbia Univ - MH - ISCAP meeting - see Mar 6
14:30 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Mar 6
15:00 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see mar 6
15:30 - Palisades - NY - science lecture - see Mar 6
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Mar 6
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Mar 6
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 6
Sat 28 Mar
10:15 - Hillside shops - QN - cultural tour
Electric Railroaders Assn. meet at LIRR Jamaica sta, tkt
offc, Sutphin Bv & Archer Av. Walk & ride thru history and
culture of mainline railroad shops. $20 tkt, adv regn reqd.
201-684-9408, sidk...@optonline.net,
11:00 - Garden City - LI - Long Island Book & Wphwmwe Fair
Thru Sun 29 Mar. Field House, 792 Stewart Av. Source for
astronomy books, maps, porints. $6 2-day tkt. 603-509-2639,
www.flamingoeventz.com
16:00 - Litchfield - CT - Litchfield Antqrn Book & Ephemra Fair
Thru Sun 29 Mar. Litchfield Commty Ctr, 421 Bantam Rd/Rt 202.
Source for astronomy books, maps, porints. $6 2-day tkt.
bgve...@bookfairs.com, bookfairs.com, 413-528-2327
19:30 - Great Kills Pk - SI - clearsky starviewing
Natl Pk Svc. Enter from Hylan Bv to model flying field.
Free, cancelled for clouds. www.nps.gov/gate, 718-987-6790
19:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 4
20:00 - Liberty - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 21
20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Mar 7
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Mar 7
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
Mon 30 Mar
12:00 - Queens College - QN - science lecture - see Mar 23
15:15 - Polytechnic University - BK - science conference
Thru Tue 31 Mar. NY Academy of Sci. 'Against the deluge:
storm
surge barriers to protect New York City'. $200, incl procdgs
&
dinners, adv regn reqd. www.nyas.org, 212-838-0230.
18:00 - Explorers Club - MH - science lecture
46 E 70 St. 'To the end of the Earth" on early exploration of
the North Pole. $20 tkt. www.explorers.org, 212-628-8383
18:00 - Wenner-Gren Foundation - MH - science lecture
NY Academy of Sci. 470 Park Av South, 8th floor. 'The public
framing of science'. $20 adm. www.nyas.org, 212-838-0230.
20:00 - Coll of Staten Is - SI - clearsky starviewing
Astrophys Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. 718-982-2818,
rob...@mail.csi.cuny.edu, supernova7.apsc.csi.cuny.edu
Tue 31 Mar
16:30 - Princeton - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Mar 3
18:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Celestial Highlights
Live skyshow of current evening sky. $15 adm.
212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs
19:00 - Downtwon Youth Commty Ctr - MH - Observing Group meeting
120 Warren St & West St. Indoor meeting, occasional clearsky
starviewng. 718-522-5014.
19:00 - New Haven - CT - Astro Soc of New Haven meeting
Yale Univ, Leitner Family Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asnh.org, pr...@asnh.org
Special news
----------
As an example of a host facility closure, look at the Sports
Museum of America. It opened in spring 2008 in Lower Manhattan with
reasonably good chance of success. When the economy fell apart,
attendance slumped, gift shop sales collapsed, donations dried up.
It closed its doors in February, probably for good. The shutdown
had no warning, announcement, notice. If it hosted a club, perhaps a
sports history circle, the club showed up for its meeting to find the
place locked and dark!
From previous months of NYC Events I got some whining complaints
about 'scaring' clubs with my commentary. There are real instances
out
there to see for your self. Take a walk thru your own downtown.
With the rash of layoffs and furloughs and cancelled pay raises,
astronomers may now be out of action to carry out their functions for
the club. Some clubs report to me they are hurting from drasticly
lower dues renewal for 2009. This cuts deeply into the club revenue
and decimates its staff.
Astronomy in particular has an other wrench in the works. 2009 is
International Year of Astronomy, set up by UNESCO and IAU several
years ago in the good times. One goal is to enlarge public visibility
of our profession.
The ability to improve visibility by enhanced or new astronomy
programs could be impaired severely. Not only may there less routine
funds of the past, there could be a lessened cooperation among
centers, most being now impoverished. Home astronomy clubs, once
counting on crew and services from their host facilities, may find
these withdrawn or curtailed or burdened by fees.
General news
----------
NYC Events readership soared during January and February 2009, a
derivative of the depressed global economy. Astronomers, like most
other people, don't got the itchy quarter to spend on astronomy
events. They are turning to NYC Events for low-cost or free astronomy
activities to continue their starry nourishment.
This new influx of readers should call to you who run astronomy
events. THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE LOOKING FOR YOU!
Make it easy for them to find you and your meetings. MAKE SURE
you
addiurnate the information on your website. Out of date, wrong,
vague,
missing information presents to your readers a juvenile image of you.
Look at your website. Is important information easy to get at? Do
you employ simple graphics and text so any one can play the page? Are
colors and backgrounds pleasing to read thru? Do you have fiddly
gadgets to reveal information that could should be out in the open?
Please bear in mind that every reader of your website is a potential
visitor of your meetings.
As a start, post the dates for the next several months, rather
than only the very next date. Be specially careful about giving only
a
rule, like 'third Tuesday of the month'. You WILL have exceptions
from
time to time, which readers may not notice. A list of dates, with any
exceptions flagged, is the only one and best way to announce your
events.
To assure your reader that the dates are current, include the
year, at least in the title of the list. There are websites out there
with 2008 material that can be quite easily mistaken for 2009.
Westchester Amateur Astronomers seems to have continued trouble
with its website in January 2009. When running, it it still has
material from 2008. I leave it in the 'XXX' section.
Secret Science Club resumes meetings at Bell House, in addition
to
its main home at Union Hall. It has two sessions in March, one at
each.
College of Staten Island in mid February updated its schedule of
sessions. Partly to make up for the delay, it has two in March, on
the
2nd and 30th.
Event news
--------
The new South Ferry station is not yet open. It was to be in
service on/about February 1st. Technical glitches are holding up the
works, with no new date announced. I put it under March 1st. It
replaces the present small curved station that is antiquated for
modern transit service. The new station is under the old and connects
with the DI Ferry terminal and BMT Whitehall St station.
February 17th was going to be the end of analog broadcast TV
signal in the VHF band! Barely a week before then, President Obama
signed an extension of analog signal until June 12th. By June 12th
ALL
over-the-air television is in digital signal in the UHF band.
In spite of the four month relief, you must RIGHT NOW get on with
converting to digital service. do NOT wait until June 11th!!
All of the VHF analog channels in New York City, as at February
2009, have digital equivalents. They may, as they decide to,
terminate
their analog signal between now and June 12. When in digital mode,
you
punch '7' on your controller wand and get the new digital channel 7.
One channel, that favorite channel, DOES NOT HAVE a digital
counterpart yet. That's channel 13. It offers ONLY the analog VHF
broadcast and will not go to digital broadcast as digital channel 13
until June 12.
Yet it advertises a channel '13 HD'. This is a non-over-the-air
programming available thru cable. You can not receive it via rabbit-
ears. The station is pretty weak in clarifying this situation. It
took
me a couple days to figure out why I can not pick up 13-HD thru my D/
A
converter box. It isn't there.
February 20-22 was the Greenwich Village bookfair. NYSkiers
winged
their way to the show to scoop up astronomy books, maps, prints. Who
trotted home with the 'Lec,ons in mechanique celeste' by Poincare'?
Or
the 'History of astronomy in the 19th century' by Clerke?
Several more bookfairs run in March, to further slake your thirst
for astronomy material. They are on Mar 20-22 in Old Greenwich CT,
Mar 28-29 in Litchfield CT, Mar 28-29 in Garden City LI.
One big scare evaporated in February. Barnes & Noble seemed to
stop selling the magazine Sky at Night. Reports from late January
indicated that the store no longer carried it and the last issue on
shelf was December 2008.
On/about February 1st the January 2009 issue arrived. NYSkiers
bolted to their nearest B&N to grab a copy. On/about February 19th
the
February 2009 issue was on shelf. Again a flurry of runs to the
nearest B&N. Some NYSkiers, to avoid such frights in the future, now
subscribe to the magazine.
On February 17th NYC Mayor Bloomberg released 'Climate change
information' report on how climate may evolve over the City. This is
a
MUST READ for all astronomers. While the details are restricted only
to the City, they are roughly applicable thruout NYSkies land. Ignore
it at your own risk.
The report presents ranges of plausible and reasonable worsening
of climate that affects the City. It's also a guide to protect its
City's critical services and facilities. For stargazing, it implies
fewer clear nights, more miserable ambient conditions, wet or flooded
observing sites.
What's crucial to note is that the report participants are not
the
pin-heads. They are the scions of industry and commerce, the folk you
love to hate for trashing stargazing in Rest-of-World. Here in the
City, they realize that UNLESS and UNTIL we wise up and respond
rationally, we could be in for a lousy century. a hundred years of
more hot days and heatstorms, more rain and mist and haze, more sea
level rise and flooding. We may face more damage to pipes, ducts,
cables, vaults, underground rooms, tunnels, rails, roads,
Sky news
------
Weather overall in February was lousy, with cloud, haze, snow,
rain. The days were sunny, but the nights were not clear enough for
good skywatching. But on the 23rd the sky cleared up to reveal 5th
magnitude stars in the outer boros, 41/2 to not quite 5th on
Manhattan! It gave wonderful views of comet Lulin, then sitting next
to Saturn.
The Pleiades occultation of February 3rd was clouded out, with
rain in some parts of NYSkies land. There are a few more chances late
in the year.
Pollux is high south in evening, the brightest planetary star yet
found. While its planet is only indirectly monitored, observers can
still wonder if the folk up there are watching us. There are several
other planetary stars in the late winter sky. Check them out:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Star HD # RA (2000) Decl Mag LY Sun SMA Mjup Period Year
------- ----- ---------------- --- --- --- ----- ----- ------ ----
eps Eri 22049 03h32.9m -09d27m 3.7 10 2.3 0.86 3.3 2502.1 2000
0.1 40 9999 2003
eps Tau 28305 04h28.6m +19h11m 3.5 155 8.2 7.6 1.93 594.9 2007
6 Lyn 45410 06h30.8m +58d10m 5.9 186 8.6 2.4 2.2 899 2008
bet Gem 62509 07h45.3m +28d02m 1.2 34 4.9 2.9 1.69 589.6 2006
pi2 UMa 73108 08h40.2m +64d20m 4.6 252 9.2 7.1 0.87 269.3 2007
rho1Cnc 75732 08h52.6m +28d20m 6.0 44 5.3 0.82 0.12 14.7 1996
0.17 0.24 44.3 2001
3.84 5.77 5218 2001
0.03 0.04 2.8 2004
0.14 0.78 260 2007
47 UMa 95128 10h59.5m +40d26m 5.0 45 5.5 2.6 2.11 1083.2 1996
0.76 3.73 2594 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------
Venus shined brightly in the west, shrinking in phase rapidly
while swelling in angular size. The two effects about compensated to
keep Venus at about the same brilliance. She slips lower in the west
toward her own solar conjunction in March.
Saturn is in the evening sky with his rings almost flattened out.
They are opened a teeny bit more than in January and will stay that
way thru summer. The rings were in January the shallowest to us until
the crossing.
Remember that this year's ring crossing occurs near Saturn's
superior conjunction and is not easily observable by conventional
means. Now, RIGHT NOW, is the BEST views you'll have of the thin
rings. In the 2010 apparition of Saturn, the rings will be obviously
opened, showing their northern face.
Comet Lulin brightened slowly into binocular range as it raced
westward thru Leo. On the 23rd it sat just south of Saturn; on the
27th, just south of Regulus. On March 4-6 it glides by the Beehive
cluster, but will already be in a rapid fading. By month end, Lulin
will be a target only in only large scopes as it both fades and nears
the Sun.
Daylight Savings Time begins on March 8 Sunday at 02:00 EST. This
instantly becomes 03:00 EDST. It may be easier to move your clock
forward, ahead, one hour when retiring on the night of the 7th. You
then wake up on the 8th on the correct EDST hour.
The solar activity on the whole is at an ebb. We're some where
between the old cycle and the new, with a couple NEW spots breaking
out from the OLD cycle. At the same time, there are a few major
eruptions that cause geomagnetic storms. That means we COULD see
aurorae. It's not easy to spot an aurora from New York, but we DO get
a pleasing display once or twice each decade. keep your eyes open and
be thoroly intimately familiar with your sky's normal glows.