NYC Events 2009 January
Paz
-------------------------
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
change by their sponsors. Check with their contacts. Let the sponsor
know that you learned of its event thru NYC Events.
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.
All hours are Eastern Standard Time.
Observer's Handbook
-----------------
NYSkies once again offered the Observer's Handbook, from Royal
Astronomical Society of Canada, at steep discount, with NO MINIMUM
number of copies required. The price was $20, with pack & post to
your
US postal address.
Why is this in the past tense? Because as at mid December 2008,
every last copy was in your ahnds! Thank you, one and all, for your
requests! We were pleased and proud to fill them!!
Economy considerations
--------------------
With the decline of the global economy, there could be sudden
changes in the listed events. Many are hosted by facilities subject
to
shortfalls of funding, such as museums and parks. Cutbacks may force
the event to shift day, hour, location, or be cancelled. The change
may be issued with short leadtime.
Please check with the event contact for last minute advisements.
Mind well that the event sponsor usually has no effective influence
on
the necessity to alter the event.
Events that have an admission fee may offer extra discounts or
waive the fee. Some already did so during October and November 2008.
The free or reduced admission may apply only for certain days or
hours
and may be announced on short notice.
Please check with the event contacts for latest news.
International Year of Astronomy
-----------------------------
IYA is the commemoration of galuleo'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. It held a teleconference on
December
11th for a kibk off meeting. NYSkies and about 20 centers around the
country attended.
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 with cultural or occasional astronomy events.
Index of Events
-------------
Dates for events; contact if no events
--------------------------------------
BROOKLYN - BK
*Floyd Bennett Field - - - www.nyskies.org,
stephe...@nyc.rr.com,
nys...@nyskies.org
Secret Science Club - - - 13
CONNECTICUT - CT
*A S of Gtr Hartford - - - 21
Astro Soc of Greenwich - rb...@juno.com, www.seocom.com/asg,
203-896-6786-x338
*Astro Soc of New Haven - 27
*Bethany Observatory - - - 30
Boothe Meml Astro Soc - - 2, 16
Bowman Observatory - - - 13, 27
CT Tripoli Rocketry Assn XX
Litchfield Hills AAC - - lm...@hotmail.com,
www.fortunecity.com/victorian/twain/1206/id19.htm .
*Mattituck Astro Soc - - - 15
*McCarthy Observatory - - 10
Stamford Observatory - - 2, 9, 16, 23, 30,
*Van Vleck Obsy (ASGH) - - 31
Van Vleck Obsy (WU) - - - 21, 28
Western CT St Univ - - - XX
*Westport Astro Soc - - - 7, 8, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29
LONG ISLAND - LI
*Amat Obsrs Society - - - 4
Astro Soc of Long Island 7, 14, 21, 28
Brookhaven Natl Lab - - - www.bnl.gov, 631-344-8000
Custer Institute - - - - 3, 7, 10, 17, 24, 31
Hofstra Univ Obsy - - - - XX
Innovative Stone Co - - - 1-indef
*Jones Beach State Park - 30
Montauk Observatory - - - 1
Natl Space Soc-LISS - - - chapters.nss.org/ny/longisland,
trekk...@aol.com
*Robert Moses St Pk - - - 2, 3, 23, 24, 30, 31
Science Club of Long Is - www.sciencecluboflongisland.com,
631-421-1523, in...@sciencecluboflongisland.com
SUNY Stony Brook - - - - www.ess.sunysb.edu/astro, 631-632-8100,
slutt...@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
MANHATTAN - MH
207th St shops tour - - - 25
92nd Street Y - - - - - - www.92y.org, 212-415-5500
Amer Mus Natl Hist - - - 1->, 1->, 1-28, 6, 8, 24
Cafe' Science - - - - - - 12
Central Park - - - - - - 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-31
Charmin restrooms - - - - 1
Citigroup Center - - - - 1-2
City College Physics - - 28
Columbia Univ Astro - - - XX
*Columbia Univ Obsy - - - XX
Cornelia St Cafe' - - - - 4
Courant Institute - - - - XX
CUNY Graduate Center - - XX
Earth Institute - - - - - s...@ei.columbia.edu,
www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu,
Goddard Inst for Spc Std 9
Hayden Planetarium - - - 6, 7, 14, 15, 21, 27, 28
Inst Strings, Cosmology - XX
Judson Memorial Church - 29
Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT subways 3-indef, 4-indef
Natl Space Soc-NYC - - - 1, 15
New York Univ Astro - - - 23
NY Academy of Sciences - 6, 12
*NYSkies Astro Seminar - - 1, 15
Physics Club of NY - - - 9
Rockefeller University - 212-327-8000, www.rockefeller.edu,
pub...@rockefeller.edu
Rubin Museum of Art - - - 11
Sci Ind Biz Liby - - - - 8
Serving Science - - - - - XX
South Street Seaport - - 1-indef, 1-28
*Top of the Lawn - - - - - 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-31
Urban Park Rangers - - - 1
NEW JERSEY - NJ
A A A of Princeton - - - 13
A S of Toms Rv Area - - - 9
*Amat Astro Inc - - - - - 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Buehler-Columbia AAA - - 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Dark Sky Observers - - - www.users.nac.net/gburke/club
Inst for Advd Study - - - 27
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 Mus Astro Soc - - 8
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 - - www.njaa.org, 908-368-8600
North Jersey Astro Gp - - 14, 15, 22, 29
Ocean County Coll - - - - 9
Passaic Co Astro Assn - - 8
Princeton Univ Obsy - - - 13
Rutgers Univ Astro Colloq 21, 28
Rutgers Univ Astro Semnr 30
*S*T*A*R - - - - - - - - - 8
Schommer Observatory - - 8, 22
*Sheep Hill Astro Assn - - 4
*Sheep Hill Observatory - 16
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
Queens College Physics - XX
REST OF WORLD
President inauguration - 20
STATEN ISLAND - SI
College of Staten Is - - XX
Great Kills Park - - - - www.nps.gov/gate, 718-987-6790
Staten Is Community TV - 5
THE BRONX - BX
UPSTATE - NY
Andrus Planetarium - - - 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
*Anthony Wayne Rec Area - 201-768-3298,
webn...@rocklandastronomy.com, www.rocklandastronomy.com
*Catskills Astro Club - - XX
Lamont-Doherty Obsy - - - 23, 30
Lwr Hudson Vy Challgr Ctr 18
Mid-Hudson Astro Assn - - XX
*Rockland Astronomy Club - webn...@rocklandastronomy.com,
www.rocklandastronomy.com, 201-768-3298
Swinging Bridge dam - - - 1-indef
Vassar College Obsy - - - 21, 28
Ward Pound Ridge - - - - XX
Westchester Amat Astro - 9
Wilcox Park - - - - - - - 16
Monthly Calendar
--------------
Plain dates are in current month; minus, last month;
plus, next month.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
-28 -29 -30 -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 29 30 31
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 Jan - DATES NOT SET YET; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
12:00 - Bethany - CT - CT Tripoli Rocketry Assn meeting
Bethany Town Hall. Free. www.ctra-narconn.org,
860-583-1690
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
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
15:00 - Danbury - CT - astronomy lecture
Also 17:00. W Conn St Uv, Plm/Obsy. Indoor plm show,
clearsky starviewing at 20:00. Free. www.wcsu.edu/starwatch,
203-837-8671, aws...@wcsu.edu
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
16:15 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture
Pupin Hall, Rm 1332. Free. www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach,
212-854-3278, outreac...@astro.columbia.edu
18:00 - Kouzan Restaurant - NH - 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
18:00 - 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
18:30 - CUNY Graduate Center - MH - science lecture
'[program not set yet]'. Free. 212-817-8215,
web.gc.cuny.edu/cepp, contin...@gc.cuny.edu
19:00 - Ward Pound Ridge - NY - clearsky starviewing
Westchester Amat Astro. Meadows Picnic Area. Free, cancelled
for clouds. in...@westchesterastronomers.org
www.westchesterastronomers.org,
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
19:00 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture
Pupin Hall, signs to levture room. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach,
212-854-3278, outreac...@astro.columbia.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 - Liberty - NY - clearsky starviewing
Catskills Astro Club. Walnut Mountain Pk. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.catskillsastro.org, ko...@verizon.net.
Thu 1 Jan
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 - Times Square - MH - Charmin holiday restrooms
1540 Broadway, 45-46 St. Public restrooms, lounge, souvenir
shop, photo stagem, kiddie playroom for yearend holiday
season. OPEN 00h-02h on Jan 1 AFTER ball drops. Free.
www.charmin.com
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 - South Street Seaport - MH - skating rink
Thru Feb 28. Pier 17. $5 adm. Skate rental & food svc.
www.thenewseaport.com/icerink,
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 - Citigroup Center - MH - cultural exhibit
Thru Jan 2. 53 St & Lexington Av. 'Station at Citigroup',
huge realistic model of Hudson Rvier railroads from
Weehaawken
NJ to Asirondacks. Animated props, day-night lighting,
contextual scenery, multiple gauge of trains. Free.
www.dunhamstudios.com.
all day - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - Ross Skating Rink
Thru 28. Ross Terrace. $8, excl Mus adm. Skate rental
& food svc. 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
18:00 - Montauk - LI - astronomy lecture
OCCASIONAL SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
Montauk Obsy, Montauk Publ Liby. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.montaukobservatory.com
19:00 - St Paul's Lutheran Ch - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
TOPIC: INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY
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: INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY
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
Fri 2 Jan
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
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 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing
PLUS OCCASIONAL EXTRA SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
Every Fri, Sat, Sun. Top of the Lawn. North side of Great
Lawn. Free, cancelled for clouds. tag...@yahoo.com,
www.nyskies.org
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 3 Jan
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
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
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
Sun 4 Jan
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
13:15 - Uniondale - LI - Amat Obsrs Soc meeting
Nassau Commty Coll, Bdg F, Room 123. Free. www.aosny.org,
sue...@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
19:30 - Boonton - NJ - Sheep Hill Astro Assn meeting
Boonton Town Hall. Free. www.uacnj.org/clubs/shaa.htm,
ajm...@att.net
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
Mon 5 Jan
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 6 Jan
18:00 - NY Academy of Sci - MH - science lecture
'Powering up cities for plug-in hybrids' on electric vehicle
power service. $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
18:30 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - science lecture
Linder Thtr. 'The how and why of climate change' $15 tkt.
www.amnh.org/programs, 212-769-5100
Wed 7 Jan
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
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 /
Thu 8 Jan
18:30 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - science lecture
Linder Thtr. 'What the fossils say and why it matters'.
$15 tkt. www.amnh.org/programs, 212-769-5100
17:30 - Sci Ind Biz Liby - MH - science lecture
'The New York World's Fairs: Queens county emerging to the
world'. Free. 212-592-7000, www.nypl.org/research/sibl
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
19:30 - Rifle Camp Park - NJ - Passaic Co Astro Assn meeting
Nature Center. Free. www.users.nac.net/gburke/PCAA,
973-523-0024
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 Jan 7
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 9 Jan
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
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 - Toms River - NJ - astronomy workshop
Ocean Co Coll, Student Ctr, Solar Lounge. 'How to usee a
telescope'. Free. www.ocean.edu/campus/planetarium,
732-255-0343,
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Jan 2
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 Jan 2
20:00 - Yonkers - NY - Westchester Amat Astro meeting
Hudson Rv Mus, Andrus Plm. Free.
www.westchesterastronomers.org,
in...@westchesterastronomers.org
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
Sat 10 Jan
20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Jan 3
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,
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Jan 3
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
Sun 11 Jan
18:00 - Rubin Museum of Art - MH - science show
150 W 17 St, 6/7 Av. 'Falling bodies: when Galileo met Prino
Levi'. $20 adm, incl musm tour. 212-620-5000, www.rmanyc.org
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
Mon 12 Jan
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
18:30 - NY Academy of Sci - MH - science lecture
'See what you've been missing: the science of vision'. $20
adm. www.nyas.org, 212-838-0230.
Tue 13 Jan
19:00 - 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 - 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 - Princeton - NJ - Amat Astro Assn of Princeton meeting
Princeton U, Peyton Hall. Free. www.princetonastronomy.org,
609-737-2575, drexp...@aol.com
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 14 Jan
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Jan 7
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 7
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
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - Jan 7
Thu 15 Jan
18:00 - NY Academy of Sci - MH - science lecture
'Powering up cities for plug-in hybrids' on electric vehicle
power service. $20 adm. www.nyas.org, 212-838-0230.
19:00 - St Paul's Lutheran Ch - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
TOPIC: HISTORY OF THE TELESCOPE
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: HISTORY OF THE TELESCOPE
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
19:00 - Upr Montclair - NJ - clersky starviewing
No Jersey Astro Gp. Montclair St Univ, Richardson Hall.
Free, cancelled for clouds. njastro.org, 973-655-7266,
mw...@pegasus.montclair.edu
18:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - astronomy cinema
'The journey to Palomar' life and work of George Hale. $15
adm. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 7
Fri 16 Jan
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Jan 2
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
19:30 - Boonton - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Sheep Hill Astro Assn obsy, Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.uacnj.org/clubs/shaa.htm, ajm...@att.net
20:00 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc lecture
Union Co Coll, Smith Audm. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asterism.org
20:00 - Stratford - CT - Boothe Meml Astro Soc mtg - see Jan 2
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
Sat 17 Jan
20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Jan 3
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Jan 3
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
Sun 18 Jan
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.
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
Tue 20 Jan
04:00 - Washington - DC - Inauguration of President Obama
Expected four million visitors converge on Washington to
witness or be with inauguration of President barak Obama. DO
NOT EVEN THINK OF DRIVING THERE BY CAR!! Take bus or train to
outlying station and ride into town by subway. Subway runs
rush hour service from 04:00 to 19:00 with offpeak fares.
20:00 - Westport - CT - Westport Astro Soc meeting
Rolnick Obsy. Free. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
Wed 21 Jan
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Jan 7
16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
Rutgers Univ, Phys Lectr Hall. Free. 732-445-3974,
www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium
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 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing
Wesleyan U, Van Vleck Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds.
860-685-3664, www.wesleyan.edu/astro/events
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 7
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - Jan 7
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing
Vassar College, Observatory. Free, cancelled for clouds.
physicsandastronomy.vassar.edu/observatory.html,
845-437-7340
Thu 22 Jan
19:00 - Upr Montclair - NJ - clersky starviewing - see Jan 15
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 7
21:00 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 8
Fri 23 Jan
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
15:30 - 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 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Jan 2
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Jan 2
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
Sat 24 Jan
13:30 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - science tour
Roosevelt rotunda. 'The age of the dinosaurs: giants of the
past' wlak thru exhibits realting to dinosaurs. Free with
musm
adm. www.amnh.org/programs, 212-769-5100
20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Jan 3
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Jan 3
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
Sun 25 Jan
11:00 - 207th St shops - NH - cultural tour
Electric Railroaders Assn. Main gate, 10 Av, 211/212 St. Walk
thru history and culture of subway repair shop and reefing
base. $20 tkt, adv regn reqd, Bring photo ID for facility
security. 201-684-9408, sidk...@opronline.net
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
Tue 27 Jan
11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture
Princeton Univ, Bloomberg Hall. Free.
www.sns.ias.edu/astro/astrocal.php,
wse...@astro.princeton.edu
18:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Celestial Highlights
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, pr...@asnh.org
19:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 13
Wed 28 Jan
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Jan 7
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
16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Jan 21
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 21
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 7
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - Jan 7
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - Jan 21
Thu 29 Jan
19:00 - Upr Montclair - NJ - clersky starviewing - see Jan 15
20:00 - Judson Meml Ch - MH - science show
55 Wasington Sq S, Thompson St. 'Perpetual motion: revolution
in 17th century science and music' on life of Galileo. $20
tkt, adv regn reqd. buckyballmusic.co,/galielosdaughters,
212- 333-5812, duag...@buckyballmusic.org
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 7
Fri 30 Jan
15:00 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
Rutgers Univ, Serin Lab, Rm 385E. Free. 732-445-3974,
www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium
15:30 - Palisades - NY - science lecture - see Jan 23
19:00 - Jones Bh St Pk - LI - astronomy lecture
Amat Obsrs Soc. Roosevelt Natr Ctr, Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. $3 fee, advd regn reqd. www.aosny.org,
sue...@optonline.net, 516-679-7254
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 - see Jan 2
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Jan 2
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
Sat 31 Jan
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,
ppar...@cs.com
20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Jan 3
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Jan 3
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Jan 2
Special news
----------
Astronomy centers should pay close attention to the ongoing
recession and the newer Madoff scandal. They can obtain a rare and
deep peek into how funding and grants work, which is one expertise
sometimes lacking among astronomers. It's not simply that the 'rich
agency' chooses to fund a project to catalog the whiskers on Harbor
seals rather than to monitor the weakened solar wind or Jupiter's
three red spots.
You probably already know of social and cultural groups that
suffered from the recession, like mentioned in PazMiniBits. That was
before the Madoff scheme collapsed in early December. In the New York
area, I personally know of about 30 such groups that are considering
to just fold tent for lack of funding. Some jumped the expected funds
by doing their work before receiving the check. Now, with no check in
hand, the groups can not cover their expenses! With no other revenue
stream, the solution could be to dissolve.
This is a serious situation. Astronomy centers do not normally
have their own investments. Their support and roof institutions, like
universities, governments, foundations, usually do. When these were
knocked down by the global fiscal crisis, funding supplied by returns
from the investments dried up. The effect cascades thruout the
profession.
At the instant there is little an astronomy center can do because
it usually has only a tiny indigenous income structure. It has to
react to the shortfall of funding in a prudent manner, which can
include cuts of service, staff, production.
Then in mid December the Bernie Madoff swindle broke, with an
other round of asset loss. As at mid December three colleges in New
York City saw a combined $150 million of assets evaporate! They put
their money with investors who in turn gave it to Madoff.
Expect no quick relief. Obama's hand on the Bible to take oath of
office will not work a magical cure. You must live, for some midterm
future, with uncertain or decimated funding for astronomy.
NYC Events recognizes your plight and will be gentle if you can
not line up your activities in time for each issue. We could see the
'XXX' section populated for several more months.
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.
The ability to improve visibility to our profession by enhanced
or
new astronomy programs could be impaired severely. Not only may there
not be the routine funds of the past, there could be a decline in
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
----------
There are an annoying bunch of events in the horrible 'XXX'
section at the top of the listing! The January NYC Events usually has
a couple of these. Among the plausible reasons for the excess in this
issue is the overburden from the global financial collapse. Plans
could be unsettled, tolled, postponed, shuffled during December. The
final version just wasn't ready in time for NYC Events. Please check
with the sponsors during january for latest news.
The String Cosmology conference, a favorite for NYSkiers, is put
off indefinitely. If it doesn't run in February 2009, it may be
skipped and the next meeting is in the spring. It usually is in
December, but schedule conflicts caused a postponement..
Columbia University's Friday lectures may shift rooms, not being
always on the top floor of Pupin Hall. Signs at entrance and in halls
direct you to the lecture room. I revised the entry to note this.
They, like many other programs for January, isn't ready yet for NYC
Events.
Rutgers University suggested we list both its astronomy seminar
and colloquium series. it seems that some astronomers were missing
one
series or the other, depending on which each NYC Events happened to
note.
York College Observatory website is temporarily closed to reflect
suspension of its operations for the 2009 academic year.
Cafe' Scientifique may have suffered a prolonged suspension of
operations. Its website is frozen at September 2008 with a note that
it returns in 'the fall'. I removed it from the listing.
Alley Pond Park seems to have suspended its astronomy lectures,
at
least for the fall and winter months. I removed it from the listing
until sessions resume.
IYA's US website is undergoing revision. During this period, late
December 2009, certain pages trigger a '404' error as their addresses
and links are changed.
Schommer Observatory, Rutgers Univ, scheduled its December
session
on the 11th, NYC Events, by a mistake in a verbal notice, it was
listed
for December 2nd. The entry is corrected in the archive edition.
Western Connecticut State University Planetarium in spring 2009
has a curtailed schedule because its director is on sabbatical.
Amateur Astronomers Association Inc, New York, moved its offices
to Downtown Youth Community Center, Lower Manhattan. They were at
1010
Park, Yorkville. At the nw office, it may open certain of its
meetings
to the public. If so, NYC Events will carry them.
Surveillance Camera Players suspended for several months their
walking tours of security cameras around NYC. for a while they had
tours in other towns. They may start up again with the massive
installation of hundreds of new cameras (and other sensors!) thruout
Lower Manhattan.
Event news
--------
NYSkies Astro Seminar on December 4 discussed the convention of
Moon-Jupiter-Venus convention of December 1st and sightings of the
ISS
toolbag. Most attendees got a good view of the planets in early
evening before clouds rolled in. A few mentioned other NYSkiers who
spotted the toolbag as a binocular target leading ISS by about 10
minutes. A holiday treat was a set of planet posters and booklets
from
Astronomy magazine.
The Seminar on the 18th was devoted to spacecraft orbits, using
the ISS toolbag and Mars Science laboratory as examples. The group
discussed Hohmann trajectories, atmosphere drag, solar heating of
air,
irregular gravity fields. Handouts featured Obama's review of NASA's
space projects.
Most activities in December were shifted to the front of the
month
to avoid the yearend holidays. SOme event operators moved their
dates,
others skipped sessions near end of December.
Probably every one went to Macy's to gawk at the time ball that
will ring in the new year in Times Square. They loved the way it
glittered and changed colors! Nest chance was from a distance, like
20
storied up, on New Year's Eve.
Night Sky Network held a teleconference on December 15 to kick of
its International Year of Astronomy activities. NYSkies attended,
with
about 20 other affiliates from Hawaii to Long Island. NYSkies invited
an other NSN affiliate in the City, Columbia University astronomy
outreach, to partner for IYA events.
Every one is waiting for the leapsecond. For newcomers to the
profession this event is a bit obtuse, but it was a fixture in
timekeeping for the last decades of the 20th century.
You may experience it by watching a clock governed by a
centralized source, like a computer or communications network.
Because
few clocks have a '60' to mark the leapsecond, the final second '59'
may hang, blink, flash, blank ou. This will happen at 18:59:59 EST
because the leapsecond is formally inserted at 0h UT.
Sky news
------
The Moon-Jupiter-Venus convention was widely observed, in spite
of
roving clouds and a bit of rain. Luckily it was clear in the
southwest
in dusk and early night. At start of dusk the three orbs hovered in
line with manhattan's avenues!
Jupiter and Fomalhaut descended into evening twilight rapidly. At
our Top of the Lawn sessions in Central park, visitors were still
freaked out about seeing the star whose planet could be seeing us!
Pollux enters the evening sky, 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.
Venus rose up over the skyline in gibbous phase, then shrank to
about half-moon by month end. This is a shorter apparition because of
her low altitude, behind haze and skyline, for several months until
November. She rounds toward inferior conjunction in February to leave
the evening sky.
Saturn comes into the owl hour sky with his rings almost
flattened
out. Altho the ring crossing isn't until September, they are awfully
thin until then. Actually, by funny perspective between Saturn,
earth,
Sun, the rings are in January the shallowest to us until the
crossing.
The rings open up a bit in spring and summer.
The Pleiades occultation on December 11 was clouded out. Normally
owl hour events are poorly observed, but for what ever reason, many
NYSkiers actually got up to look. They then turned over and went back
to sleep.
As at 12 December 2008 EVERY NYSkies OBSERVER'S HANDBOOK WAS
TAKEN! NYSkies generally does sell out, but usually by New Year's or
a
few days into January. Thank you to all of you readers for your
requests! See you in September for the 2010 edition!