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NYC EVENTS FOR MARCH 2010 -------------------------- 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.
Hours thru March 13th are Eastern Standard Time. From March 14th
they are Eastern Daylight Savings Time.
NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
-----------------------
SInce its founding in March of 2005, the Seminar met at St Paul's
Lutheran Church in Chelsea. Our dealings with the staff was cordial
and pleasant and it was happy to renew our lease year to year.
It now finds that with increased demand for rentals in its space
it is no longer able to offer a renewal. Our final meetings at St
Paul's are on March 3rd and 17th.
In its five years the Seminar became a role model and idol for
urban astronomy with its vigorous discussions, show-&-tell, reports,
slideshows, and outside speakers.
NYSkies is aggressively seeking a new host for the Seminar.
NYSkies supporters are busy digging up leads and prospects. As at late
february we have several good possibilities.
Soonest we conclude a new arrangement we will announce the new
venue. We do have an emergency offer to bridge any gap between the end
of March and a start at a new space.
I thank my fellow astronomers who rose to the occasion in the
spirit and zeal that so well makes New York the greatest and best
place for home astronomy any where on Earth.
We'll have a special 5th anniversary session in April at the new
or interim location for all of you!
World Trade Center court trial
----------------------------
The masterminds of the 2001 World Trade Center collapse go on
trial 'soon'. The City is preparing for the proceding with extra
safety measures around the US Federal Court House in Foley Square.
Some agitation sprang up to move the trial to, as examples, Gitmo
or Avatar's Pandora, For now there is no official change of venue from
Manhattan. Plans for the trial are under review with Manhattan still
an open option.
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 - - - 19
Secret Science Club - - - 9
CONNECTICUT - CT
*A S of Gtr Hartford - - - 17
Astro Soc of Greenwich - 3
*Astro Soc of New Haven - 30
*Bethany Observatory - - - 19
Boothe Meml Astro Soc - - 5, 19
Bowman Observatory - - - 9, 23
CT Tripoli Rocketry Assn XX
Ephemera 30 bookfair - - 19-21
Litchfield Antqn bookfair 27
Litchfield Hills AAC - - lmaac@hotmail.com,
www.fortunecity.com/victorian/twain/1206/id19.htm .
*Mattituck Astro Soc - - - 18
*McCarthy Observatory - - 13
Stamford Observatory - - 5, 12, 19, 26
*Van Vleck Obsy (ASGH) - - 20
Van Vleck Obsy (WU) - - - 3, 24
Western CT St Univ - - - 6, 11, 20
*Westport Astro Soc - - - 3, 4, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 24, 26, 31
LONG ISLAND - LI
*Amat Observers Society - 7
Astro Soc of Long Island 3, 10, 17, 24
Brookhaven Natl Lab - - - 23
Custer Institute - - - - 6, 13, 20, 27
Hofstra Univ Obsy - - - - 7
Innovative Stone Co - - - 0
*Jones Bh St Pk - - - - - 12
Long Island bookfair - - 27-28
Montauk Observatory - - - 27
National Space Soc-LISS - chapters.nss.org/ny/longisland,
trekker724@aol.com
*Robert Moses St Pk - - - 12, 13, 19, 20
SUNY Stony Brook - - - - 5
MANHATTAN - MH
207th yard & shop - - - - 20
42nd St (Central) Library 3
92nd Street Y (Lex & 92) 23
African Burial Ground - - 1
Anat Astro Assn - - - - - 1, 5
Amer Musm Natl Hist - - - 3, 15
Broadway-Nassau station - 6-2010 Aug, 7-2010 Aug
Cafe' Science - - - - - - 8
Central Park - - - - - - 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28
City College Physics - - 3, 24
*Columbia Univ Astro - - - 3, 10, 24
*Columbia Univ Obsy - - - 5, 26
Consortm Intell Cultr - - 5
Cornelia St Cafe' - - - - 7
Ctr for Atmosp Ocean Std 10, 24, 31
Daylight Savings Time - - 14
Earth Hour - - - - - - - 27
Ensemble Studio Theatre - 3-18
flat-fare taxi service - 3
GLOBE at Night - - - - - 3-16
Go Green Expo - - - - - - 20-21
Goddard Inst for Spc Std 12
Good Housekeeping lab - - 12
Hayden Planetarium - - - 2, 3, 10, 17, 24, 30, 31
History of Science Soc - 24
Inittv for Theortcl Sci - 1
Instt Strings, Cosmology 4
Intrepid Museum - - - - - 1-Jun 30
*Inwood Astronomy Project 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31
Isaac Asimov Debate - - - 15
Leonardo da Vinci exhibit 1-indef
Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT subways 0
Madoff benches - - - - - 0
Madoff clawback - - - - - 0
Mid Manhattan Library - - 8
Nationall Space Soc-NYC - 3, 17
New Amsterdam Trail - - - 0
New York Univ Astro - - - 5, 12, 26
NY Academy of Sciences - www.nyas.org, 212-838-0230.
NYC Sci & Engg Fair - - - 7
*NYSkies Astronomy Seminar 3, 17
parade shortening - - - - 31
Physics Club of NY - - - 19
Pi Day - - - - - - - - - 14
Rockefeller University - 212-327-8000, www.rockefeller.edu,
pubinfo@rockefeller.edu
Rubin Museum of Art - - - 1-May 10, 3, 5, 12, 19, 26
SIBL disturbance days - - 2, 11, 20
SciCafe' - - - - - - - - 3
Serving Science - - - - - 1
South Street Seaport - - 1-indef
Space Frontier Foundatn - 3, 10, 17, 24
Swine Flu epidemic - - - 0
Time-Life Building - - - 19
Titanic exhibit - - - - - 1-indef
*Top of the Lawn - - - - - 5-7, 12-14, 19-21
Urban Park Rangers - - - 1
World Trade Center trial XX
NEW JERSEY - NJ
A A A of Princeton - - - 9
A S of Toms Rv Area - - - 12
*Amat Astro Inc - - - - - 5, 12, 19, 26
Buehler-Columbia AAA - - XX
Dark Sky Observers - - - www.users.nac.net/gburke/club
Instt for Advd Study - - 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Irons Lecture - - - - - - 27
Montclair Telescope Club 973-948-5284, bischoff@garden.net,
users.erols.com/njastro/orgs/mtc.hrm
*Morris Musm Astro Soc - - 11
N W Jersey Amat Astro - - www.nwjaa.org, info@nwjaa.org
Natl Space Soc-NJN - chapters.nss.org/nj/njn, cpankanin@aol.com
*New Jersey Astro Assn - - 20, 27
North Jersey Astro Group 10
Ocean County College - - 20
Passaic Co Astro Assn www.users.nac.net/gburke/PCAA, 973-523-0024
Princeton Univ Obsy - - - 10
Rutgers Univ Astro Collqm 3, 10, 24, 31
Rutgers Univ Astro Semnr 5, 12, 26
*S*T*A*R - - - - - - - - - 4
Schommer Observatory - - 11, 25
*Sheep Hill Astro Assn - - 7
*Sheep Hill Observatory - 19
Skyland Stargazers - - - skylandstargazers.tripod.com
*Utd Astro Clubs of NJ - - APR - www.uacnj.org
Washington Xing St Pk - - APR - www.princetonastronomy.org,
609-737-2575, drexparker@aol.com
QUEENS - QN Alley Pond Park - - - - - 13 NY Hall of Science - - - 1-Apr 18 Queens College Physics - 1, 8, 15 Roosevelt Is tram closing 1-2010 Sep Safari 7 - - - - - - - - 0 York College Observatory 10 REST OF WORLD STATEN ISLAND - SI College of Staten Is - - 8, 22 Great Kills Park - - - - 20 Staten Is Community TV - 1 THE BRONX - BX UPSTATE - NY
Andrus Planetarium - - - 5, 12, 19, 26
*Anthony Wayne Rec Area - APR - 201-768-3298,
www.rocklandastronomy.com, webnaster@rocklandastronomy.com,
*Catskills Astro Club - - XX
Lamont-Doherty Obsy - - - 5, 12, 26
Lwr Hudson Vy Challgr Ctr 21
Mid-Hudson Astro Assn - - 16
Orange Co Astro Assn - www.ocastronomy.org, info@ocastronomy.org
*Rockland Astronomy Club - 201-768-3298, www.rocklandastronomy.com,
webnaster@rocklandastronomy.com,
Swinging Bridge dam - - - 0
Vassar Coll Obsy - - - - 3, 24
Ward Pound Ridge - - - - 13
Westchester Amat Astro - 5
Wilcox Park - - - - - - - 5
Monthly Calendar -------------- Plain dates are in current month; -, previous month; +, next month. Moon phase: .NM., .FQ), (FM), (LQ. -------------------------------- Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat --- --- --- --- --- --- --- (-28) 1 2 3 4 5 6 .7) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 .15. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 (23. 24 25 26 27 28 (29) 30 31 +1 +2 +3 General notes
-----------
'whole City' means the event has no specific or dedicated place.
It may be enjoyed from everywhere in the NYSkies territory or at a
number of individual places. Celestial events are typicly 'whole City'
events.
'all day' means the event is continuous or repeating during the
open hours of the host facility. Some facilities may have limited
hours per day or days per week. Check with the contacts.
Prices cited are the 'rack rate'. You could qualify for discounts
as may be offered by the sponsor. Besides the base price there may be
optional extra fees to consider.
List of events
------------
XXX XX Mar - DATES NOT SET YET; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
all day - US Federal Court House - MH - WTC criminal trial
Masterminds of 2001 Sep 11 attack on WTC go on trial. Expect
massive rearrangement of daily routine within 1km radius of
Foley Sq. Details in local news media.
12:00 - Bethany - CT - CT Tripoli Rocketry Assn meeting
Bethany Town Hall. Free. www.ctra-narconn.org,
860-583-1690
20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture
Bergen Commty Coll, Buehler Obsy. Free.
www.bergen.edu/buehler, ropstbaum@bergen.edu.
20:00 - Liberty - NY - clearsky starviewing
Catskills Astro Club. Walnut Mountain Pk. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.catskillsastro.org, kocis@verizon.net.
All 0 Mar
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 - Battery Park - MH - cultural tour
indefinite duration. Natl Pks of NY Harbor & Natl Pk Svc. 'New
Amsterdam Trail'. Self-guided walk thru culture and history of
Dutch era of Manhattan. Download booklet and audio narration
to play during walk. Free. www.nyharborparks.org.
Indefinite duration. 226 W 44 St, 7 Av. Items recovered from
all day - IRT Flushing line - QN - cultural tour
Indefinite duration. 'Safari 7' self-guided tour of history,
culture, nature along subway route. Free, DL map and audio
files. www.safari7.org, info@safari7.org.
all day - Hauppauge - LI - cultural exhibit
COMPANY IS IN CHAP 11; FATE OF CORNERSTONE IS UNCERTAIN
Indefinite duration. Innovative Stone Company, show yard.
Actual 20-ton granite inscribed block for Freedom Tower
(1 WTC) cornerstone, placed in tower's foundation on 4 July
2004. Removed for safekeeping until construction can resume.
Free. 631-273-4445, www.innovativestone.com,
info@innovativestone.com
all day - Swinging Bridge - NY - potential flood emergency
Indefinite duration. Flood alert on Mongaup & upper Delaware
rivers due to sinkhole in Swinging Bridge dam. Listen for
news and advice from local emergency management agencies.
www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/safety/swinging.asp
all day - whole City - MH - swine flu epidemic
Indefinite duration. Global outbreak in mid April 2009 of
swine (H1N1 flu). Symptoms resemble ordinary flu but comes
from new strain. Some health tips:
* wash hands after handling shared items
* eat healthy food, avoid excess sweets
* drink lots of hot liquids: soup, broth, tea
* keep hands off of face and eyes
* gargle with antiseptic wash or hot salty water
* contain coughs and sneezes in disposable tissue
* stay home if sick
* if flu breaks out, get medical attention quickly.
Details at your physician and public health office.
Mon 1 Mar
all day - South Street Seaport - MH - Bodies exhibit
CHILDREN SHOULD OBTAIN ADULT GUIDANCE FOR THIS EVENT!
ASSOCIATED BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN DOES NOT BENEFIT THE
EXHIBIT SPECIMINA!
Indefinite duration. 11 Fulton St. About 30 human cadavers,
some intact, some dissected and laid out for inspection of
organs. Specimina replaced with fresh ones from time to time.
$27.50 adm. www.southstreetseaport.com
all day - Discovery Exhibition Hall - MH - 'Titanic' exhibit
Titanic oceanliner. Story of construction, sailing, disaster.
$26.50 adm. www.discoverytsx.com, 866-987-9692
all day - Discovery Exhibition Hall - MH - 'da Vinci' exhibit
Indefinite duration. 226 W 44 St, 7 Av. papers, models,
scenes of Leonard da Vinci workshop and devices. $26.50 adm.
www.discoverytsx.com, 866-987-9692
all day - whole City - MH - cultural tours & lectures
VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Urban Park Rangers. Tours of parks, landmarks, nabes, hoods.
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_rosenberg@verizon.net, 718-522-5014
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 - Intrepid Museum - MH - astronomy exhibit
Thru Jun 30. Pier 86, Hudson Rv & 46 St. ' Mission to Mars'
history of US exploration of Mars, with Mars rover mockup. $24
adm. 212-245-0072, www.intrepidmuseum.org
all day - 42nd St Library - MH - science exhibit
Thru Jun 26. 5 Av & 42 St. 'Mapping New York's shoreline,
1609-2009'. Free. www.nypl.org
all day - Rubin Museum of Art - MH - science exhibit
Thru May 10. 150 W 17 St. 'Visions of the cosmos' cultural
interpretation of the heavens from many societies and eras.
$10 adm. 212-620-5000, www.rmanyc.org
all day - NY Hall of Science - QN - science exhibit
Thru Apr 18. 111 St & Roosevelt Av (Corona), 'Math midway',
interactive displays for statistics, geometry, numbers, music.
$11 musm adm. 718-699-0005, www.nysci.org
all day - African Burial Ground - MH - visitors center opening
Visitor center opened Feb 27 in adjacent Federal offices.
Exhibits, theater, artifacts, books, pictures about Afro-
Americans in NYC. Free, pass security screen, have GI photo
ID. www.nps.gov/afbg
12:00 - Queens College - QN - science lecture
Physics Conf Rm, B326. Various topics in physics and
astronomy. Free. www.physics.qc.edu/colloq.php, 718-997-3350
18:00 - Kouzan Restaurant - MH - Serving Science lecture
685 Amsterdam Av, 93/94 St. Supper/chat with City College
profs on sci topics. $10 fee, incl 1 drink, + own meal.
web.cuny.edu/research/Serving-Science-CUNY-Science-Cafe.html
18:30 - CUNY Grad Ctr - MH - science lecture
Initiative for the Theoretical Sciences. 'Physics, finance,
and some surprisingly useful mathematics'. Free, adv regn
reqd, gconlinecommunity@gc.cuny.edu
Tue 2 Mar
10:00 - Sci Ind Biz Liby - MH - disturbance day
Presentations in lecture hall are played thruout library,
possibly disturbing every one. SIBL suggests going to other
library branches for quiet reading. www.nypl.org/research/sibl
11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture
Princeton Univ, Bloomberg Hall, library. Free.
www.sns.ias.edu/astro/astrocal.php,
wserber@astro.princeton.edu
18:30 - Hayden Planetarium - MH - Virtual Universe show
Live skyshow of computer graphics and astro databases.
$15 adm. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs
Wed 3 Mar
all day - whole City - MH - GLOBE at Night campaign
Thru Mar 16. Assess sky brightness by comparing Orion
with standard chart. Report contact, observing site,
date & hour, and best-fit chart for instant view of Orion.
www.nyskies.org/temp.htm, nyskies@nyskies.org, 212-273-5958.
06:00 - Park Av corridor - M - flat-fare taxi service begins
thru 10:00 on weekdays. Board taxi at base, ride to any stop
in Park Av corridor, for flat fare. original start on Feb 26,
delayed by snowstorm until Mar 3.
----------------------------------------
base station | fare | Park Av stops
------------------+------+--------------
57 St/8 Av | $3 | 57 St->42 St
72 St/Columbus Av | $4 | 72 St->42 St
72 St/3 Av | $4 | 72 St=>42 St
---------------------------------------
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
13:00 - Rubin Museum of Art - MH - science cinema
150 W 17 St. 'Cosmic travels in space and time', Einstein's
days in Italy working on what a light beam sees in its
travels. $10 adm. 212-620-5000, www.rmanyc.org
16:00 - City College - MH - science lecture
Marshak Hall, Rm 418N. Various topics in physics and
astronomy. Free. www.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/physics/calendar,
physics@sci.ccny.cuny.edu, 212-650-6832
16:15 - Columbia Univ - MH - astronomy lecture
Pupin Hall, Rm 1332. Free. www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach,
212-854-3278, outreach-admin@astro.columbia.edu
16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
Colloquium series. Rutgers Univ, Busch Campus, Phys Lectr
Hall. Free. www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium, 732-445-3974,
18:00 - Whiskey Park - MH - Space Frontier Foundtn mtg
Central Pk S & 6 Av. Informal social for spacefaring fans.
Free, RSVP by 12:00. william.watson@spacefrontier.org,
www.spacefrontier.org,
19:00 - St Paul's Lutheran Ch - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
DISCUSSION: PREPARATION FOR GLOBE at Night
Combined meeting with Natl Spc Soc-NYC Chap
315 W 22nd St & 8 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show &
tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies
territory. Free. nyskies@nyskies.org, www.nyskies.org,
212-273-5958
19:00 - St Paul's Luthrn Ch - MH - Natl Spc Soc meeting
DISCUSSION: PREPARATION FOR GLOBE at Night
Combined meeting with NYSkies Astronomy Inc
315 W 22nd St & 8 Av. Discussion of astro/space topics, show
& tell, skywatching reports, news of astro/space activity in
NYC vicinity. Free. chapters.nss.org/ny/nyc,
astrohal@webtv.net
19:00 - 42nd St Library - MH - science lecture
'Einstein's god', his personal belief in a supreme being.
Free. southcourt@nypl.org, www.nypl.org/calendar/index.cfm,
212-930-9284
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 - 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
19:30 - Greenwich - CT - Astro Soc of Greenwich meeting
Bruce Museum. Free. rbria@juno.com, www.seocom.com/asg,
203-896-6786-x338
20:00 - 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
Westport Astro Soc. Rolnick Obsy. Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing
OCCASIONAL EXTRA SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Inwood Astronomy Project. Meet at park entrance, Seaman Av &
isham St. Free, cancelled for clouds. www.inwoodastronomy.org,
917-529-2359, jasonskendall@gmail.com
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting
Vanderbilt Plm. Free. www.asliclub.org, info@asliclub.org
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing
Vassar College, Observatory. Free, cancelled for clouds.
physicsandastronomy.vassar.edu/observatory.html,
845-437-7340
Thu 4 Mar
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
20:00 - Lincroft - NJ - S*T*A*R meeting
Brookdale Commty Coll, Mommouth Museum. Free.
www.starastronomy.org, s-walters@comcast.net
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
Fri 5 Mar
10:00 - Columbia University - MH - cultural conference
Consrtm for Intelltl and Cultrl Hist. Deutsches Haus, 420 W
166 St & Amsterdam Av. 'Brainwashing, mind control, ... '
wksp & demo. Free, adv regn reqd.
www.columbia.edu/cu/cich/conf.html
14:30 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture
Meyer Hall, 5th fl. Various topics in astrophys and
relativity. Free. physics,nyu.edu, dgsphys@nyu.edu,
212-998-7706
15:00 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
Seminar series. Rutgers Univ, Serin 385E. Free. 732-445-3974,
www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium
15:30 - Palisades - NY - science lecture
Lamont-Doherty Earth Obsy, Monell Audm. Various topics in
geophysics and earth science. Free, 845-365-8634,
www.ldeo.columbia.edu, snooner@ldeo.columbia.edu,
18:15 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - Amat Astro Assn lecture
Kaufmann Thtr. Free. richard_rosenberg@verison.net,
718-522-5014.
19:00 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture
Pupin Hall, signs to lecture room. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach,
212-854-3278, outreach-admin@astro.columbia.edu
19:30 - 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 - Yonkers - NY - Westchester Amat Astro meeting
Hudson River Museum, 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
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 - Wilcox Park - NY - clearsky starviewing
Mid Hudson Astro Assn. Free, cancelled for clouds
www.midhudsonastro.org. 845-485-5669, trankin@hvc.cc.com
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 - Stratford - CT - Boothe Meml Astro Soc mtg
Boothe Meml Pk, Obsy. Free. www.bmas.org, info@bmas.org
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing
Stamford Obsy. $3 adm, cancelled for clouds.
www.stamfordmuseum.org, cescovil@earthlink.net, 203-322-6537
21:30 - Rubin Museum of Art - MH - science cinema
150 W 17 St. 'Cosmic Caberetcinema', science or sci-fi film
and discussion. Free, $7 bar minimum. 212-620-5000,
www.rmanyc.org
Sat 6 Mar
all day - Broadway-Nassau station - MH - station closure
Every Satuday thru 2010 August. 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
18:00 - 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 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting
PLUS OCCASIONAL EXTRA EVENTS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Custer Instt. Indoor program, clearsky starviewing. $5-$15
adm, varies with program. www.custerobservatory.org,
CusterDonna@yahoo.com, 631-765-2626
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
Sun 7 Mar
all day - Broadway-Nassau station - MH - station closure
Every Sunday thru 2010 August. 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
13:15 - Uniondale - LI - Amat Obsrs Soc meeting
Nassau Commty Coll, Bdg F, Room 123. Free. www.aosny.org,
suerose@optonline.net
14:00 - City College - MH - NYC Science & Engineering Fair
Shepard Hall, Great Hall. Science exhibits by high school
students thruout the City competing for national and
international awards. Free. collegenow.cuny.edu/sciencefair
18:00 - Cornelia St Cafe' - MH - Entertaining Science show
29 Cornelia St & W 4 St, Play & music on various science
themes. $10 adm. www.corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319
19:00 - Hempstead - LI - clearsky starviewing
Hofstra University, Chem-Phys Bdg, Rm 117. Free, cancelled
for clouds. 516-463-2759, www.hofstra.edu/Academics,
observatory@hofstra.edu Mon 14 Dec
19:30 - Boonton - NJ - Sheep Hill Astro Assn meeting
Boonton Town Hall. Free. www.uacnj.org/clubs/shaa.htm,
ajmonka@att.net
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
Mon 8 Mar
all day - Ensemble Studio Theatre - MH - cultural show
Thru 28 Mar. 549 W 52 St & 10 Av. 'Lenin's embalmers',
search and struggle for ways to preserve Lenin's body after he
died. 212-247-4982, www.ensemblesttudiotheatre.org.
12:00 - Queens College - QN - science lecture
17:30 - PicNic Cafe' - MH - Cafe' Science lecture
2665 Broadway & 101 St. Supper/chat with Columbia Univ
profs on sci topics. $10 fee, incl 1 drink, + own meal.
212-222-8222, alumni.columbia.edu/learn/s3_6.html,
cafescience@columbia.edu
18:30 - Mid Manhattan Liby - MH - cultural lecture
'The moneymakers: the history of counterfeiting in America'.
Free. www.nypl.org/calendar/index.cfm,
20:00 - Coll of Staten Is - SI - clearsky starviewing
Astrophys Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. 718-982-2818,
robbins@mail.csi.cuny.edu, supernova7.apsc.csi.cuny.edu
Tue 9 Mar
11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture - see Mar 2
19:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of Greenwich. Julian Curtis Elem Schl, Bowman
Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. rbria@juno.com,
www.seocom.com/asg, 203-896-6786-x338
20:00 - Princeton - NJ - Amat Astro Assn of Princeton meeting
Princeton U, Peyton Hall. Free. www.princetonastronomy.org,
609-737-2575, drexparker@aol.com
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,
www.unionhallny.com/events
Wed 10 Mar
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Mar 3
15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture
Ctr for Atmosp & Ocean Studies. 251 Mercer St. Various
topics in geophysics and earth science. Free.
caos.cims.nyu.edu, shafer@cims.nyu.edu
16:15 - Columbia Univ - MH - astronomy lecture - see Mar 3
16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Mar 3
18:00 - Whiskey Park - MH - Space Frontier Foundtn mtg - see Mar 3
19:30 - York College - QN - astronomy lecture
Core Academic Hall, Room 2E01. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. 718-262-2082, paglione@york.cuny.edu
york.cuny.edu/centers-institutes/observatory
20:00 - Upper Montclair - NJ - No Jersey Astro Gp meeting
Montclair St Univ, Richardson Hall, Room 232. Free.
njastro.org, 973-655-7266, mwest@pegasus.montclair.edu
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Mar 3
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
21:00 - Princeton - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Princeton Univ, Peyton Hall. Free, cancelled for clouds
www.astro.princeton.edu/events.htm,
wserber@astro.princeton.edu
Thu 11 Mar
18:00 - Sci Ind Biz Liby - MH - disturbance day
Presentations in lecture hall are played thruout library,
possibly disturbing every one. SIBL suggests going to other
library branches for quiet reading. www.nypl.org/research/sibl
19:00 - Danbury - CT - clearsky starviewing
Westn Conn St Uv, Obsy/Plm. Free, cancelled for clouds.
www.wcsu.edu/starwatch, 203-837-8671, dawsond@wcsu.edu
19:30 - Morristown - NJ - Morris Museum Astro Soc meeting
Morris Museum. Free. 973-386-1848, tedbarker-JDCO@att.net,
www.morrismuseum.org/static/education/astronomical.html
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
21:00 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Rutgers Univ, Schommer Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds.
732-205-0020, www.physics.rutgers.edu/ast/ast-serin.html
pryor@physics.rutgers.edu
Fri 12 Mar
10:00 - Good Housekeeping Resrch Instt - MH - science tour
Hearst Tower, 57 St & 8 Av. Walk thru history and science of
porduct testing center of Good Housekeeping magazine. Free,
adv regn reqd. 212-649-5000, ghritours@hearst.com
11:00 - Goddard Inst Spc Stud - MH - science lecture
Various topics in geophysics and earth science. Free,
adv regn reqd, else no entry. Have GI photo ID for campus
security. www.giss.nasa.gov, 212-678-5540,
pformosa@giss.nasa.gov
14:30 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Mar 5
15:00 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Mar 5
15:30 - Palisades - NY - science lecture - see Mar 5
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 - Jones Bh St Pk - LI - astronomy lecture
Amat Obsrs Soc. Roosevelt Natr Ctr, Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. $3 fee, adv regn reqd. www.aosny.org,
suerose@optonline.net, 516-679-7254
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Mar 5
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Mar 5
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing
Amat Obsrs Soc. Parking field #2, Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.aosny.org, suerose@optonline.net
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
21:30 - Rubin Museum of Art - MH - science cinema - see Mar 5
Sat 13 Mar
19:00 - Alley Pond Park - QN - astronomy lecture
Alley Pond Enviro Ctr. Indoor lecture, clearsky starviewing.
$10 fee. www.alleypond.com, info@alleypond.com, 718-229-4000
19:00 - 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 - New Milford - CT - astronomy lecture
McCarthy Obsy, New Miford HS. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.mccarthyobservatory.org,
860-354-1595, contact@mccarthyobservatory.org,
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 12
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Mar 6
Sun 14 Mar
all day - whole City - MH - Pi Day
Also 2010 Jul 22. Celebrations for number pi, 3.14159... .
Dates come form '3.14' and '22/7'. Ask at local astronomy
center for details.
02:00 - whole City - MH - Daylight Savings Time starts
Set clocks AHEAD, FORWARD one hour. Most people do this when
they go to bed on the 13th so they wake up at the new time.
The hour 02:00 thru 02:59 does not exist. The minute after
01:59 is 03:00.
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
Mon 15 Mar
12:00 - Queens College - QN - science lecture
19:30 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - Isaac Asimov Debate
Lefrak Thtr. 'Moon, Mars and beyond: where next for the
manned space program?'. $15 adm. 212-769-5100,
www.amnh.org/programs
Tue 16 Mar
19:30 - New Paltz - NY - Mid Hudson Astro Assn meeting
SUNY New Paltz, Coykendall Audm. Free. 845-485-5669,
www.midhudsonastro.org, trankin@hvc.rr.com
20:00 - Westport - CT - Westport Astro Soc meeting
Rolnick Obsy. Free. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
Wed 17 Mar
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Mar 3
11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture - see Mar 2
18:00 - Whiskey Park - MH - Space Frontier Foundtn mtg - see Mar 3
19:00 - St Paul's Lutheran Ch - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
DISCUSSION: PREPARATION FOR EARTH HOUR AND MOON ZOO
Combined meeting with Natl Spc Soc-NYC Chap
315 W 22nd St & 8 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show &
tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies
territory. Free. nyskies@nyskies.org, www.nyskies.org,
212-273-5958
19:00 - St Paul's Luthrn Ch - MH - Natl Spc Soc meeting
DISCUSSION: PREPARATION FOR EARTH HOUR AND MOON ZOO
Combined meeting with NYSkies Astronomy Inc
315 W 22nd St & 8 Av. Discussion of astro/space topics, show
& tell, skywatching reports, news of astro/space activity in
NYC vicinity. Free. chapters.nss.org/ny/nyc,
astrohal@webtv.net
19:00 - Waterbury - CT - Mattituck Astro Soc meeting
Naugatuck Vy Commty Coll, Ekstrom Hall. Free.
mastransit.org, btbrick@mastransit.org
19:30 - New Britain - CT - Astro Soc of Gtr Hartford meeting
Centl Conn St Uv, Copernicus Plm. Free, www.asgh.org,
860-872-9069, pparkerrs@cs.com
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Mar 3
fri 19 Mar
08:30 - Time-Life Building - MH - cultural conference
6 Av & 50 St, Henry Luce Room. 'Monuments to science and
faith', interrelation and interaction of science and faith.
Free, adv regn reqd. www.webmark.com/monumentsconservancy,
212-764-5645-x10, symposium@nationalsculpture.org
09:00 - Old Greenwich - CT - Ephermera 30 bookfair & conference
Thru Sun 21 Mar. Hyatt Regency hotel. Major source of
astronomy books, prints, maps. $12, 3-day adm. 603-509-2639,
flamingoeventz.com
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Mar 5
19:15 - New York University - MH - Physics Club of NY meeting
Silver Ctr, Rm 207. Jointly with Chemistry Teacher's Club.
Free, bring GI photo ID for campus security.
jdepalma@nyc.rr.com, www.sconyc-ny.org
20:00 - Floyd Bennett Field - BK - clearsky starviewing
Natl Park Svc. Model airplane flying field. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.nyskies.org, stephenlieber@nyc.rr.com,
nyskies@nyskies.org
20:00 - Bethany - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of New Haven. Yale Univ, Bethany Obsy. Free,
cancelled for clouds. www.asnh.org, prez@asnh.org
20:00 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc lecture
Union Co Coll, Smith Audm. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asterism.org
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
20:00 - Stratford - CT - Boothe Meml Astro Soc mtg - see Mar 5
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 12
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
20:30 - Boonton - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Sheep Hill Astro Assn obsy, Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.uacnj.org/clubs/shaa.htm, ajmonka@att.net
21:30 - Rubin Museum of Art - MH - science cinema - see Mar 5
Sat 20 Mar
10:30 - 207th St yard & shop - MH - cultural tour
Elec RR Assn. Broadway & 211 St. Walk thru history and culture
of major transit repair facility. $20 tkt, adv rgen reqd, have
GI photo ID for campus security. sidkeyles@optonline.net,
201-684-9408
11:00 - Pier 92 - MH - Go Green Expo
Thru Sun 21 Mar. Hudson Rv, 55 St. Exhibits, talks, wksps.
demos for sustainable and eco-friendly building, furnishings,
living. $25 2-day tkt. gogreenexpo.com/events/
11:00 - Sci Ind Biz Liby - MH - disturbance day
Presentations in lecture hall are played thruout library,
possibly disturbing every one. SIBL suggests going to other
library branches for quiet reading. www.nypl.org/research/sibl
19:00 - Danbury - CT - astronomy lecture - see Mar 6
MEETS AT 19:00, NOT 18:00
19:30 - 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 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of Gtr Hartford, Wesleyan U, Van Vleck Obsy. Free,
cancelled for clouds. www.asgh.org, 860-872-9069,
pparkerrs@cs.com
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Mar 6
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 12
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - aww Mar 3
20:30 - Voorhees St Pk - NJ - astronomy lecture
NJ Astro Assn. NJAA-HQ, Robinson Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. www.njaa.org, 908-368-8600
21:00 - Toms River - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Ocean County College, Novis Plm. 'Spring star watch'. Free,
cancelled for clouds. www.ocean.edu/campus/planetarium,
732-255-0343
Sun 21 Mar
14:00 - Airmont - NY - science show
Lwr Hudson Vy Challenger Ctr, 225 Rt 29. Multimedia
simulation of space missions. $20 adm. www.lhvcc.com,
director@lhvcc.com, 845-257-3416.
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
Mon 22 Mar
20:00 - Coll of Staten Is - SI - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 8
Tue 23 Mar
11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture - see Mar 2
15:30 - Upton - LI - astronomy lecture
Brookhaven Natl Lab, Bldg 510. 'Inflation and dark matter in
the standard model of the universe'. Free, have GI photo ID
for campus security. www.bnl.gov, 631-344-8000
19:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 9
20:00 - 92nd St Y - MH - astronomy lecture
Lexington Av & 92 St. 'Extra dimensions of space' with Lisa
Randall. $27 tkt. www.92y.org, 212-415-5500
Wed 24 Mar
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Mar 3
15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture - see Mar 10
16:00 - City College - MH - science lecture - see Mar 3
16:15 - Columbia Univ - MH - astronomy lecture - see Mar 3
16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Mar 3
18:00 - Whiskey Park - MH - Space Frontier Foundtn mtg - see Mar 3
18:00 - New York University - MH - science lecture
Hist of Sci Soc. Gallatin Hall, Rm 801. 'Einstein's encounter
with mathematics, the Swiss years'. Free. jdauben@gc.cuny.edu,
gfh2104@columbia.edu,
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Mar 3
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
Thu 25 Mar
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
21:00 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 11
Fri 26 Mar
14:30 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Mar 5
15:00 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Mar 5
15:30 - Palisades - NY - science lecture - see Mar 5
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Mar 5
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Mar 5
20:00 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Mar 5
MEETS AT 20:00, NOT 19:0
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
21:30 - Rubin Museum of Art - MH - science cinema - see Mar 5
Sat 27 Mar
11:00 - Garden City - LI - Long Island Book & Ephemera Fair
Thru Sun 28 Mar. Garden City Field House. Major source of
astronomy books, prints, maps. $6, 2-day adm 603-509-2639,
flamingoeventz.com
14:00 - Piscataway - NJ - Irons Lecture
Rutgers Univ, Busch Campus, Phys Lectr Hall. 'Exploding stars
and atom smashers' Free. fran@physics.rutgers.edu
732-445-5500-x4277
15:30- Litchfield - CT - Litchfield Antqrn Book & Ephemera Fair
Litchfield Commnty Ctr. Major source of astronomy books,
prints, maps. $5 adm, bookfairs.com
19:00 - Bridgehampton - LI - astronomy lecture
Montauk Obsy. Bridgehampton Publ Liby. 'Sun spot activity and
Earth's climate'. Free www.montaukobservatory.com
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Mar 6
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
20:30 - whole City - MH = Earth Hour carbon reduction
Thru 21:30. During 20:30-21:30 EDST curtail fossil fuel
consumption by turning off ovens, stoves, oil heaters;
suspending motor vehicle operation; turning off electric
devices. Shut off excess outdoor lighting to help darken
sky. Apply GLOBE at Night method to track sky brightness thru
Earth Hour. www.nyskies.org/temp.htm, nyskies@nyskies.org,
212-273-5958
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 28 Mar
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 5
Tue 30 Mar
11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture - see Mar 2
18:30 - Hayden Planetarium - MH - Celestial Highlights show
Live skyshow of current evening sky. $15 adm.
212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs
19:00 - New Haven - CT - Astro Soc of New Haven meeting
Yale Univ, Leitner Family Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asnh.org, prez@asnh.org
Wed 31 Mar
all day - whole City - MH - parade shortening
New parades must last no longer than 5 hours and have routes
at least 25% shorter than previous runs. Rules needed to fit
reduced police service. Check at each parade sponsor or local
news media for details.
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Mar 3
15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture - see Mar 10
16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Mar 3
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Mar 3
General news
----------
I moved certain long-running events to a new section 'All 0 Mar'
because the list for the first of each month was gradually growing
longer as new long-running activities were added. These are not events
in the sense of a show performed at particular dates and hours. They
are conditions and situations that sit over the City. In the index
they are noted to fall on the zeroth day of the month.
The Long Island chapter of National Space Society plans a revival
after about a half year of dormancy. No events yet slated so I put it
in the Index of Events for contact.
SIBL stays with NYC Events for its 'disturbance days', altho its
superb cultural lectures, mostly for New York City history, are now
carried by the 42nd St or Mid Manhattan branches.
A couple lingering event operators are still in the 'XXX' section!
Apart from hindering NYC Events readers, this status REALLY gives the
operator a big black eye when they try to show off their activities.
Event news
--------
The trial of the WTC gang is postponed while preparations continue
in the streets around the US Court House to increase safety. I now
have to list it in the 'XXX' section!
When the trial is ready, the lockdown zone will reach out to a
full kilometer away. There will be mass shifts in foot, road, air, and
rail traffic in and around this zone. Local news media will carry the
latest news.
The NYSkies Seminar on February 3 and 17 was a two-part discussion
on 'Stellar and galactic distances'. They were based on a set of lab
exercises issued by ESA. Four of the set demonstrate different, and
ingenious, methods of assaying distances in the universe.
The audience reviewed the exercises, then split off to discuss
various related topics. Takeaways were excerpts from Tycho's book 'De
stella nova', pictures of Crab Nebula expansion, fact sheets on the
objects used in the ESA books, and nova V838 Monocerotis.
On February 17 NYSkies was notified that its lease for the meeting
hall at St Paul's church can not be renewed. The church is getting
increased demand for its rooms and there were a couple of conflicts
with NYSkies sessions.
NYSkies is looking for a new venue for the Seminar and, thanks to
our supporters, has several potential prospects. We have an interim,
only temporary, location in case we do not secure a new place in time
for the April meetings. Please keep in touch thru the NYSkies
yahoogroup.
Educator Evening at the Hayden Planetarium was to be a science
resource fair for school teachers around the City. It was scheduled
for February 10. NYSkies was as an exhibitor and resource point of
presence. Our fellow astronomers at Amateur Observers Society, Goddard
ISS, Columbia U, Inwood Astronomy, and others were also preparing
eagerly for this show.
On the 9th, with a major snowstorm approaching, the NYC Dept of Ed
declared a school closing on the 10th. With its main audience snatched
away, the Planetarium hit the 'cancel' button. Yes, the snow did come,
about 20cm of it, during the 10th. Educator Evening will be held later
in the year.
The Greenwich Village Antiquarian Book fair ran on February 19-21,
attracting NYSkiers to load up on astro gumbo. they also grabbed up
announcement flyers for later bookfairs, some listed here.
NYSkiers and about 180 others filled CUNY Grad Ctr on the 8th to
hear Dr Marcello Magnasco discuss Homer's eclipse. Did Homer describe
a real solar eclipse in his poem The Odyssey? Maybe yes, but the
question remains: How could he know of an eclipse from some 400 years
earlier than his time?
We shift to Eastern Daylight Savings Tome on Sunday 14 March
02:00. This instant immediately becomes 03:00, so there is no such a
time between 02:00 and 02:59. By now with the new rules every one gt
over it, even if their clocks index the hour by the old rules.
Two major transit facilities shut down for many months starting in
March. The Roosevelt island tram closes for a major rebuilding. The
work at its two stations could interfere with road traffic in their
vicinity. Residents and visitors of the island may use the subway,
local Queens buses, or a shuttle bus to Queens Plaza.
Broadway-Nassau station, IND 8th Av line, closes on weekends for
building the Fulton Street Hub. Besides being the only Lower Manhattan
station on the IND, it is the corridor to change among several lines
passing thru Lower Manhattan. Rides walk on the station's platform to
do their transfers. They must now do an on-street transfer.
GLOBE at Night runs March 3-16 to collect sky transparency data by
standard methods. NYSkies is part of this campaign for the NYC area,
along with several astronomy clubs. Instructions and report form are
at 'www.nyskies.org/temp.htm'.
Earth Hour is an other darksky endeavor, but mainly for calling
attention to greenhouse gases. It's on march 27, Saturday, 20:30-21:30
EDST. One way to reduce emission is to turn off excess electric
devices, including outdoor lighting. NYSkies will collect transparency
data before, during, after Earth Hour.
SIBL, probably unique among libraries of the country, now has
'disturbance days'. These are days when the library will be filled
with audio from certain of its lectures! The sound can be grossly
annoying, so the library suggests nearby branches for quiet reading.
Please leave the Madoff benches in Central Park alone. I
appreciate that many readers really have it in for the fellow and want
to vent their anger against the benches. So far, there seems to be
only minor damage but they are frequently messy from human and pet
toilet functions.
Sky news
------
February was blanketed by snow, good old fashioned snow, 92cm of
it in Central Park as at february 27. Already the City went over the
one-meter total for this winter season with March and even April
capable of adding to the total. It loused up travel and transit,
closed many facilities and services for a day here and then.
A very curious weather pattern came over the City. On the first
clear evening following a snow, the sky was amazingly dark and clear.
Usually with a deck of snow on the ground there is upward reflection
of lights, even downward-facing lights, into the sky. This adds
significant luminous graffiti and transparency is slashed to 3rd
magnitude.
On the 7th, 12th, and 16th, with snow on the ground, stars of 3-
1/2 to 4th magnitude were visible! This could be a situation distinct
from the snow because we had a peculiarly clear evening on the 20th
with no snow on the ground. Then -- with a large crescent Moon! --
transparency was quite 4th to 4-1/2 magnitude. In fact, Coma Berenices
was noticed as an annoying 'cloud' low in the northeast by some
observers. Was it a patch of luminous graffiti? A clump of haze? A
weak aurora? Binoculars broke the mist into the stars of the cluster.
Mars and Vesta continue their dance in Leo. Please keep the
timetables from the February issue to follow their show. While Mars is
much faded from its opposition brilliance, he is still a considerable
star near the meridian after nightfall.
NYSkiers are starting to watch Saturn as he approaches opposition.
he's well up in the east at nightfall. The north side of his rings now
faces us.
Even tho solar activity is at an ebb, there are a few reports from
northern countries of aurorae. Do keep an eye on the northern sky when
outdoors at night. It really helps to know the illuminations in your
own local sky to catch the extra ones from a real aurora.
Last update on 28 February 2010 |
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Copyright 2007, NYSkies Astronomy Inc General inquiries: nyskies@nyskies.org |
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