NYC Events 2010 August
.
------------------------
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.
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.
All hours are Eastern Daylight Savings Time.
Perseid meteor shower
-------------------
This year's Perseid meteor shower enoys a moon-free sky. The Moon
is only a couple days old and sets in late evening. Its maximum
output
is expected for the owl hours thru dawn of August 13th in the
NYSkies
territory. While the shower is a dependible one with a good show of
shooting stars, it does vary in strength from year to year.
Understand that under skies crazed with luminous graffiti,
summer
humidty and haze, large sky obstruction the Perseids, like meteor
showers in general, present a poor show.
Ask at your local astronomy center for public Perseid watches.
These may be extended hours for a regular starviewng session or a
special one for the meteors. In the letter case, it may begin near
midnight, when Perseus starts getting into higher sky.
I got a new article about the Perseids on the NYSkies website at
'www.nyskies.org/articles/pazmino/perseids.htm'. It provides basic,
and some advanced, background for this shower.
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 - - - SEP - www.nyskies.org,
stephe...@nyc.rr.com,
nys...@nyskies.org
Illuscinations - - - - - 1-Sep 6
Pier 6 - - - - - - - - - (1, 7)-Oct 10
Secret Science Club - - - 10
Transit Museum - - - - - 21
CONNECTICUT - CT
*A S of Gtr Hartford - - - SEP - www.asgh.org, 860-872-9069,
ppar...@cs.com
Astro Soc of Greenwich - 4
*Astro Soc of New Haven - OCT - www.asnh.org, pr...@asnh.org
*Bethany Observatory - - - 13
Boothe Meml Astro Soc - - 6, 20
Bowman Observatory - - - 10, 24
CT Tripoli Rocketry Assn AUG - www.ctra-narconn.org, 860-583-1690
Litchfield Hills AAC - - lm...@hotmail.com,
www.fortunecity.com/victorian/twain/1206/id19.htm .
*Mattituck Astro Soc - - - mastransit.org, btb...@mastransit.org
*McCarthy Observatory - - 14
Stamford Observatory - - 6, 13, 20, 27
*Van Vleck Obsy (ASGH) - - 21
Van Vleck Obsy (WU) - - - SEP - www.wesleyan.edu/astro/eventsl
860-685-3664,
Western CT St Univ Obsy - SEP - www.wcsu.edu/starwatch,
203-837-8671, daw...@wcsu.edu
*Westport Astro Soc - - - 4, 5, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26
LONG ISLAND - LI
*Amateur Observers Soc - - SEP - www.aosny.org,
sue...@optonline.net
Astro Soc of Long Island 4, 11, 18, 25
Brookhaven Natinal Lab - www.bnl.gov, 631-344-8000
Custer Institute - - - - 7, 14, 21, 28
Hofstra Univ Obsy - - - - SEP - 516-463-2759,
www.hofstra.edu/Academics, obser...@hofstra.edu
Innovative Stone Co - - - 0
Montauk Observatory - - - 14, 28
National Space Soc-LISS - chapters.nss.org/ny/longisland,
trekk...@aol.com
*Robert Moses St Pk - - - www.aosny.org, sue...@optonline.net
SUNY Stony Brook - - - - www.ess.sunysb.edu/astro,
631-632-8100, slutt...@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
*Waterfront Park - - - - - 5, 12, 19
MANHATTAN - MH
92nd Street Y (Lex & 92) SEP - www.92y.org, 212-415-5500
Anat Astro Assn starvwg - 1
Amat Astro Assn lecture - OCT - richard_...@verison.net,
718-522-5014.
Amer Musm Natl Hist - - - 1-Nov
Broadway-Nassau station - 1-2010 Aug
Cafe' Science - - - - - - 9
Ctr for Space Sci Edu - - in...@nyccsse.org, www.nyccsse.org,
212-608-6164
Central Park - - - - - - 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29
City College Physics - - SEP - phy...@sci.ccny.cuny.edu,
212-650-6832, www.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/physics/calendar,
*Columbia Univ Astro - - - SEP - www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach,
212-854-3278, outreac...@astro.columbia.edu
*Columbia Univ Obsy - - - 13
Cornelia St Cafe' - - - - 1
Ctr for Atmosp Ocean Std SEP - caos.cims.nyu.edu,
sha...@cims.nyu.edu
Earth Institute - - - - - SEP - www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu
Goddard Inst for Spc Std SEP - www.giss.nasa.gov, 212-678-5540,
pfor...@giss.nasa.gov
Good Housekeeping lab - - 13
Governors Island visits - (1, 6, 7)-Oct 10
Governors Island tours - (4, 5)-Sep 2
Hayden Planetarium - - - 3, 4, 11, 18, 25, 31
History of Science Soc - SEP - gfh...@columbia.edu
Inittv for Theortcl Sci - SEP - web.gc.cuny.edu/its,
i...@web.gc.cuny.edu
Instt Strings, Cosmology SEP - www.iscap.columbia.edu
*Inwood Astronomy Project 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28
Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT subways 0
Madoff benches - - - - - 0
Madoff clawback - - - - - 0
Mars extreme proximity - 27
Mid Manhattan Library - - 3, 4
Mother Theresa centennial 26
National Space Soc-NYC - 6, 20
New York Univ Astro - - - SEP - physics,nyu.edu, dgs...@nyu.edu,
212-998-7706
NY Academy of Sciences - www.nyas.org, 212-838-0230.
*NYSkies Astronomy Seminar 6, 20
Physics Club of NY - - - SEP - jdep...@nyc.rr.com,
www.sconyc-ny.org
Race to End of Earth exhbt 1-Nov
Rockefeller University - SEP - 212-327-8000, www.rockefeller.edu,
pub...@rockefeller.edu
Sandy Hook ferry - - - - 1-Sep 4
SciCafe' - - - - - - - - 4
Science & the Arts - - - SEP - web.gc.cuny.edu/sciart,
212-817-8215
Serving Science - - - - - SEP -
web.cuny.edu/research/Serving-Science-CUNY-Science-Cafe.html
Shuttle/Intrepid campaign 1-indef
South Street Seaport - - 1-indef
Space Frontier Foundatn - 4, 11, 18, 25
Summer Streets promenade 7, 14, 21
*Top of the Lawn - - - - - 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29
Tutankhamun exhibit - - - 1-2011 Jan 2
Urban Park Rangers - - - 1
Water-on-the-go - - - - - 1-Sep 5
Weekend Walks - - - - - - 1-Sep 26
World Trade Center trial 0
NEW JERSEY - NJ
A A A of Princeton - - - SEP - www.princetonastronomy.org,
609-737-2575, drexp...@aol.com
A S of Toms Rv Area - - - SEP - www.astra-nj.org, 732-255-0343,
webm...@astra-nj.org
*Amat Astro Inc meeting - 6, 13, 20, 27
&Amat Astro Inc lecture - SEP - www.asterism.org
Buehler-Columbia AAA - - 6, 13
Dark Sky Observers - - - www.users.nac.net/gburke/club
Instt for Advd Study - - SEP - wse...@astro.princeton.edu,
www.sns.ias.edu/astro/astrocal.php
Liberty Science Center - 1-indef
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 Group SEP - njastro.org, 973-655-7266,
mw...@pegasus.montclair.edu
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 Astro - - SEP - www.sns.ias.edu/astro/astrocal.php,
wse...@astro.princeton.edu,
Princeton Univ Obsy - - - SEP - www.astro.princeton.edu/events.htm,
wse...@astro.princeton.edu
*Raritan Vy Commy Coll Plm www2.raritanval.edu/planetarium
Rutgers Univ Astro Collqm SEP - www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium,
732-445-3974
Rutgers Univ Astro Semnr SEP - www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium,
732-445-3974
*S*T*A*R - - - - - - - - - SEP -www.starastronomy.org,
s-wa...@comcast.net
Sandy Hook ferry - - - - 1-Sep 4
Schommer Observatory - - 12, 26
*Sheep Hill Astro Assn - - 1
*Sheep Hill Observatory - 20
Skyland Stargazers - - - skylandstargazers.tripod.com
*Utd Astro Clubs of NJ - - 7, 14, 21, 28
Washington Xing St Pk - - 6, 13, 20, 27
QUEENS - QN
Alley Pond Park - - - - - 14
Queens College Physics - SEP - www.physics.qc.edu/colloq.php,
718-997-3350
Roosevelt Is tram closing 1-2010 Sep
York College Observatory SEP - 718-262-2082,
pagl...@york.cuny.edu
york.cuny.edu/centers-institutes/observatory
REST OF WORLD
Conjunction starparty - - 20-21
Stellafane convention - - 6-8
Stellafane early entry - 5
Summer Star Party - - - - 6-15
STATEN ISLAND - SI
College of Staten Is - - SEP - 718-982-2818,
rob...@mail.csi.cuny.edu, supernova7.apsc.csi.cuny.edu
Great Kills Park - - - - 14
Staten Is Community TV - 2
THE BRONX - BX
UPSTATE - NY
Andrus Planetarium - - - 6, 13, 20, 27
Anthony Wayne Rec Area - 201-768-3298, www.rocklandastronomy.com,
webn...@rocklandastronomy.com,
*Catskills Astro Club - - 7, 14
Lamont-Doherty Obsy - - - SEP - 845-365-8634, www.ldeo.columbia.edu,
sno...@ldeo.columbia.edu,
Lwr Hudson Vy Challgr Ctr 15
Mid-Hudson Astro Assn - - 17
Orange Co Astro Assn - www.ocastronomy.org, in...@ocastronomy.org
*Rockland Astronomy Club - 201-768-3298, www.rocklandastronomy.com,
webn...@rocklandastronomy.com,
Swinging Bridge dam - - - 0
Vassar Coll Obsy - - - - AUG - 845-437-7340,
physicsandastronomy.vassar.edu/observatory.html
Ward Pound Ridge - - - - 7
Westchester Amat Astro - 6
Wilcox Park - - - - - - - 6
Monthly Calendar
--------------
Plain dates are in current month;
-, previous month; +, next month.
Moon phase: .NM., .FQ), (FM), (LQ.
Sunset is noted for each Saturday
--------------------------------
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sunset
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ------
1 2 (3. 4 5 6 7 20:05
8 .9. 10 11 12 13 14 19:55
15 .16) 17 18 19 20 21 19:45
22 (23) 24 25 26 27 28 19:35
29 30 (31. +1 +2 +3 +4 19:23
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
------------
all 00 Aug
all day - US Federal Court House - MH - WTC criminal trial
Indefinite duration. Masterminds of 2001 Sep 11 attack on WTC
go on trial. No final decision yet for holding the trial in
New York. Expect massive rearrangement of daily routine
within
1km radius of Foley Sq. Details in local news media.
all day - Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT - MH - subway reconstruction
Every Sat & Sun, 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
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 - whole City - MH - Madoff clawback
OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE BEFORE RESPONDING TO THIS EVENT
Indefinite duration. US Bankruptcy 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 - 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,
in...@innovativestone.com
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
Sun 1 Aug
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. Specimina replaced with fresh ones from time to time.
$27.50 adm. www.southstreetseaport.com
all day - whole City - MH - cultural tours & lectures
VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Urban Park Rangers. Tours of parks, landmarks, nabes, hoods.
Lectures 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_...@verizon.net, 718-522-5014
all day - Discovery Exhibition Hall - MH - 'Tutankhamun' exhibit
Thru 2011 Jan 2. 226 W 44 St, B'way/8 Av. Return of fabulous
exhibit from 1970! Artifacts from the Boy King of ancient
Egypt, New interpretations and findings! $27.50 adm.
www.discoverytsx.com, 866-987-9692
all day - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - science exhibit
Thru Nov. 'Race to the end of the Earth' Antarctic
eploration of Scott and Amundsen. $24 tkt, incl Musm adm.
www.amnh.org/programs, 212-769-5100
all day - Roosevelt Is - QN - Roosevelt Is tram closing
Thru 2010 Sep. entire line and stations closed for rebuild.
Alternate service by subway, street bus, shuttle bus.
all day - Coney Island - BK - Illuscinations show
Thru Sep 6. Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus. Surf Av &
W 21 St. Classical tent with circus acts and performances.
$10-$50 adm. www.ringling.com, 800-745-3000.
all day - E 35 St Pier - MH - ferry to Sandy Hook
Thru Sep 4. Also Pier 11 (Wall St). Two runs/day, 30 min to
Sandy Hook, free bus loop to attractions. $40 RT tkt.
www.seastreak.com, 800-262-8743
all day - Sandy Hook - NJ - ferry from Manhattan
Thru Sep 4. Ferry pier. Two runs/day, 30 min from Manhattan
free bus loop to ferry pier. $40 RT tkt. www.seastreak.com,
800-262-8743
all day - whole City - MH - Water-on-the-go sipping fountains
Thu Sun 5 Sep. NYC DEP sets up portable sipping fountains at
various places. They are connected to fire hydrants to
deliver
cold sparkling mountain rain water for refreshment. Free.
www.nyc.gov/html/dep
------------------------------------------
NY | location | dates
---+-------------------------------+------
BX | Bx Boro Hall, C'course/161 St | Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
---+-------------------------------+----------------------
BK | Boro Hall, Court St/Remsen St | Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
BK | Bklyn Bg, footpath entrance | Aug 11, 25
BK | Bklyn Bg Pk, Pier 6 | Aug 8, 22, Sep 5
---+-------------------------------+-----------------
MH | Gansevoort Mkt, 14 St/9 Av | Aug 1, 8, 15, 29
MH | Times Sq, Broadway/43 St | Aug 4, 11, 18, 25, Sep 1
MH | Madison Sq, Broadway/23 St | Aug 4, 18, Sep 1
MH | Union Sq, 14 St/Broadway | Aug 5, 12, 19, 26, Sep 2
MH | Mitchell Sq, Broadway/175 St | Aug 5, 19, 26, Sep 2
MH | Union Sq, 15 St/ Union Sq W | Aug 6, 13, 20, 27, 28,
| Sep 3, 4
MH | Summer Streets corridor | Aug 7, 14, 21
MH | Riverside Pk, 72 St/R'side Dr | Aug 22
-------------------------------------------
all day - whole City - MH - Weekend Walks cultural tours
Thru Sun 29 Sep. Various streets closed to motor traffic for
festivals, fairs, promenades. Hours and program vary with
location. www.nyc.gov/html/dot
----------------------------------------------------------
NY | location | dates
---+----------------------------------+------
BK | Sunset Pk, 5 Av/51-56 St | Aug 1
BK | Bushwick, K'bocker Av/Starr St | Aug 1
BK | Bklyn Hts, Montague St | Sep 12, 19, 26
BK | Pratt Instt, Myrtle Av/Hall St | Sep 5, 12, 19, 26
---+---------------------------------+------------------
BX | Univ Hts, Burnside Av/Jerome Av | Aug 7
---+---------------------------------+------
MH | Wash Hts, St Nicholas Av/182 St | Aug 15, 22, 29, Sep 12
---+---------------------------------+-----------------------
QN | Sunnyside, 46 St | Aug 7, 14, 21, 28
QN | Astoria Pk, Shore Bv/Ditmars Bv | Aug 1, 8, 15
---------------------------------------------------
all day - Broadway-Nassau station - MH - station closure
Thru 2010 Aug. Every Sat & Sun. Broadway-Nassau station,
IND 8th Av, closed for building Fulton St Hub. All blue
trains
skip it. Riders must do on-street transfer for other lines
connected to this station. www.mta.info
all day - Intrepid Museum - MH - Land the Shuttle in New York
Indefinite duration. Campaign to acquire one of the retired
Space Shuttles for the Intrepid Museum. Vehicle will be
showcased in pavilion next to Intrepid ship.
www.intrepidmuseum.org.
all day - Jersey City - NJ - astronomy cinema
Indefinite duration. Liberty Science Center. 'Hubble' IMAX
film. $22.75, incl musm adm. www.lsc.org, 201-200-1000
10:00 - Governors Island - MH - cultural visits
Every Sun. Thru Oct 10. Every Saturday. Boats leave Battery
Marine Bldg 1/2-hr from 10:00. Return from 10:30. 10-min
ferries from/to Pier 6, BK. Free. 212-825-3045,
www.nps.gov/gois
11:00 - Pier 6 - BK - ferry to Governors island
Every Sun. Thru Oct 10. Foot of Atlantic Av in Bklyn Bg
Pk. Ferries run every 10 minutes. Free. 212-825-3045,
www.nps.gov/gois.
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
PLUS OCCASIONAL EXTRA SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Top of the Lawn. North path of Great Lawn. Free, cancelled
for
clouds. tag...@yahoo.com, www.nyskies.org,
nys...@nyskies.org
Mon 2 Aug
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 Aug
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
18:30 - Mid Manhattan Liby - MH - cultural lecture
'Overlooked gems of Lower East Side history. Free.
www.nypl.org/calendar/index.cfm, Wed 4 Aug
10:00 - Governors Island - MH - cultural tour
Every Wed. Thru Sep 2. Every Wednesday. Boats leave Battery
Marine Bldg at 10:00 and 13:00. Walk thru history and culture
of former military base. Free. 212-825-3045, www.nps.gov/gois
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show
Live skyshow of rocket trip to the Moon. $17, incl musm adm.
212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs
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...@spacefrontier.org,
www.spacefrontier.org,
18:30 - Mid Manhattan Liby - MH - cultural lecture
'New York City in the Great Depression'. Free.
www.nypl.org/calendar/index.cfm,
19:00 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - SciCafe' show
Hall of Ocean Life. 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. rb...@juno.com, www.seocom.com/asg,
203-896-6786-x338
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, jasons...@gmail.com
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 5 Aug
10:00 - Governors Island - MH - cultural tour
Every Thu. Thru Sep 2. Every Wednesday. Boats leave Battery
Marine Bldg at 10:00 and 13:00. Walk thru history and culture
of former military base. Free. 212-825-3045, www.nps.gov/gois
15:00 - Springfield - VT - Stellafane early entry
Springfield Telscp Mkrs. Breezy Hill. Field & camping open
for
early arrivals. No other services on site. $10 + convtn
regn,
adv online regn only. webm...@stellafane.org,
www.stellafane.org,
18:30 - Museum of City of New York - MH - cultural lecture
1220 5 Av & 103 St. 'The future of the car in the City'. $12,
incl musm adm. www.mcny.org, 212-534-1672, in...@mcny.org
20:00 - Freeport - LI - astronomy lecture
Amat Obsrs Soc. Waterfront Park. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.aosny.org, sue...@optonline.net
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 4
Fri 6 Aug
09:00 - Springfield - VT - Stellafane convention
Thru Sun 8 Aug. Springfield Telscp Mkrs. Breezy Hill.
Talks, demos, swop tables, food svc, lodging, camping, dark
skies, tourism, prizes. $30 adv regn, $40 at gate, + extras.
webm...@stellafane.org, www.stellafane.org,
10:00 - Governors Island - MH - cultural visits
Every Fri. Thru Oct 10. Every Saturday. Boats leave Battery
Marine Bldg 1/2-hr from 10:00. Return from 10:30. 10-min
ferries from/to Pier 6, BK. Free. 212-825-3045,
www.nps.gov/gois
18:00 - Savoy - MA - Summer Star party
FEES NOT SET YET; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Thru Sun 15 Aug. Rockland Astro Club. Shady Pines Camp.
Talks,
demos, dark skies, meals, tourism, prizes, cmapg, lodgg, Near
Stellafane for day trip. Campsite fee $35.00, starparty regn
is extra. www.rocklandastronomy.com/SSP
18:30 - McBurney House - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
DISCUSSION: THE PERSEIDS AND OTHER METEOR SHOWERS
Combined meeting with Natl Space Soc-NYC Chap
125 W 14 St, 6/7 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
18:30 - McBurney House - MH - Natl Space Soc meeting
DISCUSSION: THE PERSEIDS AND OTHER METEOR SHOWERS
Combined meeting with NYSkies Astronomy Inc
125 W 14 St, 6/7 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show &
tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies
territory. Free. chapters.nss.org/ny/nyc,
astr...@webtv.net
18:30 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show
Hudson Rv Musm, Andrus Plm. Skyshow sponsored by FujiFilm USA
Inc. Free, different show 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 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
20:00 - Stratford - CT - Boothe Meml Astro Soc mtg
Boothe Meml Pk, Obsy. Free. www.bmas.org, in...@bmas.org
20:00 - Wash'n Xing S P - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Amat Astro Assn of Princeton. Simpson Obsy. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.princetonastronomy.org, 609-737-2575,
drexp...@aol.com
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing
Stamford Obsy. $3 adm, cancelled for clouds.
www.stamfordmuseum.org, cesc...@earthlink.net, 203-322-6537
20:00 - Pleasantville - NY - Westchester Amat Astro meeting
Pace Univ, Miller Hall, Free. www.westchesterastronomers.org,
waa-pr...@westchesterastronomers.org
20:30 - Wilcox Park - NY - clearsky starviewing
Mid Hudson Astro Assn. Free, cancelled for clouds
www.midhudsonastro.org. 845-485-5669, tra...@hvc.cc.com
21:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture
NOW MEETS ON FRIDAYS, NOT SATURDAY
Bergen Commty Coll, Buehler Obsy. Free.
www.bergen.edu/buehler, rops...@bergen.edu.
Sat 7 Aug
08:00 - Manh east side - MH - Summer Streets promenade
11Km from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Pk closed to motor
traffic 08h-13h. Human traffic (foot, bike, skate) only.
Lafayette St, 4 Av, Park Av S, Park Av, 72 St. Free.
www.nyc.gov/html/dot
10:00 - Governors Island - MH - cultural visits
Every Sat. Thru Oct 10. Every Saturday. Boats leave Battery
Marine Bldg 1/2-hr from 10:00. Return from 10:30. 10-min
ferries from/to Pier 6, BK. Free. 212-825-3045,
www.nps.gov/gois
11:00 - Pier 6 - BK - ferry to Governors island
Every Sat. Thru Oct 10. Foot of Atlantic Av in Bklyn Bg
Pk. Ferries run every 10 minutes. Free. 212-825-3045,
www.nps.gov/gois.
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 4
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg
UACNJ Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky starviewing. Free.
www.uacnj.org
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting
OCCASIONAL EXTRA EVENTS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Custer Instt. Indoor program, clearsky starviewing. $5-$15
adm, varies with program. www.custerobservatory.org,
Custe...@yahoo.com, 631-765-2626
20:00 - Liberty - NY - clearsky starviewing
Catskills Astro Club. Walnut Mountain Pk. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.catskillsastro.org, ko...@verizon.net.
21:00 - Ward Pound Ridge - NY - clearsky starviewing
Westchester Amat Astro. Meadows Picnic Area. Free, cancelled
for clouds. waa-pr...@westchesterastronomers.org
www.westchesterastronomers.org, Sun 8 Aug
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
Mon 9 Aug
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 Aug
20:00 - Bell House - BK - Secret Science Club meeting
149 7 St, 2/3 Av. Lecture and music on various science
topics. Free. secretscienceclub.blogspot.com, 718-638-4400,
21:00 - 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
Wed 11 Aug
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Aug 4
18:00 - Whiskey Park - MH - Space Frontier Foundtn mtg - see Aug
4
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 4
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 4
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Aug 4
Thu 12 Aug
19:30 - Morristown - NJ - Morris Museum Astro Soc meeting
Morris Museum. Free. 973-386-1848, tedbark...@att.net,
www.morrismuseum.org/static/education/astronomical.html
20:00 - Freeport - LI - astronomy lecture - see Aug 5
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 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 Aug
10:00 - Good Housekeeping Resrch Instt - MH - science tour
Hearst Tower, 57 St & 8 Av. Walk thru history and science of
product testing center of Good Housekeeping magazine. Free,
adv regn reqd. 212-649-5000, ghri...@hearst.com
18:30 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Aug 6
19:00 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy cinema
Pupin Hall, signs to lecture room. Indoor sci-fi film and,
discussion of its science content, clearsky starviewing.
Free.
212-854-3278, www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach,
outreac...@astro.columbia.edu
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - See Aug 6
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 6
20:00 - Wash'n Xing S P - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 6
20:00 - Bethany - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of New Haven. Yale Univ, Bethany Obsy. Free,
cancelled for clouds. www.asnh.org, pr...@asnh.org
21:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Aug 6
Sat 14 Aug
08:00 - Manh east side - MH - Summer Streets promenade - see Aug
7
19:00 - East Hampton - LI - astronomy lecture
Montauk Obsy, The Ross School. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.montaukobservatory.com
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 - Great Kills Pk - SI - clearsky starviewing
Natl Pk Svc. Enter at Hylan Bv, follow right-curve road for
~1,500m, turn right into small parking lot. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.nps.gov/gate, 718-987-6790
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Aug 7
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg - see Aug 7
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 4
20:00 - Liberty - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 7
20:00 - Alley Pond Park - QN - astronomy lecture
Alley Pond Enviro Ctr. Indoor lecture, clearsky starviewing.
$10 fee. www.alleypond.com, in...@alleypond.com, 718-229-4000
Sun 15 Aug
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 Aug 1
Tue 17 Aug
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
Wed 18 Aug
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Aug 4
18:00 - Whiskey Park - MH - Space Frontier Foundtn mtg - see Aug
4
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 4
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 4
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Aug 4
Thu 19 Aug
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 4
20:00 - Freeport - LI - astronomy lecture - see Aug 5
Fri 20 Aug
18:00 - Northfield - MA - Conjunction starparty
Thru Sat 21 Aug. Phil Harrington. Northfield Mt Envriro Ctr.
Dark skies, lodgg, campg, food svc, demos, prizes, sports,
tourism. $15 + extras. RHS3...@aol.com, 413-525-4697,
www.philharrington.net/astroconjunction
18:30 - McBurney House - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
PRESENTATION: SAILING BY SUNLIGHT
Combined meeting with Natl Space Soc-NYC Chap
125 W 14 St, 6/7 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
18:30 - McBurney House - MH - Natl Space Soc meeting
PRESENTATION: SAILING BY SUNLIGHT
Combined meeting with NYSkies Astronomy Inc
125 W 14 St, 6/7 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show &
tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies
territory. Free. chapters.nss.org/ny/nyc,
astr...@webtv.net
18:30 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Aug 6
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - See Aug 6
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
20:00 - Stratford - CT - Boothe Meml Astro Soc mtg - see Aug 6
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 6
20:00 - Wash'n Xing S P - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 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 Aug
08:00 - Manh east side - MH - Summer Streets promenade - see Aug
7
10:00 Transit Museum - BK - cultural tour
Court St & Boerum Pl. Ride vintage subway train and buses
thru
culture and history of the Rockaways. Ride train back to
Brooklyn or midtown Manhattan, or take extra-fare bus.
$45 tkt. 718-694-1867
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 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Aug 7
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg - see Aug 7
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 4
Sun 22 Aug
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
Tue 24 Aug
21:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Ayg 10
Wed 25 Aug
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Aug 4
18:00 - Whiskey Park - MH - Space Frontier Foundtn mtg - see Aug
4
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 4
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 4
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Aug 4
Thu 26 Aug
20:00 - whole City - MH - Mother Theresa centennial celebration
Place a shaded lamp in window, visible from street, for 100th
anniversary of Mother Theresa's birth. Plan for honorary
lighting on Empire State Bdg fell thru, causing public
agitation for alternate celebration. Free.
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 4
21:00 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 12
Fri 27 Aug
all day - whole City - Mars extreme proximity
The dead-horse hoax of impending extreme proximity of Mars is
making the rounds in news media. The astronomy flaws are
simple to point out, specially with Mars receding into
western
twilight. This story circulates year after year because the
DAY and YEAR are missed out of the text! This emphasizes why,
in your event announcements you BETTER include ALL parts of
the date and hour, Do not let the reader guess or assume any
omitted item. Tell him up front.
18:30 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Aug 6
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - See Aug 6
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 6
20:00 - Wash'n Xing S P - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 6
Sat 28 Aug
19:00 - East Hampton - LI - astronomy lecture - see Aug 14
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Aug 7
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg - see Aug 7
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 4
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 the extra ones from a
Sun 29 aug
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
Tue 31 Aug
18:30 - Hayden Planetarium - MH - Celestial Highlights show
Live skyshow of current evening sky. $15 adm.
212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs \f1 }
General news
----------
Buehler-Columbia A A A now meets on Fridays, not Saturdays. Note
that there are no meetings in late August due to college closing..
Alley Pond Enviro Center and Secret Science Club got out of the
XXX box with tiemly announced schedule for August.
A few sponsors apparently shifted gears in the summer. They
first
noted they are in recess until September, but they posted events for
August. Of course, they are listed here.
Science & the City, a colleague calendar of science activity,
seems to be in a slump. It changed management in late spring and
since
then it is only sparsely populated. it misses the NYSkies Seminars,
altho we gave it the new schedule at McBurney Hall. If your astronomy
related event, which you normally would see in Science & the City, is
missing from NYC Events, please tell us directly!
The newly hosted SpaceWalk is attracting good attention for its
coverage of astronomy topics of value for spacefaring fans. This
space
& astronomy column was previously carried only by the National Space
Society's NYC Chapter. It's still there but now is also in the
NYSkies
website at 'www.nyskies.org/sw.htm'.
Event news
--------
The NYSkies Astronomy Seminar on July 2 featured Dr Magnasco,
Rockefeller University, on 'Did Homer describe an eclipse in the
Odyssey?'. We heard a souped up version of his public talk in
February
at the CUNY Graduate Center and explored precession, proper motion,
tradition of history, languages, human sky wiseliness, Earth
deceleration, eclipse mechanics. At the postlecture supper several of
us debated the sick condition of American education from high school
thru graduate school.
The Seminar on July 16 examined Jupiter, Uranus and the Double
Pulsar. We studied charts, maps, tables for the two planets,
comparing
their polar inclination, motion of the moons, surface texture. We
then reviewed the nature of neutron stars and pulsars, binary stars,
gravitational bending of radiation, time and frequency shifts. We
compared the classical Einstein tests with the grossly exaggerated
ones in strong gravity fields.
At both Seminars and at other times we got good laughs at the new
route signs at our station, 14th St & 6th Av. Each of the many stars
and many of the interior halls have different signs! In some cases
they are either plain wrong or have duplicate routes. I took pictures
of many to show at the July 2nd Seminar.
Two important public lectures were heavily attended by local
astronomers and space fans. On July 21 was 'Solar sailing, part of
the
2nd International Symposium on Solar Sailing at NYC college of
Technology. We heard the latest -- and greatest! -- news about
Japan's
solar sail project IKAROS.
On July 26 was 'MESSENGER probe to Mercury', part of the
Meteoritical Society covention at American Museum of natural History.
The probe is finding that the planet is far more complex and active
than we imagined.
Summer Streets runs again this year on the same 11 kilometers of
street on Manhattan. They are closed to motor traffic so you can walk
around (while looking out for bicycles!) to inspect the City from
viewpoints not feasible normally. Please take the stroll, have lunch
on the median of Park Av South or on the wrap-around of Grand
Central.
Inspect the Park Av tunnel.
Satellite 'summer' streets, called Weekend Walks, are staged here
and there all over the City. If you're looking for a deep draft of
cold mountain rain, stop at one of the Water-on-the=go fountains
spotted around the City. Both programs began in July, but details
about them came too late for the July 2010 NYC Events. See their
schedules under August 1st.
Three conventions run in August. Stellafane on August 6-8, with
an
optional early-entry on the 5th; Summer Star Party on the 6-15; and
Conjunction on 20-21. The last is at one of my office's projects,
Northfield Mountain, and is one way it satisfy its requirement for
recreational enhancement on the site.
Please, I'm asked again an again to remind, 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.
The Seminar of August 6 features the Perseid and other meteors
and
that on the 20th covers using sunlight to propel spaceships. This is
a
review of the solar sailing convention mentioned above.
Sky news
------
July was about the lousiest months for skywatching. It may also
be
about the hottest July on record for the City with 15 or so days of
over 35C temperature. The sky was blanketed in haze and humidity,
with
only isolated nights of partially dry dark air.
Thunderstorms, of which there were several brang only temporary
relief, and in some instances they aggravated the discomfort by
adding
more moisture into the air. The storms were small in area, with
massive rain over some parts of town and none at all in others.
On July 10th parts of the City were treated to a most rare sweet-
smelling rain! It came down almost as a mist with minuscule drops
that
only dampened the ground without standing water. The smell was
reported as 'inside a forest', 'fresh grass or meadow', 'ozone'.
Only the brighter celestial targets were visible. The round of
appulses among Venus, Mars, Saturn was tough to see well. Mars was
frequently smothered in haze.
The Stonehenge sunset on July 9-11 was hit or miss with the
clouds
and haze. When the Sun ws seen, it was orange and snuffed out into
thicker haze above the horizon.
Yes, I by mistake left out the Stonehenge sunset in the July 2010
NYC Events. It was duly discussed at the Seminars during June and was
noted to all inquiries about it.
The Perseids peak on August 12-13 this year. If the sky is as
swamped with summer muck as in July, we'll see very few shooting
stars. Try to remove to higher elevation inland for a better chance
at
drier air.
In late July a wood nickel turned up. That's right, the stupid
Mars-is-closest-ever story! It surfaced on/about July 20 as letters
and clippings from well-meaning and curious friends. You'll have to
put their anxieties to rest once again, as noted under August 27th.
Jupiter is in the late night sky in August, with Uranus a little
north of him. Belts on the southern half are weaker than usual than
those on the north.