NYSkies
Astronomy Inc |
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NYC EVENTS FOR APRIL 2018
------------------------
John Pazmino
NYSkies Astronomy Inc
nyskies@nyskies.org
www.nyskies.org
The following astronomy activities in the commuting ring enclosing
New York City are operated by various organizations. A few cultural
items of special importance to City astronomers are also included.
Altho NYC Events confirms the listed items, they are subject to
change by their sponsors. Check with their contacts. Let the sponsor
know that you learned of its event thru NYC Events.
Frequently asked questions and explanation of NYC Events is at
'www.nyskies.org/nyc-faq.htm'.
You may ask for previous NYC Events thru 'nyskies@nyskies.org'
because only the current issue is in the website. It is replaced by
next month's issue.
For events which missed NYC Events, check the NYSkies Yahoogroup
forum. Join NYSkies by visiting 'www.nyskies.org/yahoo.htm' and
picking either the email or website option.
All hours are Eastern Dayulight Savings Time (UT - 4h) .
General notes
----------- /
'whole City' means the event has no specific or dedicated place.
It may be enjoyed from the whole 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. Facilities may have limited hours per
day or days per week. Check with the event contacts.
'adv regn reqd',for 'advance registration required/requested'
means that the event requires or requests signing up before the event.
You must have your ticket in hand at the gate. There could be a
deadline some days before the event, after which no more signups are
accepted. Check with the event contact for specifics.
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
noptional extra fees to consider.
Current Month 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 19:27
(8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 19:34
.15. 16 17 18 19 20 21 19:42
.22) 23 24 25 26 27 28 19:49
(29) 30 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 19:55
------------------------------------------------
Index of Events
-------------
* = NASA-JPL Night Sky Network affiliate
Date = entry in 'list of events' section
'0' = entry in 'ongoing and continuing events' section
'S/O',= entry in 'skipped, Sep/Oct resumption' section
'M/A' = entry in 'skipped, Mar/Apr resumption' secrion // '???' =
entry in 'skipped, uncertain resumption' seciton
------- -----------------------------------------------
BROOKLYN - BK
*Floyd Bennett Field - - - 20
MetroTech - - - - - - - - 19
Secret Science Club - - - 0
CONNECTICUT - CT
*A S of Gtr Hartford - - 18
Astro Soc of Greenwich - 18
*Astro Soc of New Haven - 24
Bowman Observatory - - - 4, 18
*Litchfield Hills AAC mtg 13
*Litchfield Hills starvg - 20
*McCarthy Observatory - - 14
New Pond Farm - - - - - - 21
Stamford Observatory - - 6, 13, 20, 27
*Van Vleck Obsy (ASGH) - - 21
Van Vleck Obsy (WU) - - - 4, 11, 18, 25
Western CT St Univ Obsy - 7, 21
*Westport Astro Soc mtg - 17
*Westport Astro Soc starvg 4, 11, 18, 25
-------------------------
Boothe Meml Astro Soc - 203-377-9933,
www.facebook.com/Boothe-Memorial-Astronomical-Society
LONG ISLAND - LI
*Amateur Observers Soc - - 8
Amer Instt Aero & Astro - 5
Astro Soc of Long Island 4, 11, 18, 25
Brookhaven National Lab - ???
Custer Institute - - - - 7, 14, 21, 28
Hofstra Univ Obsy - - - - ???
Montauk Observatory - - - ???
SUNY Stony Brook - - - 6
*Susan Rose Observatory - 7, 14, 21, 28
MANHATTAN - MH
*Amat Astro Assn starvwg - 0
*Amat Astro Assn lecture - 6
Amer Musm Natl Hist - - 4
Ctr for Atmosp Ocean Sci M/A
Ctr for Science & Society ???
Central Pk (Great Lawn) - 6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,27,28,29
*Columbia Univ Obsy - - - 6, 20
Cornelia Street Cafe' - - 1
Earth Day fair - - - - - 15
Earth Institute - - - - - ???
Globe at Night - - - - - 6-15
Good Housekeeping lab - 13
Gullicar's Gate - - - - - 0
Instt Stud Ancnt World - 3, 11, 12, 17, 20, 24
*Inwood Astronomy Project 7, 14, 21, 28
'Jews in Space' exhibit - - 1-early May 2018
Jupiter Joe Sidewk Astro 0
Natl Musm of Mathematics 4
NY Academy of Sciences - ???
NYC-H2O - - - - - - - - - 0
New York Univ Astro - - - 3, 10, 17, 24
*NYSkies Astronomy Seminar 6, 20
SciCafe' - - - - - - - - 4
Science & the Arts - - - ???
Simons Foundation - - - - 11
Top of the Lawn - - - - - 6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,27,28,29
TriState computer fair - 0
Urban Park Rangers - - - 0
----------------------------
Ctr for Space Sci Edu - - info@nyccsse.org, www.nyccsse.org,
212-608-6164 n
METRO-NORTH - NY
Lamont-Doherty Obsy - - - 6, 13, 20, 27
Northedt Astronomy Forum 21-22
Ramapo Challenger Ctr - - 15
Vassar Coll Obsy - - - - 4, 11, 18, 25
Ward Pound Ridge - - - - 14
Westchester Amat Astro - 6
NEW JERSEY - NJ
A A A of Princeton - - - 10
A S of Toms Rv Area - - - ???
*Amat Astro Inc meeting - 6, 13, 27
*Amat Astro Inc lecture - 20
Joint Base centennial - 0
Morris Musm Astro Soc - - 12
New Jersey Astro Assn - - 28
No Jersey Astro Gp mtg - 11
No Jersey Astro Gp starvg 5, 12, 19, 2
Peyton Observarory - - - 11
Plasma Physics Lab - - - 6, 20
Rutgers Univ Astro Collqm 4, 11, 18, 25
Rutgers Univ Astro Semnr 12, 26
*S*T*A*R - - - - - - - - - 5
Schommer Observatory - - 12, 19, 26
*Sheep Hill Astro Assn - - 6
*Sheep Hill Observatory - 20
*Utd Astro Clubs of NJ - - 28
Washington Xing St Pk - - 6, 13, 20, 27
---------------------------
Dark Sky Observers - - - www.users.nac.net/gburke/club
McDowell Obsy -mec.rst2.edu, 201-460-8300
Montclair Telescope Club 973-948-5284, bischoff@garden.net,
users.erols.com/njastro/orgs/mtc.hrm
Passaic Co Astro Assn www.users.nac.net/gburke/PCAA, 973-523-0024
*Raritan Vy Co Coll Plm - www2.raritanval.edu/planetarium
Skyland Stargazers - - - skylandstargazers.tripod.com
QUEENS - QN
Alley Pond Park - - - - - 21
York College Observatory 11
REST OF WORLD
STATEN ISLAND - SI
Coll of Staten Is Obsy - ???
Great Kills Park - - - - 21
Staten Is Community TV - 6, 13, 20, 27
THE BRONX - BX
============================= Ongoing and continuing events
--------------------------
all day - whole state - NJ - Joint Base centennial shows
VARIOUS LOCATIOONS ND TIMES; INQUITR AT CONTACT
Thru 2018 Oct 31. 100th annivesaty if Fort Dix and later
worls of McGuire AFN and Lakehurst NAS. These are only
military facilityies jointly run by all three major branches,
army, air force, navy. Events staged at or near bases. Most
ree, some pay. www.nj.gov/state/historical/index.html,
609-292-6062, Feedback@sos.nj.gov
all day - whole City - MH - cultural tour
VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND TIMES; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
NYC-H2O. Walk, bike, ride thru history and culture of NYC
muwater system facilities and natural waterways in and near
the City. Events are pay orfree, adn regn reqd. Bike tours
need own bike. www.nych2o.org,
matt@nych2o.org
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.
president@aaa.org, 718-522-5014, www.aaa.org
all day - whole City - MH - clearsky starviewing
VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Jupiter Joe's Sidewalk Astronomy. Sessions convene in parks
usually at dusk. Occasional daytime sunviewing. Free. `
Cancelled for clouds. www.jupiterjoesastronomy.org,
jupiyerjoesastronomy@gmail.com
all day - Gullivaer's Gate - MH - cultural exhibit
indef duration. 216 W 44 St, 7/8 Av. Opened in mid April 2017
for preview. Miniature models of landmarks and important
structures from around the world. Rooms arranged by quarter of
world and for New York City. $36, timed ticket, adv regn reqd.
Optional cost for stereopint of visitor into figurine placed
at desired item in exhibit. www.gulliversgate.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
10:00 - whole City - MH - Tri-State Computer Fair
VARIOUS LOCATIONS, GENERALLY ON SUNDAYS
Source of computer systems, software, components, accessories.
$7. www.tri-statefairs.com, 718-227-5586
20:00 - Bell House - BK - Secret Science Club meeting
OCCASIONAL SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
149 7 St, 2/3 Av. Lecture and music on various science
topics. Free. secretscienceclub.blogspot.com, 718-638-4400,
List of events
---------
Sun 1 Apr
all day - VIVO Institt - MH - 'Jews in Space' exhibit
Thru early May 2018. Within Ctr for Jewsih Hist buldg, 15
16 St, 5/6 Av. Opened Feb 26.Art pirvrs, photos, boolls &
maps, artifacts from hewish astronautsd astronomers from 17th
century to today. Free, have GI photo ID for campus security.
ww.vivo.org, 212-246-6080, vivomail@vivo.cjh.org.
18:00 - Cornelia St Cafe' - MH - Entertaining Science show
29 Cornelia St & W 4 St, Play & music on various
science themes. $10 + one drink min.
www.corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319
Tue 3 Apr
14:00 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture
726 Broadway, Rm 940. Various topics in astrophys and
relativity. Free. Have GI photo ID for campus security.
physics.nyu.edu/evengts.htm
18:00 - Inst Stud Anc World - MH - astronomy lecture
EVENT MAY BE FILLED; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
15 E 84 St, 5/Madison Av. 'Babylonian astroonomy 2/4'.
Free, adv regn reqd. isaw..nyu.edu isaw@nyu.edu,
212-992-7842
Wed 4 Apr
15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture
Ctr for Atmosp & Ocean Studies. Weaver Hall, 251 Mercer
St. Various topics in geophysics and earth science. Free.
caos.cims.nyu.edu, shafer@cims.nyu.edu
16:00 - Natl Musm of Mathematics - MH - science show
'Mathematical Encounters'. Free, adv regn reqd.
212-542-0566, www.momath.org, info@momath.org
16:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
Colloquium series. Rutgers Univ, Busch Campus, Astro & Phys
Lectr Hall. Free. www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium,
732-445-3974
18:00 - Inst Stud Anc World - MH - astronomy lecture
EVENT MAY BE FILLED; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
15 E 84 St, 5/Madison Av. 'Babylonian astroonomy 3/4'.
Free, adv regn reqd. isaw..nyu.edu isaw@nyu.edu,
212-992-7842
19:00 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - SciCafe' show
Hall of Ocean Life or hall of planet Earth. Music, drinks,
chat with Museum scientists. Free, be 21 or be gone. GI photo
ID reqd. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs
20:00 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting
Vanderbilt Plm. Free. asliastronomy@yahoo.com,
www.asliclub.org
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing
Wesleyan U, Van Vleck Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds.
860-685-3664, www.wesleyan.edu/astro/events
20:30 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of Greenwich. Curtis Elem Schl, Bowman Obsy. Free.
Cancelled for clouds. rickbria@optonline.net, 203-415-6762. ,
astrogreenwich.org
20:30 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing
Westport Astro Soc. Rolnick Obsy. Free. Cancelled for
clouds. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing
Vassar College, Observatory. Free. Cancelled for clouds.
physicsandastronomy.vassar.edu/observatory.html,
845-437-7340
Thu 5 Apr
18:00 - Uniondale - LI - Amer Instt Aero & Astro lecture
Hofstra Univ. Breslin Hall. Various topics in aeronautics and
astronautics. 'Nars sample return missiOn'. Free, optional $5
pizza-soda. 516-458-8593, davidparis@twc.com
20:00 - Upper Montclair - NJ - clearsky starviewing
No Jersey Astro Gp. Montclair St Univ, Richardson Hall.
Free, cancelled for clouds. njastro.org, 973-655-7266,
20:00 - Lincroft - NJ - S*T*A*R meeting
Brookdale Commty Coll, Mommouth Museum. Free.
www.starastronomy.org, s-walters@comcast.net
Fri 6 Apr
10:00 - Princeton - NJ - science tour
Plasma Physics Lab. Walk thru history and culture of fproject
to capture energy from controled hydrogen fusion. Free, adv
regn reqd. Photo ID required for campus security.
www.pppl.gov/events
11:00 - Palisades - NY - science lecture
Lamont-Doherty Earth Obsy, Comer Bldg. Various topics in
geophysics and earth science. Free, 845-365-8634,
www.ldeo.columbia.edu, suzana@ldeo.columbia.edu,
18:15 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - Amat Astro Assn lecture
Kaufmann Theater. Free, no musm adm fee. 718-522-5014,
president@aaa.org, www.aaa.org
18:30 - McBurney House - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
DISCUSSION: watching earth satellites
125 W 14 St, 6/7 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show
& tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies
territory. Free. nyskies@nyskies.org, www.nyskies.org
19:00
19:30 - Staten Is Community TV - SI - science show
100 Cable Way, Mariners Hr SI. 'Geology forum' Live audience,
seating at 19:30, on air at 20:00. Free. www.sictv.org,
718-727-1414
19:30 - Pleasantville - NY - Westchester Amat Astro meeting
Pace Univ, Miller Hall, Free. www.westchesterastronomers.org,
waa-president@westchesterastronomers.org
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting
Union Co Coll, Sperry Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asterism.org, hfjacinto6@gmail.com
19:30 - Stony Brook - LI - astronomy lecture
SUNY Stony Brook, Earth & Spc Sci Hall. Indoor lecture,
clearsky starviewing. Free. www.ess.sunysb.edu/astro,
631-632-8100, slutterbie@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
19:30 - Boonton - NJ - Sheep Hill Astro Assn meeting
Boonton Senior Ctr. Free. www.sheephillastro.org,
contacts@sheephillastro.org, wwestura@optonline.net
20;00 - Wash'n X'ing - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Amat Astro Assn of Princeton. Simpson Obsy. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.princetonastronomy.org, 609-737-2575,
info@princetonastronomy.org
20:0:0- Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture
Pupin Hall, signs to lecture room. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. outreach-admin@astro.columbia.edu,
www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach, 212-854-3278
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing
PLUS OCCASIONAL EXTRA SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Top of the Lawn. North path of Great Lawn. Free. Cancelled for
clouds. tags_p@yahoo.com, www.nyskies.org, nyskies@nyskies.org
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture
Stamford Obsy. $3. Indoor lecture, clearsky starviewing.
203-322-6537, www.stamfordmuseum.org, cescovil@earthlink.net
21:00 - whole CIty - MH - Globe at Night exercise
Thru Apr 15
NYSkies runs its own GLOBE at Night exercise in
December while Orion is in sky at nightfall. Same method and
procedure as for prior years for documenting sky transparency
over City. Details at www.nyskies.org/gannyc.htm
Sat 7 Apr
19:30 - Danbury - CT - astronomy lecture
Westn Conn St Uv, Obsy/Plm. Indoor planetarium show,
clearsky starviewing. Free. www.wcsu.edu/starwatch,
203-837-8671, dawsond@wcsu.edu
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing
Amat Obsrs Soc. capus of Custer Institt. Sessions concurrent
with Custer's own events. Free, cancelled for clouds.
www.aosny.org, suerose@optonline.net
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting
OCCASIONAL EXTRA EVENTS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Custer Instt. Indoor program, clearsky starviewing. $5-$15.
Varies with program. www.custerobservatory.org,
president@custerobservatory.org, 631-765-2626
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH cleasky starviewing
OCCASIONAL EXTRA SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Inwood Astronomy Project. Meet at park entrance, Seaman Av
& Isham St. Free. Cancelled for clouds. 917-529-2359
www.inwoodastronomy.org, asonskendall@gmail.com
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 6
Sun 8 Apr
13:15 - Uniondale - LI - Amat Obsrs Soc meeting.
Hofstra Univ, Berliner Hall. Free. www.aosny.org,
suerose@optonline.net
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 6
Tue 10 Apr
14:00 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Apr 3
19:30 - Princeton - NJ - Amat Astro Assn of Princeton meeting
Princeton U, Peyton Hall. Free. www.princetonastronomy.org,
609-737-2575, info@princetonastronomy.org
Wed 11 Apr
16:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture- see Apr 4
17:00 - Simons Foundation - MH - scinece lecture
160 5 Av & 21 St. 'How and why Mercury is different from its
sibling rocky planets?'. Free, adv regn reqd. 646-654-0066,
ww.simonsfoundation.org
18:00 - Inst Stud Anc World - MH - astronomy lecture
EVENT MAY BE FILLED; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
15 E 84 St, 5/Madison Av. 'Babylonian astroonomy 4/4'.
Free, adv regn reqd. isaw..nyu.edu isaw@nyu.edu,
212-992-7842
20:00 - Upper Montclair - NJ - No Jersey Astro Gp meeting
Montclair St Univ, Richardson Hall, Room 232. Free.
njastro.org, 973-655-7266
20:00 - York College - QN - astronomy lecture .
Core Academic Bdg, Rm AC-2E01. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free, adv regn reqd. 718-262-2082,
www.york.cuny.edu/centers-institutes/observatory,
tpaglione@york.cuny.edu
20:00 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Apr 4
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 4
20:30 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 4
20:30 - Princeton - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Princeton Univ, Peyton Hall. Free. Cancelled for clouds
www.astro.princeton.edu/observatory/publicobserving.php,//,
jeg@astro.princeton.edu, lee@astro.princeton.edu
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 4
Thu 12 Apr
13:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
Seminar series. Rutgers Univ, Serin 401. Free. 732-445-3974,
www.physics.rutgers.edu/ast/seminar
18:00 - Inst Stud Anc World - MH - cultural lecture
15 E 84 St, 5/Madison Av. Various topics on history and
culture of ancient civilizations.. Free, adv regn reqd.
isaw..nyu.edu isaw@nyu.edu, 212-992-7842
19:30 - Morristown - NJ - Morris Museum Astro Soc meeting
Morris Museum. Free. 973-386-1848, 973-386-1848,,
www.mmastrosociety.org, info@morrismusem.org,
ckkrish@gmail.com
20:00 - Upper Montclair - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 5
20:30 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Rutgers Univ, Schommer Obsy. Free. Cancelled for clouds.
732-205-0020, www.physics.rutgers.edu/ast/ast-serin.html
pryor@physics.rutgers.edu
Fri 13 Apr
10:00 - Good Housekeeping Resrch Instt - MH - science tour
Also 11:30. 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,
ghritours@hearst.com
11:00 - Palisades - NY - science lecture - see Apr 6
19:30 - Torrington - CT - Litchfield Hills Amat Astro Club mtg
Central Congregational Church. Free.lhaacsec@gmail.com
lhastro.org
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Apr 6
19:30 - Staten Is Community TV - SI - science show - see Apr 6
20;00 - Wash'n X'ing - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 6
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture - see apr 6
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 6
Sat 14 Apr
20:00 - New Milford - CT - astronomy lecture
McCarthy Obsy, New Miford HS. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.mccarthyobservatory.org, 860-354-1595,
contact@mccarthyobservatory.org
20:00 - Ward Pound Ridge - NY - clearsky starviewing
Westchester Amat Astro. Meadows Picnic Area. Free. Cancelled
for clouds. waa-president@westchesterastronomers.org
www.westchesterastronomers.org,
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 7
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 6
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting - see Apr 7
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH cleasky starviewing see Apr 7
Sun 15 Apr
12:00 - Union Square - MH - Earth Day exhibition
VISIT THE NYSkirs BOOTH
North flank of park. Exhibit booths in tent city, music,
performnaces, demos, crafts, takeaways, food service.
Fre. www.earthdayinitiative.org
14:00 - Airmont - NY - science show
Ramapo Challenger Ctr, 225 Rt 29. Multimedia
imulation of space missions. $20. wwwlhvcc.com,
director@lhvcc.com, 845-257-3416.
15:30 - Greenwich - CT - Astro Soc of Greenwich meeting
Greenwich Public Library. Free with musm adm.
rickbria@optonline.net, 203-415-6762, astrogreenwich.org
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 6
Tue 17 Apr
14:00 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Apr 3
18:00 - Inst Stud Anc World - MH - cultural lecture
15 E 84 St, 5/Madison Av. Various topics on history and
culture of ancient civilizations.. Free, adv regn reqd.
isaw..nyu.edu isaw@nyu.edu, 212-992-7842
20:00 - Westport - CT - Westport Astro Soc meeting
Rolnick Obsy. Free. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
Wed 18 Apr
16:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture- see Apr 4
19:30 - New Brittain - CT - Astro Soc of Gtr Hartford meeting
Central CT St Univ, Copernicus Plm. Free. www.asgh.org,
860-872-9069, pparkerrs@cs.com
20:00 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Apr 4
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 4
20:30 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 4
20:30 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 4
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 4
Thu 19 Apr 17:30 - MetroTech - BK - science symposium
NYU, Tandon School Of Engg, #1 MetroTech, 2nd fl. 3 NYU-alumni
astronauts discuss 'The future of space exploration'. $10, adv
regn
reqd. alumni.nyc@nyu.edu.
20:00 - Upper Montclair - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 5
20:30 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 12
Fri 20 Apr
10:00 - Princeton - NJ - science tour - see Apr 6
11:00 - Palisades - NY - science lecture - see Apr 6
18:30 - McBurney House - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar /
DISCUSSION: MARS, VENUS, MILKY WAY, MANHATTANHENGE
125 W 14 St, 6/7 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show
& tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies
territory. Free. nyskies@nyskies.org, www.nyskies.org
19:30 - Staten Is Community TV - SI - science show - see Apr 6
20:00 - Floyd Bennett Field - BK - clearsky starviewing
Community Garden. NYSKies & Natl Park Svc. Free. Cancelled
for clouds. www.nyskies.org, stephenlieber@nyc.rr.com,
nyskies@nyskies.org
20:00 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc lecture
Union Co Coll, Smith Audm. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asterism.org
20:30 - Boonton - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Sheep Hill Astro Assn Obsy, Free. Cancelled for
clouds. sheephillastro.otg, contacts@sheephillastro.org,
wwestura@optonline.net
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture - see apr 6
20:0:0- Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Apr 6
20;00 - Wash'n X'ing - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 6
20:30 - Litchfield - CT - Litchfield Hills A A C lecture
White Meml Consrvn Ctr. Free. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. lhaac.shutterfly.com, lhaacsec@gmail.com
lhastro.org
Sat 21 apr
09:00 - Suffern - NY - Northeast Astronomy Forum
VISIT THE NYSkies BOOTH
Thru Sun 22 Apr. Rockland Astro Club. SUNY Rockland Coll.
Vendors, dealers, exhibits, demos, talks, food service. $26
1-day, $45 2-day. www.rocklandastronomy.com
19:30 - Alley Pond Park - QN - clearsky starviewing
Alley Pond Enviro Ctr. $14 at door. Cancelled for clouds.
www.alleypond.org, info@alleypond.org, 718-229-4000
19:30 - Danbury - CT - astronomy lecture - see Apr 7
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,
pparkers@cs.com
20:00 - Great Kills Pk - SI - clearsky starviewing
Natl Pk Svc. Enter at Hylan Bv to playground; Free. Cancelled
for clouds. www.nps.gov/gate, 718-987-6790 n
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 7
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting - see Apr 7
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH cleasky starviewing see Apr 7
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 6
20:30 - West Reading - CT - clearsky starviewingh
New Pond Farm, obseratory. $10, adv regn reqd. , cancelled for
clouds. www.newpondfarm.org, 203-938-2117,
info@newpondfarm.org
Sun 22 Apr
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 6
Tue 24 Apr
14:00 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Apr 3
18:00 - Inst Stud Anc World - MH - cultural lecture
15 E 84 St, 5/Madison Av. Various topics on history and
culture of ancient civilizations.. Free, adv regn reqd.
isaw..nyu.edu isaw@nyu.edu, 212-992-7842
19:00 - New Haven - CT - Astro Soc of New Haven meeting
Yale Univ, Leitner Family Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asnh.org, prez@asnh.org
Wed 25 Apr
16:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture- see Apr 4
20:00 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Apr 4
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 4
20:30 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 4
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 4
Thu 26 Apr
13:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Apr 12
Ctr for Atmosp & Ocean Studies. Weaver Hall, 251 Mercer
St. Various topics in geophysics and earth science. Free.
caos.cims.nyu.edu, shafer@cims.nyu.edu
20:00 - Upper Montclair - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 5
20:30 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 12
Fri 27 Apr
11:00 - Palisades - NY - science lecture - see Apr 6
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Apr 6
19:30 - Staten Is Community TV - SI - science show - see Apr 6
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture - see apr 6
20;00 - Wash'n X'ing - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 6
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 6
Sat 28 Apr
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 7
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 6
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting - see Apr 7
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH cleasky starviewing see Apr 7
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg
UACNJ Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky starviewing. Free.
www.uacnj.org
20:30 - Voorhees St Pk - NJ - NJ Astro Assn meeting
NJAA-HQ, Robinson Obsy. Free. www.njaa.org, 908-368-8600
Sun 29 Apr
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Apr 6
Events Skipped This Month
-----------------------
EVENT MAY RESUME AT DIFFERENT PLACE OR HOUR; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
[???] UNCERTAIN RESUMPTION OF ACTIVITY
--------------------------------------
15:00 - Upton - LI - science lecture
Brookhaven Natl Lab, Bldg 510. 'A unified program of argon
dark matter searches'. Free, have GI photo ID for campus
security. 631-344-2651, www.bnl.gov/physics/evnts
18:00 -CUNY Graduate Center - MH - Ctr for Sci & Soc lecture
385 Fifth Av. 'Early modernb science intertwine An
Iberoamerican perspective'.. Free, adv regn reqd, Free,
limited seating. 212-854-7211,
scienceandsociety.columbia.edu
18:00 - Uniondale - LI - clearsky starviewing
Hofstra University,Berliner Bdg, Rm 117. Free,
adv regn reqd. Cancelled for clouds. 516-463-2759,
www.hofstra.edu/Academics, observatory@hofstra.edu
18:00 - Earth Institute - MH - science lecture
Columbnia Univ, Lerner Hall, Arledge Audm.. 'Sea level rise:
Causes, impacts and options for solutions'. Free, adv regn
reqd. ei.columbia.edu
18:30 - CUNY Graduate Center - MH - Science and the Arts show
'TNo, No, Nobel' on women who missedthe Nobel Prize for
their work. Free. 212-817-7521, bschwartz@gc.cuny.edu,
scienceandarts@scienceandarts.pmailus.com,
19:00 Montauk - LI - astronomy lecture
Montauk Obsy, Montauk Library. Indoor talk,
clearsky starviewing. Free. www.montaukobservatory.com
19:00 - Toms River - NJ - Astro Soc of Toms Rv Area meeting
Ocean Co Coll, Student Ctr, Solar Lounge. Free.
www.astra-nj.org, 732-255-0343, webmaster@astra-nj.org
19:00 - Coll of Staten Is - SI - clearsky starviewing
Astrophys Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. 718-982-2818,
csivc.csi.cuny.edu/supernove7/files/home.html,
robbins@mail.csi.cuny.edu,
19:00 - NY Academy of Sciences - MH - astronomy lecture
'The unification of physics: The ques for a Theory of
General News
----------
Many events in NYSkies were forced out due to four march 2018
nor'easter storms. Host facilities were closed or short-crewed. Some
events were formally called off ahead of the storm. Road conditions
were dangerous. Power lines were cut by blown-down trees or cars
collision with poles. Rails were blocked by fallen trees or frozen
switches/signals.
Observatory at College of Staten Is in March 2018 closed for
assorted repairs. It may lose its spring events. I moved it to the
'???' section.
Schommer Obsy, Rutgers U, has three sessions in April, not the
normal two. They are on April 12, 19, 26.
Astro Soc of Toms River Area seems to have enduring trouble with
its events webpage. Altho homepage refers to it, there are no items in
it. I leave the club in the '???' section.
Natl Musm Math seems to vary the hour for its 'Math encounters'
show. It's in late afternoon or early eveningm once or twice each
instance. Inquire at contact for any questions.
Astronomers form all over, not only within our turf, are giddy
wild about ISAW's four-part lecture set of Babylonian astronomy! it
began on March 28 and continues on April 3,d 4, 11. Almost surely the
seats are filled by readtime but do get on the waitlist RIGHT NOW. At
the March 28 talk about 30 guests were on the waitlist and about 20
were turned away when every last seat was taken.
Already you are asking for a book, film, webcast, article, &c
covering this series. As at issuetitme I don't know of any but I will
inquire for you. I'll advise you in the Yahoogroup and the email list.
NYSkies exhibits at both NEAF and Earth Day this year. NEAF is on
April 21-22 at SUNY Rockland College, Suffern NY. John Pazmino
presents talk on 'City of stars' on the 22nd. Earth Day is in Union Sq
on the 15th. Come visit our booth!
City News
-------
NYC Mayor deBlasio on 2018 Feb 28 picked Miami-Dade FL school
director Carvalho to as NYC school chancellor. He would take over from
Farin~a, stepping down on Mar 31. He suddenly backed out on mar 1 to
stay in Florida. deBlasio on Mar 5 went for 2nd choice Houston TX
school director Caranza, who as at late March is still City's new
chancellor.
In late February 2018 real estate investor Parker Shimn put out
plan to work around upcoming shutdown of Canarsie subway tunnel under
East River.r Closure in April 2019 allows repair of hurricane Sandy
ruin. Plan is a pontoon bridge. L-termatove Bridge, would span river
from N 7 St & Driggs Av, BK, to Av H * 13 St, MH, with a train of 27m-
long barges. They would be anchored to river bottom and surfaced with
two bus lanes and two foot/bike lanes. A 5-6 meter clearance under the
bridge deck passes low boats and a draw bridge near Manhattan end
passes taller water traffic. Shimn estimates he can build L-ternative
Bridge in 6-8 months for ~$100 million. Part of cost is recovered by
$1 toll on foot/bike crossing and a couple dollars for bus riders.
A live show on 2018 Mar 9 evening was presented by Dr Neil Tuson,
Hayden Planetarium. He gave his 'Talk with the stars' show at Brooklyn
Academy Of Music, where he discussed current topics in space and
astronomy and then fielded questions from the audience. He gave
Similar show at King Theater, Flatbush BK, in September 2017.
NYSkies Astronomy Seminar on 2 March 2018 explored the spring sky.
We learned that a large zone of winter stars in early spring is still
in good view. The generally milder weather in spring lets us observe
these stars in comfort and convenience. On the other hand, the Milky
Way also is in the west, receding into twilight during spring. It
leaves out sky until late spring when the summer segment rises up in
the east. This shift of Milky Way brings a colLateral shift in deepsky
objects. Most open clusters are in the west amonG the winter stars.
Globular clusters are sprinkled over most of the sky. Galaxies fill
almost the whole spring sky except along the Milky Way. We correlated
the disposition of deepsky objects with the galactic structure. We saw
that in spring a segment of the galaxy does not come above the horizon
in our latitude. We call this the 'Southern Milky Way' but its extent
varies with latitude. South of about 25d S we can observe the entire
MW band at some hour and season. The southern MW includes many bright
clusters and nebulae, favorite targets when visiting south latitude.
We discussed the rule 'March comes in like a lion and leaves like a
lamb'. It does, for the American northeast, refer to the change of
weather from wild winter to mild spring. The choice of lion and lamb
comes from the stars. In March Leo enters the sky in the east while
Aries leaves in the west. We joked about the 'lion' part because we
were at the meeting under a winter storm. For planets we reminded
about Venus coming into view in March, rising out of strong twilight
into higher sky in the west after sunset. We reserved detailed
discussion about Mars until the March 16 session. March is usually
when the Jewish month of Nisan begins, with Passover under Nisan's
Full Moon. Historicly this was declared by seeing the first crescent
after the actual New Moon. Some of us may try to catch sight of the
crescent soonest after new phase to experience this tradition. i
mentioned the prospective 'City of stars' walk, run by Amateur
Observers Society, open for NYSkiers. A test walk is on March 10
stopping at many all-new astronomy places. AOS will then assemble the
itinerary for the real tour in late spring. Takeaways were general
starchart for spring, map of Milky Way with segments labeled, map of
Southern Miulky Way, table of spring occultations, atlas plates for
spring zone of celestial sphere, maps of deepsky objects relative to
Mw, chart of summer MW in owl hours for seeing the MW in May-June,
scenes illustrating visibility of lunar crescent after new phase.
March 2018 was an extra busy month for US Prez Trump. He:
* Announced new Jerusalem embassy will open in May, possibly with
Israel's 70th anniversary. In January 2018 he noted in the
'State of the Union' that embassy will open by yearned 2019.
* Prepared for military exercises in northern Pacific Ocean with
western Pacific allies
* Improved gun safety with certain new rules on access ro guns
and banning devices to convert guns into illegal models.
* Accepted North Korea's invite to negotiate removal of nuclear
from Korean peninsula
* Discussed with Russia president Putin about cooling down
recent arms buildup and stabilizing Middle East
* Reserved certain transgender soldiers to certain lnon-ocmbat
functions in armed services
* Signed new $1.3T spending bill to keep government running thru
end of fiscal year 2018
* Rejected several China applications to buy into US digital tech
companies for exploiting US commercial/business property.
* Approved weapons sale and military training to Saudi Arabia
for defense against Iran/ISIS incursions.
* Imposed trade restrictions on many items imported from China
* Added human rights conditions and terms on Palestine Authority
for continued US financial aid
* Replaced the heads of several executive agencies and offices,
such as FBI, VA, CIA, White House staff
* Joined several countries to expel some 60 Russian diplomats
as penalty for Russia's use of nerve gas in the UK. UK accused
Russia of trying to kill a spy with gas attack in a London park.
* Inspected prototypes of US-Mexico wall, to span ~2,500km from
California to Texas.a.
* Announced his intent to run for second term as president
* Applied pressure with UN against Turkey's criminal indictment of
Rev Brunson for 'christianization'.
* Started Justice Dept investigations for several potential
FBI/CIA violations of procedures in recent years
* Confronted California for its continuing disregard of certain
federal laws and regulations
* Stepped up prosecution of narcotics trafficking, both from
overseas and domestic.
* Placed financial and business restrictions on ~30 Russian
persons and parties for tampering with 2016 US elections,
mostly in favor of candidate Clinton.
* Discussed with Israel PM Bibi for humanitarian aid to Gaza,
whose civil works and services are collapsing
* Placed new import tariffs on steel and aluminum, with exemption
for many US ally countries
All of these items, plus others, are evolving, with potential for
future modification.
FDNY Sgt Davidson was died in fire on 23 March 2018. He was in
Hamilton Hts MH building when flames or collapse blocked escape and
his air tank ran out.
NYSkies Astronomy Seminar on 16 March 2018 studied the coming
opposition of Mars. Mars rounds opposition, when he is along side of
Earth, on 2018 July 27. We played with the geocentric and heliocentric
model of Mars's orbit, seeing how the two are equivalent in a first
approximation. We traced Mars's path in spring/summer, watching the
retrograde loop. All planets go thru retrograde loops but those of
Mercury and venus occur in stronG twilight or daylight. We examined
the apparent error of direction for the east/west stations and
east/west qyadratyre. The 'west' points are in fact west of the Sun;
'east', east. The confusion comes from missing the circular shape of
the zodiac; it is not a linear stripe. We saw how the excentric
ellipse of Mars's orbit cause oppositions of varying separation from
Earth. The 2018 round is near the Mars perihelion and is a perihelic
opposition. When Mars is near apohelion, the opposition is an apohelic
one. We compared disc diameter for several oppositions, seeing how the
size ranges almost 2:1 between the extremes. The 2018 opposition is in
Capricornus, a dimmer constellation, about 183 up at culmination. Mars
is proceding eastward now, in March, thru Sagittarius, visible in owl
hours in southeast. We studied disc size during this year's apparition
from west square thru opposition to east square. The largest size last
only a week or so as Mars zooms past Earth in the retrograde loop.
Mras was in our sky since fall2017 as a dim pinkish star. His disc was
far too small for confident inspection in home telescopes. By
convention we start serious observation of Mars when he falls back to
90degrees west of the Sun, at west quadrature or square. Observing
continues thru east quadrature in fall 2018. Mars remains in the sky,
gradually dimming, thru year end and early 2019. We learned that as
much as Mars is in the news for space flights and sci-fi adventures,
the telescope view is a big let-down. Surface texture is weak, even
when mars is largest, 24 arcseconds at opposition. The best to expect
in small scopes is a smudge or two and the white polar cap. For this
year the south cap is tuned to us. This means the Sun is shining on
it, in southern spring and summer, and is melting it away. As the
apparition progresses the cap shrinks. It could be all gone by east
square. As Mars goes thru his own seasons, with axis tilt of about 25
degrees, the north and south poles alternate facing toward us. A
question came up about seasons on Earth. At the equinox day and night
ar equal but this seems to happen on March 17, not on equinox day the
20th. Part of the discrepancy is the usual way of citing sunrise and
sunset. They are the moments the Sun breaks horizon when rising and
closes horizon when setting. These occur about 1-1/2 off of the
geometric rise/east when the Sun's center is on the horizon. With this
correction the equal day/night is on the 20th. An other question came
about keeping calendars on mars. Can't the Earth calendar be mapped
onto mars by stretching the months to fill the greater number of mars
days in one Mars year? Yes, and one diagram in the takeaway had Mars's
orbit marked in this synthetic calendar. There is no generally agreed
scheme of calendar for Mars, there being many proposed varieties. We
cite the date within a Mars year either by a count of days since the
previous vernal equinox on Mars or the actual longitude of the Sun
along the Mars ecliptic. As yet there is no Mars chronolgy. Each
application of timekeeping has its own zero year, like when the
orbiting spacecraft first turned on its instruments. We were awed at
learning Mars is the only planet whose physical activity on its
surface is visible by eye from Earth. When the Mars air is clear the
planet looks pink or orange from the red sand covering. When a global
dust storm erupts, usually out of the Hellas basin, a yellow-white
dust fills th air. The planet from Earth then looks whitish or pale
yellow. Astrologers considered this color in their work, along with
the position and motion of the plane6t. We bantered about space
flights to Mars being that each opposition raises up a bunch sent
there. They launch 2-3 month before opposition and arrive at mars a
few months after opposition. The timing takes advantage of proximity
to save travel time and fuel. We noted that on the way to mars the
spacecraft follows a solar orbit in free fall. The optimum path was
worked up by Hohmann in the 1910s as part of the effort to build a
spacefaring industry in the early 20th century. A bonus at this
meeting was six tickets for American Museum. They give free admission
and one free extra show during the visit. Several NYSkierss took them
home. A late-breaking bonus was an alert about Tiangong-1, China's
fist space station. Radio comms were broken in 2016, leaving it in an
uncontrolled orbit. The orbit is decaying from air drag with a fall to
Earth expected in late March to early April. The final prediction
will come only in the last several orbits, about 6 hours before fall.
Satellite observing webs will carry latest news. Takeaways were map of
Mars retrograde loop, helioocentric and geocentric model of Mars,
orbit diagrams for oppositions, pictures of Mars disc size during this
opposition and compared with others, general planet elongation chart
for 2018, articles on observing Mars, maps of Mars surface for small
scopes, world map of Mars.
Physicist & cosmologist Stephen Hawking passed away on 13 March
2018 at his UK home at age 76. he was overtaken by long-time ALS or
Lou Gehrig's disease, that hit him at age 21. Hawking developed
blackhole theory and tried to discover a 'theory of everything' for
all of physics. In his last years he suggested there may be no union
for quantum and Einstein physics, nor any way to unveil the mystery of
a 'god'. His books, TV shows, movies enlightened both home astronomers
and public, like 'A brief history of time'. He also appeared as cameos
or 'walk-in', with his motorized cart, parts in other films about
science.
John Pazmino and Steve Kaye were among ~400 judges at NYC Sicence
and Engineering fair on 2018 March 4. The Fair was at City College,
Hamilton Hts MH with some 500 high school student presenting their
science projects. The projects they inspected were well prepared and
presented, earned good scores.By an imbalance of projects categories
and judges, Steve and John were each assigned only a couple projects,
down from the usual 5 or 6.
A chartered helicopter crashed in East Rv on 2018 March 11 ~19:15
EDST. It took off from Wall St, heading north, and went down off 88th
St with apparent engine failure. The craft landed upright but suddenly
flipped over and sank. The pilot escaped but could not free his five
passengers strapped in their seats under water. All died at scene or
in hospitals. Police towed craft, a AS350 model from Liberty
Helicopter, to shore where at end March it was under study.
Sky News
------
NYSkiers were pumped up for possible aurorae on 2018 Mar 7 & 8.
Massive solar eruption several days earlier would arrive at Earth but
time and place of particle iinflux were uncertain. Both nights in
NYSkies were too cloudy for aurora watching and most Globe at Night
assessments were 'none'.
As at 29 March 2018 China's Tiangong-1 space station is still in a
rapidly decaying orbit. Launched in 2011, all control of it was lost
in 2016. It was since in a freefall path under air drag. The 10m, 9ton
craft could drop down on April 1st and may have done so at readtime.
If the drop is over NYSkies at night in clear sky you'll see a
humongous spray of meteors
Daylight Savings Time on 2018 March 11 came this year to NYSkies
on the sneak, with little notice in news media. Normally the media
remind the public on previous day to move clocks ahead for EDST. Lack
of strong reminders made many people miss the clock change until well
within March 11. March is the 2nd month in 2018 with a 'blue Moon'.
This is according to the soft rule of being the second Full Moon in a
calendar month. The Full Moons of March are on the 1st and 31st. The
latter is also the Passover Moon .
Four nor'easter winter storms blew thru NYSkies in March 2018.
They sweeped over on 1-2, -/, 13-15, and 20-22, hitting different
section of our territory to dump heavy snow, dense rain, strong wind.
Roads covered in ice and slush, rails blocked by downed trees or
slowed by damaged signals. Widespread electric cuts when power lines
were ripped down by falling trees or collisions with poles. The storms
forced cancellation of many activities, including schools and shows.
More observers are seeing Venus, low in west-southwest within
half-hour after sunset. My own first view was on March 8, 2018,
skimming skyline. She could be missed as a distant street or yard
light. Venus creeps farther from Sun and higher over skyline in April.
Later sunset due to DST will help those who until now get to their
viewing site too late on the clock.
Ultra clear night over New York City on 2018 March 16. NYSkiers
arriving home from Seminar, other astronomers under the sky, saw the
fainter spring constellations. Among them were Hydra, Corvus, Cancer,
Monoceros, Ursa Major, Lynx. Transparency was 4-1/2 to 5th magnitude
generally over City. Some observers spotted Beehive and Coma clusters.
My own Globe at Night measurement was 5th magnitude, with Orion
getting low in west.
By March 17, 2018, most astronomers in NYSkies got first sight of
Venus in this year's apparition. The sky was clear and dark, not quite
so dark as on the 16th but thoroly one of the better nights. Some
spotted her while trying to catch First Crescent for jewish month of
Nisan. March 17 was in fact Nisan 1.
Globe at night readings in Earth Hour on 24 March 2018, 20:30-
21:30 EDST, were hindered by clouds and gibbous Moon. Observers
reported no obvious reduction of luminous graffiti during the hour.