NYSkies
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NYC EVENTS FOR 2026 FEBRUARY
=========================
John Pazmino
NYSkies Astronomy In+c
www.nyskies.org
nyskies@nyskies.org
The following astronomy activities in the NYSkies region,roughly 100km
radius from Herald Square on Manhattan, are open to the public. A few cultural
items of interest to astronomers are also included.
Altho NYC Events confirms the items, they are subject to change after NYC
Events is issued. Inquire at the event's contact for addiurnate news. Let the
contact know that you learned of its event thru NYC Events.
Frequently asked questions about NYC Events are at 'www.nyskies.org/nyc-
faq.htm'.
Only the current issue is in the web. It is replaced by next month's
issue. You may request previous NYC Events thru 'nyskies@nyskies.org'. These
are archived offline and incorporate corrections refered to our attention
since their issuance.
For events missing NYC Events, check the NYSkies email GROUP at
'nyskies@groups.io'. When ADVISING about a new event deliberately account for
the seven W's: What, Where, When, Who, Wht, Why, hoW, Wow.
Join the nyskies group by sending an empty, blank, email to
nyskies+subscribe@groups.io'. Any text and subject in the email
are ignored.
The email address from where you sent the subscribe is the one you then
after converse with the group. Messages come to you when posted in the group.
Send messages to the group AT 'nyskies@groups.io'.
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 contact.
'adv regn reqd', for 'advance registration required/requested', means that
YOU MUST SIGN 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. Mind
well all instructions in he ticket. skipping or improperly following them may
complicate your admision.
Admission prices are the 'rack rate'. You could qualify for discounts, as
may be offered by the event. Besides the admission price there may be
collateral or optional fees to consider.
CURRENT MONTH CALENDAR
--------------------
Plain dates are in current month;
-, previous month; +, next month.
#, NYSkies Astronomy Seminar, digital sessions at
'www.nyskies.org/av-files/av-files.htm'
Moon phase: .NM., .FQ), (FM), (LQ.
Sunset is given for each Saturday
---------------------------------
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat sunset
--- --- --- -- ---- --- -- --- -
(1) 2 3 4 5 6# 7 17:21
8 (9. 10 11 12 13 14 17:28
15 16 .17. 18 19 20# 21 17:38
22 23 .24) 25 26 27 28 17:46
------- ----------+----------------------------------
All houurs are Eastern Standard Time (UT - 5h).
INDEX OF EVENTS
-------------
* = NASA-JPL Night Sky Network affiliate date = in-person event in 'list of
events' /ection
'0 ' = in-person event in 'ongoing and continuing events' section
'AUT'= event in 'skipped, autumn resumption' section
'SPR' = event in 'skipped, spring resumption' secrion
'???' = event in 'skipped', uncertain resumption or irregular event
------- -----------------------------------------------
BROOKLYN - BK
-------------
Secret Science club - - - ???
telescope borrow progrqm - 0
----------------------
CONNECTICUT - CT
-------------------
*Astro Soc of Gtr Hartford 18
*Astro Soc of New Haven - SPR
Boothe Memorial Astro Soc 6. 20
*Bowman Observatory - - - 4, 18
Litchfield Hills AAC - - 13
*McCarthy Observatory - - 14
New Pond Farm - - - - - 21
Stamford Museum - - - - 6, 13, 20, 27
Van Vleck Obsy (ASGH) - SPR
Van Vleck Obsy (WU) - -- 4, 11, 18, 25
Westport Astro Soc mtg - 17
Westport Astro Soc starvwg 4, 11, 18, 25
---------------------------------------
Astro Soc of Greenwich mtg - greenwichtars@gmail.com, astrogreenwich.org
LONG ISLAND - LI
--------------------
*Amateur Observers Soc mtg 1
*Amat Obsrs Soc starvwing 0
Astro Soc of Long Island - 4, 11, 18, 25
Custer Institute - - -- 7, 14, 21, 28
Hamptons Observatory - - 27
Hofstra Univ Obsy - - - - 1
SUNY Stony Brook Astro - SPR
*Susan Rose Observatory - 7, 14, 21, 28
--------------------------
MANHATTAN - MH
----------------
*Amat Astro Assn starvwg - 0
Ctr for Atmos & Ocean Sci SPR
Ctr for Sci & Soc - - - 0
Columbia Univ Astro - - - 9
CUNY Graduate Center- - - 18, 25 (2 events)
DMV temporary closure - - 13-17
Federal govt shutdwon - - 1
Globe at Night - - - - - 9-18
Govvernors Island - - -- 0
Hayden Planetarium - - - ???
Instt Stud Ancnt World - 3, 17, 23, 25
Intrepid Museum - - - -- SPR
Natl Musm of Mathematics 4
NYC-H2O - - - - - - - - - 0
NYU Astrop & Relatvty - - 3, 10
*NYSkies Astronomy Seminar 6, 20 (digital sessions)
'Path of Liberty' show - ???
Presidents Day - - - - - - 16
'Sanctuary' funding ends - 1
SciCafe' - - - - - - - - 4
Simons Foundation - - - - SPR
Trump Accounts open - - - - 1
Urban Park Rangers - - - 0
--------------------------------------
Central Pk (Top of the Laen) - tags_p@yahoo.com, www.nyskies.org
Amat Astro Assn lecture - 718-522-5014, www.aaa.org
Ctr for Space Sci Edu - info@nyccsse.reading org,
www.nyccsse.org, 212-598-6164
METRO-NORTH - NY
------------------
Bear Mountain - - - - - - - SPR
Mid-Hudson Astro Assn mtg -17
Mid-Hudson A A starvwg - - - 13
Vassar Collee Obsy - - - - 4, 11, 18, 25
Ward Pound Ridge - - - - - SPR
Westchester Amat Astro - - 13
------------------------------
NEW JERSEY - NJ
-----------------
A A A of Princeton - - - - 10
Amat Astro Inc meeting - - 6
Amat Astro Inc lecture - - 20 16
Astro Soc of Toms Rv Area - 13
McDowell Observatory - - - - 4, 11, 18, 25
Morris Museum Astro Soc - - 14
NJ Astro Assn starviewing - SPR
NJ Astro Assn sunviewing - SPR
NW Jersey Amat Astro - - - SPR
North Jersey Astro Group - - 10
Peyton Observatory - - - - ???
Plasma Physics Lab - - - - 7, 14
Portal bridge rebuild - - - 15-Mar 15
Schommer Observatory - - - - 12, 19, 26
Sheep Hill Asro Assn - - - - ???
*Utd Astro Clubs of NJ - - -SPR
Washington Xing St Pk - - - SPR
-----------------------------------------
S*T*A*R - www.starastronomy.org, s-walters@comcast.net
*Raritan Vy Co Coll Plm - www2.raritanval.edu/planetarium
QUEENS - QN
---------------
York College ObserVatory - - 11
REST OF WORLD
---------------
STATEN ISLAND - SI
---------------------
CSI Astrop Obsy - - - - - - 2, 9, 16, 23
THE BRONX - BX
---------------
==============================================
ONGOING AND CONTINDUING EVENTS
-----------------------------
all day - Brooklyn Publ Liby - BK - telescope borrow program
Library lends out telesopes.3-week borrow time, no renewing. Pick up
and return at Grand Army Plaza branch. scope is Celestron StarSense
Explorer 102mm refractor, altaz mount. telescope@!bklunlibrary.org
www.bbklynlibrary/branches/central/telescope,
all day - Governors Island - MH - cultural shows
HOURS VARY BY SEASON; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Open all year! Walk and tour thru former military base and \
new urban park. Shows vary each day or visit by foot or bike.
Ferries run every 40 min from Battery Marine Terml, MH. On
weekdays also from Pier 6, BK; and Atlantic Basin, BK. Island
is free but ferry fare is $3 RT. Adv regn reqd, no at-door
tkts. www.nps.gov/gois, www.govisland.com
00:01 - whole City - potential Obamacare cost hike
Obamacare providded 5-yr temporary premium abarement in 2020 to ease
costburden during coronavirus wpisode. The abatementexpires on 2025
Dec 31. Unless Obamacare offers alternate moderation of premiums,
expect premiums to swell, perhaps doubling, starring on 2026 Jan 1. As
at issue date there is no action in this matter.
allday - 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 Island - LI - clearsky starviewing
VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Amat Obsrs Soc. Sessions convene in parks usually at dusk.
Occasional daytime sunviewing. Free. Cancelled for clouds.
www.aosny.org, suerose@optonline.net
all day - Columbia Univ - MH - Ctr for Sci and Soc lecture
VARIOUS LOCATIONS, DATES, TIMES; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Fayerweather Hal..Free, adv regn reqd. 212-853-1612
scienceandsociety@columbia.edu, cienceandsociety.columbia.edu
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 or free, adv 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
718-522-5014, www.aaa.org
LIST OF EVENTS
------------- Aun 1 Feb
00:00 - whole City - MH - Trump Accounts opens
New tax-exempt Federal savings accounts open for enrolment.
Parent/guardian of babies born from 2025 Jan 1 to2028 Dec 31 set up
account thru IRS Form 4547. Child at 18 YO gets full account,
interest for own use then after. On 2026 Jul 4 US Govt puts $1,000
seed into each account and any one may then add to it from prizes,
ernings, gifts. Baby must be valid US citizn with soSec number. He
gets annual reports of account activity but may not withdraw until 18
YO. www.irs.gov/Form4547 and your finance advissor.
00:00 - whole City - MH - Ferdertal govt shutdown
Current US govt spending authority, passed in Nov 2025, expiress on
2026 Jan 30. US HOR passed new spending bill on Jan 22 but as at
issue date it sits in US Senate. Without new authority in force
govt ops close on Jan 31, like they did on 2025 Oct 1. That
shutdown lasted thru Nov 12. Most public servics will suspend.
Certain ones may continue. Check with your Federal program
office for addiurnate service news.
00:01 - whole City - MH 'sanctuary' support ends
US plans to suspend assorted Federal funding that aid and abet
'sanctuary' activity in states and towns. All of NYSkies is affectedy
because NY, NJ, CT subscribe to 'sanctuary' concepts. Move follows
rising state/town actions that oppose or violate Feeral jurisdiction.
Discuss potential service mds with your program office.
13:30 - Uniondale - LI - Amat Obsrs Soc meeting
Hofstra University,Berliner Hall, Rm 117. Free,
www.aosny.org, suerose@optonline.net
19:30 - Uniondale - LI - clear starviewing
Hofstra University,Berliner Hall, Rm 117. Free,
adv regn reqd. Cancelled for clouds. 516-463-2759
www.hofstra.edu/starsonsunday,
Mon 2 Feb
20:30 - Coll of Staten Is - SI - clearsky starviewing
MEETS ONLY DURING CLASSES; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Every night Mon-Thu. Astrop Obsy, 2800 Vistory Bv, Willowbrook SI.
Free, cancelled for clouds. WWW.csi.cuny.edu, 718-982-2000.
Tue 3 Feb
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/events.htm
17:30 - Instt Stud Anct World - MH - cultural lecture
15 E 84 St, Masison & 5 Av. Various topics on history and
culture of ancient societies. Free, adv regn reqd.
isaw.nyu.edu, isaw@nyu.edu, 212-992-7800,
Wed 4 Feb
16:00 - Natl Musm of Mathematics - MH - scienceshow
Also 19:00. 'Mathematical Encounters'. Free, adv regn
reqd. www.momath.org, 212-542-0566
19:00 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - SciCafe' social
Enter at 77 St, follow ushers to event hall. Discuss various
science topics with Musm sceintists. Re reshments and drinks.
Free, adv regn reqd. For 21+ YO. Have fedl/state photo ID.
212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs
19:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of Greenwich. Curtis Elem Schl, .a Obsy. Free.
Cancelled for clouds. greenwichstars@gmail.com,
astrogreenwich.org
19:00 - Lyndhurst - NJ - clearsky starviewing
תת MccDowell Observatory, 2 DeKorte Pk Pz. Free.
www.njsea.com/observatory, 201-460-4001
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing
Westport Astro soc. Westport Obsy. Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
20:00 Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting
CERTAIN MEETINGS ARE ONLY ONLINE; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Vanderbilt Plm. Free. asliastronomy@yahoo.com,
www.asliclub.org
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing
MEETS ONLY DURING CLASSES; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Wesleyan U, Van Vleck Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds.
860-685-3664, www.wesleyan.edu/astro/events
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing
MEETS ONLY DURING CLASSES; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Vassar College, Observatory. Free. Cancelled for clouds.
physicsandastronomy.vassar.edu/observatory.html,
845-437-7340 end
fri 6 Feb
18:30 - McBurney Houall - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
SEMINARS ARE OFFERED AS DOWNLOAD AUDIO-VIDEO FILES AT
'www.nyskies.org/av-files/av-files.htm'.
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 r
19:00 - Coluubia University - MH - astronomy lecture
Pupin Hall, follow signs to room. Insdoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.astro.columbia.edu/content/outreach,
212-854-3278, 212-854-3257
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture
MEETS ON CERTAIN FRIDAYS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Stamford Muum & Natr Ctr. Live planetarium show and talk. $14
musm adm. Obsy itself is closed. www.stamfordmuseum.org,
203.977.652,
20:00 - Srattford - CT - Boohge Meml Astro Soc mtg
Boothe Memorial Pk, Museum. Free. 203-375-9675
sites.google.com/view/bmas-ct/home,
friendsofboothepk@gmail.com
20:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc - meeting
Union Commty Coll, Sperry Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky
Sat 7 Feb
09:00 - Princeton - NJ - science lecture
Plasma Physics Lab. Various topics related to PPPL work.
Free,. Have state/fedl photo ID for campus security.
www.pppl.gov/events/science-saturday
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting
Custer Instt. Indoor program, clearsky starviewing. $5-$15.
Varies with program. www.custerobservatory.org,
president@custerobservatory.com, 631-765-2626
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
Mon 9 Feb
20:00 - whole CIty - MH - Globe at Night
NYSkies runs its Globe at Night exercise this season while Orion is in
sky at nighfall. Same method and procedure as for prior years for
documenting sky transparency over City. Dates this year ar:
----------------
2025 Nov 11-20
2025 Dec 10-19
2026 Jan 10-19
2026 Feb 9-18
2026 Mar 10-19
--------------------
20:30 - Coll of Staten Is - SI - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 2
Tue 10 Feb
14:00 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Feb 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
20:30 - Upper Montclair - NJ - No Jersey Astro Gp meeting
Montclair St Univ, Ctr Enviro & Life Sci. Free.
njastro.org, 732-255-0343 g
Wed 11 Feb
19:00 - Lyndhurst - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 4
19:330 - 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,
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing- see Feb 4
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 4
20:00 Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Feb 4
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 4
Thu 12 Fen
20:30 - Piscataway - NJ - clearssky starviewing
Rutgers Univ, Schommer Obsy. Free. Cancelled for clouds.
732-205-0020 , www.physics.rutgers.edu/ast/ast-serin.html
Fri 13 Feb
00:01 - whole City - MH - DMV temporary closure
Thru Feb 17. Dept of Motor Vehicles offices thruout NYS close to allow
replacing and upgrading computer systems. Servics resume on 18th.
Appointments
and deadlines during the xlosure can be rescheduled to later dates.
dmv.ny.gov
17:30 - Lk Taghkanic St Pk - NY - clearsky starviewing
M6d Hudson Astro Assn. West Beach parking lot. Free, ,
cancelled for clouds. Free, adv regn reqd.
www.mhaa.nidhudsonastro.org
19:00 - Toms River - NJ - Astro Soc of Toms Rv Area meeting
Ocean Cnty Coll, Building #13. Free.
www.astra-nj.com, webmaster@astra-nj.or
19:30 - Pleasantville - NY - Westchester Amat Astro meeting
Pace Univ, Wilcox Hall, Free.
www.westchesterastronomers.org,
waa-president@wes
19:30 - Torrington - CT - Litchfield Hills A A C meeting
Five Points Arts Cttr. Free.lhaacsec@gmail.com, lhastro.org
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture - see Feb 6
Sat 14 Feb Morristown - NJ - Morris Museum Astro Soc meeting
Morris Museum. Free adv regn reqd. 973-386-1848
www.morrismuseum.org/astro-society, info@morrismusem.org,
ckkrish@gmail.com, www.mmastrosociety.org
20:00 - New Milford - CT - astronomy lecture
NcCarthy Obsy, New Milford HS. indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.mccarthyobservatory.org, 860-354-1595,
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting - see Feb 7
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 7
Sun 15 Feb
00:01 - NJT & Amtrak - NJ - Portal bridge rebuild
Thru Mar 15. Portal bridge near Kearny NJ begins rebuild for added
rail capacity. Track shifting reduces thruput to ~1 /2. New schedss
for NJT & Amtrak. Extra and new bus service to POA. New track layout
will about double current thruput as part of Gateway project.
Mon 16 Feb
all day - whole City - MH - Presidents Day
Please check with event contact for session falling on this
day by rule or ediurnate schedule
20:30 - Coll of Staten Is - SI - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 2
Tue 17 Feb
17:30 - Instt Stud Anct World - MH - cultural lecture - see Feb 3
20:00 - Westport - CT - Westport Astro soc meeting- see Oct 1
Westport Obsy. Free. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
203-227-0925
20:00 - New Paltz - NY - M6d3H udson Astro Assn mtg
SUNY New Paltz, CSB Audm. Free.
www.mhaa.nidhudsonastro.org
Wed 18 Feb
18:30 - CUNY Graduate Center - MH - cultural lecture
365 5 Av & 34 St. Various history and culture topics elated
New York City. Free, adv regn reqd. 212-817-7000
www.gc.cuny.edu/publicprograms
19:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 4
19:00 - Lyndhurst - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 4
19:30 - Rocky Hill - CT - Astro Soc of Gtr Hartford meeting
Rocky Hill Commty Ctr, Rn 1C,761 Old Main St. Free asgh.org
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing- see Feb 4
20:00 Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Feb 4
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 4
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 4
Thu 19 Feb
20:30 - Piscataway - NJ - clearssky starviewing - see Feb 12
Fri 20 Feb
18:30 - McBurney Houall - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
SEMINARS ARE OFFERED AS DOWNLOAD AUDIO-VIDEO FILES AT
'www.nyskies.org/av-files/av-files.htm'.
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 r
20:00 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc lecture
Union Commty Coll, Roy Smith audm. indoor talk, clearsky
starvireing. free. www.asterism.org
20:00 - Srattford - CT - Boohhe Meml Astro Soc mtg - see Feb 6
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture - see Feb 6
Sat 21 Feb
18:30 - West Reqding - CT - astronomy lecture
New Pond Farm, obseratory. outdoor clearsky starviewing.
$10, adv regn reqd, cancelled for clouds. www.newpondfarm.org
www.newpondfarm.org d 0
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting - see Feb 7
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 7
Mon 23 Feb
17:30 - Instt Stud Anct World - MH - cultural lecture - see Feb 3
20:30 - Coll of Staten Is - SI - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 2
Wed 25 Feb
17:00 - CUNY Graduate Center - MH - cultural lecture - see Feb 18
FIRST OF TWO EENTS TODAY, 2ND IS AT 19H
17:30 - Instt Stud Anct World - MH - cultural lecture - see Feb 3
19:00 - CUNY Graduate Center - MH - cultural lecture - see Feb 18
SECOND OF TWO EVENTS TODAY. 1ST IS AT 17H
19:00 - Lyndhurst - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 4
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing- see Feb 4
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 4
20:00 Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Feb 4
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 4
Thu 26 Feb
20:30 - Piscataway - NJ - clearssky starviewing - see Feb 12
Fri 27 Feb
18:00 - East Hampton -LI - astronomy lecture
Hampatonns Obsy. East Hampton Liby,159 Main St.Indoor talk,
clearsky starviewing. Free, adv regn reqd.
www.hamptonsobservatory.org 11111111111111111111111g. Free.
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture - see Feb 6
Sat 28 Feb
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting - see Feb 7
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 7
EVENTS SKIPPED IN THIS MONTH
--------------------------
EVENT MAY RvESUME AT DIFFERNT PLACE AND TIME
INQUIRE AT EVENT CONTACT
=========================================
[SPPR] SPRING RESUMPTION OF ACTIVITY OR IRREGULQR QCTIVITY
----------------------------------------------------------
14;00 - Vorhees St Pk - NJ - clearsky sunviewing
Robinson Obsy. clearsky sunrviewining.
Free. www.njaa.org, 908-368-8500
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
17:00 - Simons Foundation - MH - scinece lecture
TOPIC IS THE APRIL 8TH SOLAR WCLIPSE
160 5 Av & 21 St. Various topics on physics, astronomy, maths.
Free, adv regn reqd. 646-654-0066,
www.simonsfoundation.org
18:00 - Intrepid Museum - MH - astronomy & movie show
Pier 86 and ship. Exhibits, demos, talks. Clearsky movies
and starviewing. Free. www.intrepidmuseum.org
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
19:30 - Boonton - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Sheep Hill Astro Assn, Sheep Hill Obsy. Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.sheephillastro.org
19:30 - Stony Brook - LI - astronomy lecture
SUNY Stony Brook, Earth & Spc Sci Hall. Indoor lecture,
clearsky starviewing. Free. www.ess.sunysb.edu/astro,
631-632-8100, astro.sunysb.edu
20:00 - Beear Mountain - NY - clearsky starviewing
Rockland Astro Club. Anthony Wayne Rec Pk, picnic field. Free,
cancelled for clouds. www.rocklandastronomy.com
20:00 - Middletown - CT -clearsky starviewing
astro Soc of Gtr Hartf11ord, Wesleyan U, Van Vleck Obsy.
Free. cancelled for clou1ds. asgh.org, 860-872-9069
pparkerrs@cs.com 1111111111111111111111111111111
20:00 - Blairstown - NJ - NW Jersey Amat Astro meeting
Alan Observatory. Indoor talk, clearsky starviewing.
Free, adv regn reqd. www.nwjaa.org, info@nwjaa.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 - 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;30 - Voorhees St Pk - NJ - NJ Astro Assn lecture
Robinson Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky starviewining. Free.
www.njaa.org
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg
UACNJ Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky starviewing. Free.
www.uacnj.org
================================================
;???] UNCERTAIN DATE OR LOW-INTEREST EVENT
------------------------------------------
all day - Freedom Plaza - MH - Path of Liberty exhibit
VARIOUS DATES/HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Thru summer 2026. 41 St & 1 St (Turtle Bay MH, next to UN HQ). Self-
paced walk thru 40 panels, 6m X 12m, playing films & images of
American history and culture. Show commemorates US 250th anniversary.
Free, time tkt, adv regn reqd. pathofliberynyc.com
14:00 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Jan 20
14:00 - Bell House - BK - Secret Science Club meeting
MEETS AT ENSEMBLE STUDIO, 545 W 52 ST, 10/11 AV, $24 ADM
149 7 St, 2/3 Av. (Gowanys Hills) Lecture and music on various
science topics. Free, adv regn reqd.
secretscienceclub.blogspot.com,
19:00 - 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
19:00 - Hayden Planetarium - MH - astronomy lecture
TOPIC IS MANHATTANHENGE FOLLOWED BY CLEARSKY VIEWING
Lecture in 'Live!' or 'Frontiers' series, besides routine SKY
shows. Enter at 81 St/Cntl Pk W, then follow usher.
$15, adv regn reqd. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/calendar
GENERaL NEWS
----------
Be specially careful for attending events during winter sotorm conditions.
The event may be forcibly cancelled. The cancellation may be from the event
itslef or the host facility, like a college or musrum. Inqquire at event's
contact for addiurnate instructions.
Hayden Plm session in Feb is a museum-member star party. Next public
session is in Mar. Its entry is in '???'.
We welcome back coll of SI Obsy with its public starviewings. They
apparently resumed in fall 2025 after coronavirus and retirement of previous
director. Sessions are Mon-Thu during classesm but event is listed undre each
Monday for the whole week. see Feb 2.
'Path of Liberty' show is closed but is still in place for special
events. It may reopen in spring for 250th US anniversary. I moved it to '???'.
several 'SPR' events resumed operations in Feb, more coming in Mar.
AI is still a bit wobbly but is 'learning' fow to interpret my inquiries
for sates, hours, places for events. It on its own uncovered a revived astro
club in Connecticut, which may join u for the March issue.
CITY NEWS
-------
Maayor Mandani took office on Jan 1 00:01 EST in closed City Hall subway
station, not inCiry Hall itself. Constrained space limited service to private
gursts. Station is on loop orturning Lexington Av locals at last stop Brooklyn
Brisge, It is on tight curve ~35m radius and docks 3 cars. It operned in 1904
with rest of inirial subway but closed by ~1915 due to longer trains and
boarding delays on curve..It is NOT the active City Hall station on Broadway
line. iIt is opened occasinally for excursions and railfan trips. During
swearing-in locals switched to express tracks at Brooklyn Bridge and wee
turned at Bowling Gtren.
Verizon suffered blackout of certain wireless services on Han 14. Starting
~09h EST traffic hub in NJ developed server/software malfuction that cut off
customers scattered nationwide. Service was reestored by ~22h and Verizon will
give affected customers a credit on next billing.
NYS Gov jochul on Jan 13 unveiled next phase of 2nd Av subway . It
extends line w in 125St to stops at Lenox Av, St Nicholas Av, Broadway. These
give transfer to, in turn, Lenox Av, 8th Av, Upper Broadway lines. This was
part of 2ne Qv for q qr future build but noe bumps out extension s from 72 St.
Transit promotors note that the Broadway terminal will connect with
prospective rail & ferry dept on Hudson Rv. They ask that turnouts be provided
for a branch from Leno Av to merge into 8th Av line near 135 st. This allows
2nd Av trains to continue uptown to Washington Hts of Concourse lines.
Silly statistic from US HHS: The coIt compiled2025 cunsumption of the
obsesity-fighting drug Ozempic. Zipcode10028, Yorkville MH, had the greatest
usage, surpassing most wntire US towns. Amount, separately estimated, is some
30 kg in indivisual pills
Silly statistic from NYPD: Some 12,000 NYPD team protected the New Years
celebration in Times Sq on 2025 Dec 31..Tis about equalls the entire police
force of Chicago! No adverse vents occurred, not even disorderly conduct.
NYC Dept of Sanittn on Jan 26 fired up new snow melting base. Several
around City receive dumptrucks of snow main from along bus routes. Snow is
piled on lots ~50m x ~00m. It's then moved by payloaders to indoor 'hot
ttubs'. Tub at +4C melts 60-100 ton/hr, Melt water oes into storm eswers.
Mark Anderson posed as FBI agent on Jan 28 at Metroptn Dettn Ctr, Sunset
Pk BK. He claomed to have court papers to release Luigi Mangione, held there
for Dec 2024 shooting of health insurance exec. when jain crew asked for ID
Andrson showed his pwesonal Minnesota drivers licence. A search turned up a
pizza cutter, barbecue fork, and no 'papers'. MDC now has one more resident.
Corp for Publ Broadcasing on Jan 5 voted itself out of business! CPB
supported NPR radio and PBS TB stations. In NYSkies, NPR is on AM 820; PBS,
Ch 13. These freqs could soon be up for sale, much like in 2025 CBS radio sold
its freq, AM 880, to ESPN.
NYC's official trash-bin program may be stalled for lack of bins to sell.
By yearend 2025 residents were asking about bins on order, stores running out
of bins, City's online service shut off. It seems that contract firm to
manufacture the official bins, which are required by June 2026, stopped making
them and could be out of vusiness. City is processing reimbursments for bins
already purchaed, using the voucher sent to residents in fall 2025. For time
being use any solid bin, less that 222 liters, eith secure fitted lid.
Big Beautiful Bill enacted in 2025 removed taxation on certain income,
like tips, social Security, Trump Accounts. Altho these are exempt from
Federal income tax, some states may try to treat them as ordinary taxable
income. In NYSkies noth NY and NJ are studying ways to capture these incomes
and tax them. Discuss your situation with your tax advisorfor the 2025
Federal and state income tax rturns.
~15,000 nurses went on strike on Jan 12 for beter pay, hours, workplace
conditions. They come from Mt Sinai, Montefiore, and NY Presbyterian
hospitals. All three say they have enough reserve nurses to handle patients,
even with higher incidence of dly this season.
Turbo Tax advises that its tac-preparation software requires Windows 11.
It will not install on Windoes 10 or lower. TT explains that since Win10 is no
longer supported it will not risk data leaks from it.It can not count on win10
users to apply the extended security updates thru fall 2026. TT ogers that its
online tax service is unaffected because no data is stored in user's computer.
NYS MTA released ridership data for 2025 on Jan 4. 1.9 billion riders
traveled on its routes, highest since previous peak in 2019 Count include
fluff-up for fare-beaters.
New Years in Times Sq on Jan 1. did TWO ball drops. Firdst was official
New Years ball with multicolored sparkle disign. At bottom of all it lighted
rooftop sign '2026'. Ball was raised, while dark, to top of mast. At 00:04
ttd dropped again with scrolling 'America 250' on red-white-nlue design. Ball
looked like it was rotating. Ball stopped halfway down, stayed there for few
minutes, then shut off. No woed if this was whole scene or a malfunction.
Thousands of New Year Eve spectators were fooled by a fake ad on tikTok. t
announced a fireworks show over Brooklyn Bg, best viewed from Brooklyn
waterfront. Ad pointed out majestic Manh skyyline and sugested arriving at
dusk for a good spot. Crowds cheered during countdown but then nothing
happened. No fireworks. The ad was echoed in several news media, adding to
credible status. Video ad was entirely bogus. Jupiter and Saturn, wiyh Neprune
Several readers noted that as at Jan 1 not only are Metrocards no longer
sold, they no longer can be refilled. The machines thaat sold and refilled MCs
are shut down. You can only deplete the MC to less than one fare -- now $3 --
and either apply residula amount toward an OMNY card or toss it.earlier news
suggested that MC macbines will refill old cards but no seel new ones.
Bogus announcement of New Years fireworks show in Brooklyn was still
treated as rreal by some news media as late as Jan 5! They were writing it off
as a bungled or canelled inauguration event from NYC Maayor Mandani.
Ad was fake video posted in Tik Tok early on Dec 31 and by early Jan 1 was
proved to be phony.
Venezuela dictator Maduuro and wife were arrested in capital Caracas in
owl hours of Jan 3 by US DEA with military backyp! Team busted down barriers
and armed gaurds, eithin an hour captured the pair,. They were flown to
Stewart airport, Newurg NY, then taken to Matroptn Dettn Ctr, Sunset Pk PK.
They were arraigned in S D of NY in Manh, on Jan 5. MadurO was indicted IN
2022 for assorted terrorist and drug activity, but was out of reach as
fugitive until now.
SKY NEWS
------
January 2026 was a poor observing month from the prevalence of cloud or
haze. Days and nights called 'clear' by weather news were slicked with thin
cloud or haze. Globe at Night in NYC was almost a total cloudout, with only
one night of so-so transp. The quadrantids were clouded out and clouds blocked
any chance of seeing aurora during a geostorm alert in mid month. From Jan 24
to end month NYSkies froze under first a blizzard, then days of subzero temps
dipping to -10C or -15C combined with dense ice on roads, rails, and
waterways.
From Dec 28 to end month NYSkies was sweeped by strong winds up to 80 JPH.
They added to chill factor regardless of sun/cloud at the moment Wind damaged
light structures and blew around loose steet furniture. In some parts of
NYSkies trees were downed and electric was cuty.
After a yearish of barring cellphones from school classes, it turns out
that many students do not folloe time. They grew up with digital readout of
time on phones and never learned to decupher analog dial clocks! Students were
skipping schedules,,lagging punctuality, losing flow of rime. Some scoold in
NYSkies set up lessons for, ahem, ho to tell time.
NYSkies fell under a massive snowstorm on Jan 24-26 withstrong wind, dense
dnow, frigid temps. NYC got ~45cm cover in Central Pk erather station, many
parts, mostly N ^ W, of NYSkies got 50-80cm. Frigid temps, -10 C range, turned
snow cover to ice to cripple toad, railm, air travel.General advice from
authorities was to stay in place, no goign out or seiving unless utterly
necessaty. Temp warmed to ~-5c by Jan 27, letting some ice to break up for
easier removal.
'Coast to coast AM' highlighted two astro topics on Dec 29 and 30. On 29th
it discussed interstellar comet ATLAS with features that could lead to idea of
spacecraft sent to explore solar system but are merely behavior found in
conventional comets. On 30th it handled old idea of Nemesis =, a companion
star of sun in binary ststem. It', supposed brown dwarf with own planets, now
came intoobservable reach in 2012. Shows aired on WOR radio, AM 710 in
NYSkies.
Jnear dominates evening sky in witner 2026. Venus creeps out of sup conj
into evenig sky. she stays low thru Feb, then starts to lift into hifgher sky
. This evening apparition is a so-so one with the most interesting phaes
taking place in southern region of ecliptic.
Some readers noted that Full Moon on Jan 3 was a supermoon. It depends on
the proximity limit of Moon against perigee. In extremo all Full Moon
anfularly closer to perigee than to apogee are supermoons.
'Coast to coast AM' radio show, AM 970 in NYSkies, on Jan 20 discussed
geoengineering. Some observers, the program of spraying metal filings and
chemicals into stratosphere to hold back assorted climate changes. beleive is
carried out in NYSkies, with so far this fall-einter had only pale blue or
whitish daytime sky and increased clouds. Dialog noed that several states and
Federal agencies are investigating the program to regulate or stop it.