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NYC EVENTS FOR AUGUST 2008 ------------------------- 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.
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 Daylight Savings Time
Perseid meteor shower
-------------------
In 2008 the annual Perseid meteor shower falls during the
work week, peaking in owl hours of Mon-Tue 11-12. Most astronomy
centers are passing up meteor watches, and some are combining a watch
with a regular stargazing session on the preceding Sun-Mon night
Meteors are best viewed from a clear dry location, away from major
luminous graffiti. They are almost always a poor show from within
179conurbations due to confined sky exposure, closure of most parks at
night, and excess luminous graffiti.
Check with you astronomy center for latest news about a Perseid
watch.
Lunar eclipse
-----------
For some reason, there's a misunderstanding about the lunar
eclipse on August 16th. There IS an eclipse on this date, but not in
the City. The eclipse is all over, in final moments of paenumbral
phase, at local moonrise. I suspect that some folk forgot to adjust
from UT to US timezones?
Index of events
-------------
Dates for events; contact if no events
--------------------------------------
BROOKLYN - BK
Brooklyn Bridge Park - - 6, 7, 14, 21, 28
Coney Island shops - - - 19
0 Floyd Bennett Fd exhibit 1-indef
Floyd Bennett Fd NYSkies www.nyskies.org, nyskies@nyskies.org,
stephenlieber@nyc.rr.com,
Secret Science Club - - - 6
CONNECTICUT - CT
A S of Gtr Hartford - - - www.asgh.org, 860-872-9069,
pparkerrs@cs.com
Astro Soc of Greenwich - rbria@juno.com, 203-896-6786-x338,
www.geocities.com/astrogreenwich
Astro Soc of New Haven - www.asnh.org, prez@asnh.org
Bethany Observatory - - - 22
Boothe Meml Astro Soc - - 1, 15
Bowman Observatory - - - 12, 26
CT Tripoli Rocketry Assn www.ctra-narconn.org, 860-583-1690
Earthplace - - - - - - - 16
Litchfield Hills AAC - - lmaac@hotmail.com,
www.fortunecity.com/victorian/twain/1206/id19.htm .
Mattituck Astro Soc - - - 21
Stamford Observatory - - 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Van Vleck Obsy (ASGH) - - 9
Van Vleck Obsy (WU) 860-685-3664, www.wesleyan.edu/astro/events
Western CT St Univ - - - www.wcsu.edu/starwatch, 203-837-8671,
awsond@wcsu.edu
Westport Astro Soc - - - 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 27, 28
LONG ISLAND - LI
Amat Obsrs Soc - - - - - www.aosny.org, suerose@optonline.net
Astro Soc of Long Is - - 6, 13, 20, 27
Brookhaven Natl Lab - - - 3, 10, 17
Custer Institute - - - - 2, 9, 16, 23, 30,
Hofstra Univ Obsy - - - - 516-463-2759, www.hofstra.edu/Academics,
observatory@hofstra.edu
Innovative Stone Co - - - 1-indef
Montauk Observatory - - - 1
Natl Space Soc-LISS - - - chapters.nss.org/ny/longisland,
trekker724@aol.com
Robert Moses St Pk - - - 1, 2, 29, 30
Science Club of Long Is - www.sciencecluboflongisland.com,
631-421-1523, info@sciencecluboflongisland.com
SUNY Stony Brook - - - - www.ess.sunysb.edu/astro, 631-632-8100,
slutterbie@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Waterfront Park - - - - - 7, 14, 21, 28
MANHATTAN - MH
92nd Street Y - - - - - - www.92y.org, 212-415-5500
AeroBalloon rides - - - - 1-22
Amer Mus Natl Hist - - - 1-2009 spring
Battery-Marine building - 1, 2, 3
Cafe' Science - - - - - - 11
Cafe' Scientifique - - - www.sciencecafenyc.org,
sglick@sciencecafenyc.org
Central Park - - - - - - 1
Columbia Univ Obsy - - - 8, 22
Columbia Univ Astro - - - 212-854-3278,
www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach
Cornelia St cafe' - - - - www.corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319
Courant Institute - - - - caos.cims.nyu.edu, shafer@cims.nyu.edu
CUNY Graduate Center - - 212-817-8215, web.gc.cuny.edu/cepp,
continuinged@gc.cuny.edu,
Earth Institute - - - - - sop@ei.columbia.edu,
www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu,
Goddard Inst for Spc Std www.giss.nasa.gov, 212-678-5540,
pformosa@giss.nasa.gov
Governors Island lecture 2
Governors Island tour - - 6, 7,
Governors Island visit - 1, 2, 3
Hayden Planetarium - - - 5, 6, 13, 20, 26, 27
Imagine Science Films - - 28
Inst Strings, Cosmology - www.iscap.columbia.edu
IRT subway tour - - - - - 2
IRT subway service delays 1-indef
Jupiter's 3 red spots - - 1-indef
Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT subways 5-indef, 6-indef
Natl Space Soc-NYC - - - 7, 21
New York Univ Astro - - - physics,nyu.edu/cgi-bin/astro,
dgsphys@nyu.edu, 212-998-7706
New York Univ Physics - - physics,nyu.edu, dgsphys@nyu.edu,
212-998-7706
NoHo Gallery - - - - - - 5-23
NY Academy of Sciences - www.nyas.org, 212-838-0230
NYSkies Astro Seminar - - 7, 21
Physics Club of NY - - - jdepalma@nyc.rr.com
Rockefeller University - 212-327-8000, www.rockefeller.edu,
pubinfo@rockefeller.edu
Sci Ind Biz Liby - - - - 212-592-7000, www.nypl.org/research/sibl
Sony WOndertech Lab - - - 23, 30
South Street Seaport - - 1-indef, 3, 30
Summer Streets - - - - - 9, 16, 23
Surveillance camera tour scp@notbored.org, 212-561-0106,
www.notbored.org/the-scp.html,
Top of the Lawn - - - - - 1
Urban Park Rangers - - - 1
Waterfalls exhibit - - - 1-Oct 13
Whitney Museum - - - - - 1-Sep 21
NEW JERSEY - NJ
A A A of Princeton - - - www.princetonastronomy.org, 609-737-2575,
drexparker@aol.com
A S of Toms Rv Area - - - 8
Amat Astro Inc - - - - - 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Buehler-Columbia AAA - - 2, 9, 16, 23
Dark Sky Observers - - - www.users.nac.net/gburke/club
Inst for Advd Study - - - www.astro.princeton.edu/events.htm,
wserber@astro.princeton.edu
Liberty Science Center - 201-200-1000,
marine.rutgers.edu/outreach/pulsetalks,
Metra Rocketry Assn - - - 2
Montclair Telescope Club 973-948-5284, bischoff@garden.net,
users.erols.com/njastro/orgs/mtc.hrm
Morris Mus Astro Soc - - 14
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 - - 23
North Jersey Astro Gp - - 973-655-7266, mwest@pegasus.montclair.edu
Ocean County Coll - - - - 732-255-0343,
www.ocean.edu/campus/planetarium,
Passaic Co Astro Assn - - 14
Princeton Univ Astro - - wserber@astro.princeton.edu
www.astro.princeton.edu/events.htm,
Princeton Univ Obsy - - - www.astro.princeton.edu/events.htm,
wserber@astro.princeton.edu
Rutgers Univ Astro - - - 732-445-3974,
www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium
S*T*A*R - - - - - - - - - www.starastronomy.org,
s-walters@comcast.net
Schommer Observatory - - 14, 28
Sheep Hill Astro Assn - - 3
Sheep Hill Observatory - 15
Skyland Stargazers - - - skylandstargazers.tripod.com
Utd Astro Clubs of NJ - - 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Washington Xing Pk - - - 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
QUEENS - QN
Alley Pond Park - - - - - 9
NY Hall of Science - - - 718-699-0005, www.nyscience.org
York College - - - - - - york.cuny.edu/observatory, 718-262-2082,
paglione@york.cuny.edu
REST OF WORLD Conjunction starparty - - 29-31 Stellafane convention - - 1-3 Summer Star Party - - - - 1-3 STATEN ISLAND - SI
Belmar boycott - - - - - 1-indef
College of Staten Is - - 718-982-2818, robbins@mail.csi.cuny.edu,
supernova7.apsc.csi.cuny.edu
Great Kills Park - - - - 9
SI Community TV - - - - - 4
SI Yankees discounts - - 1
THE BRONX - BX East 180th St shops - - - 10 UPSTATE - NY
Andrus Planetarium - - - 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Anthony Wayne Rec Area - 29
Catskills Astro Club - - 2, 30
Lamont-Doherty Obsy - - - 4
Lwr Hudson Vy Challgr Ctr 17
Mid-Hudson Astro Assn - - 19
Rockland Astronomy Club - 201-768-3298,
webnaster@rocklandastronomy.com, www.rocklandastronomy.com
Swinging Bridge dam - - - 1-indef
Vassar College Obsy - - - 845-437-7340
physicsandastronomy.vassar.edu/observatory.html
Ward Pound Ridge - - - - 2
Westchester Amat Astro - www.westchesterastronomers.org,
info@westchesterastronomers.org
Wilcox Park - - - - - - - 29
Monthly Calendar
--------------
Plain dates are in current month; minus, last month;
plus, next month.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
-27 -28 -29 -30 -31 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6
General notes
-----------
'whole City' means the event has no specific or dedicated place.
It may be enjoyed from everywhere in the NYSkies territory or at a
number of individual places. Celestial events are typicly 'whole City'
events.
'all day' means the event is continuous or repeating during the
open hours of the host facility. Some facilities may have limited
hours per day or days per week. Check with the sponsor's contacts.
Prices, for admission or ticket, cited are the 'rack rate'. You
may qualify for discounts as may be offered by the sponsor and there
may be optional extra fees to consider.
List of events ------------ Fri 1 Aug
XX:XX - whole City - MH - cultural tours & lectures
VARIOUS PLACES, DATE, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
Urban Park Rangers. Tours of parks, lanmdmarks, surrounds.
Lecutres on history and culture of NYC. Program varies each
month. Free. www.nyc.gov/parks
all day - SI Yankees - SI - all-you-can-eat discount tickets
Thru whole 2008 season. Home games are $15 each with ALL
FOOD & SOFT DRINK FREE during games! Package of 7 games for
$105 adds free ticket to NY Yankees game at Yankee Stadium.
www.siyanks.com, 718-720-9265
all day - whole City - MH - IRT sybway delays
Indefinite duration. All lines of IRT system began suffering
from excessive delays in service during Jul 2008. Mostly due
to severe overcrowding. Please allow extra tiem for IRT
portion of travel. www.mta.info.
all day - South Street Seaport - MH - Bodies exhibit
CHILDREN SHOULD OBTAIN ADULT GUIDANCE FOR THIS EVENT!
Indefinite duration. 11 Fulton St. About 30 human cadavers,
some intact, some dissected and laid out for inspection of
organs. $27.50 adm. www.southstreetseaport.com
all day - Hauppauge - LI - Freedom Tower cornerstone exhibit
Indefinite duration. Innovative Stone Company, show yard.
Actual 20-ton granite inscribed block for Freedom Tower
cornerstone, placed in tower's foundation on 4 July 2004.
Removed for safekeeping until construction can resume. Free.
all day - Central Park - MH - AeroBalloon rides
Thru Fri 22 Aug. Cherry Hill nr Bethesda Fountn. Ride helium
tethered balloon to 90m elev for 10-min view of park and
surrounds. $25 tkt, cancelled for strong rain or wind.
www.aeroballoon.com, 646-827-6287,
all day - whole boro - SI - Belmar boycott show
Indefinite duration. Verbal war between Staten Island and
Belmar NJ about summer visitors to that town from SI.
Fluency in Italian is a plus to follow the show. Please
visit other Jersey Shore towns instead. Free, bridge tools
extra. www.belmarboycott.com.
all day - Amer Mus Natl Hist - MH - astronomy exhibit
Thru 2009 spring. IMAX Corridor. 'Saturn, a new view' with
Cassini images of planet, rings, mooons. Free with Mus adm.
www.amnh.org/programs, 212-769-5100
all day - Floyd Bennett Field - BK - Concord SST exhibit
PLANE'S NOSE WAS KNOCKED OFF 30 JUNE 2008 BY SERVICE TRUCK!
Indefinite duration. Concord SST, last surviving specimen,
donated by British Airways. Final flight was Heathrow to
JFK, barge to Intrepid Mus, then barge to FBF. Free.
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 - Jupiter's three red spots
Great Red Spot transits, adapted from S&T website. TIMES ARE
UT! You MUST adjust them for local timezone. Check for local
horizon and daylight constraints. They are based on GRS lon
of 121d (System II). Little Red Spot and Red Spot 3 are next
to GRS and are in view with it for ~2h bef/aft transit.
----------------------------------------------------------------
August 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1, 1:45 11:41 21:36 2, 7:32 17:27 3, 3:23 13:19 23:14
4, 9:10 19:06 5, 5:01 14:57 6, 0:53 10:48 20:44
7, 6:39 16:35 8, 2:31 12:26 22:22 9, 8:18 18:13
10, 4:09 14:05 11, 0:00 9:56 19:52 12, 5:47 15:43
13, 1:39 11:34 21:30 14, 7:25 17:21 15, 3:17 13:12 23:08
16, 9:04 18:59 17, 4:55 14:51 18, 0:46 10:42 20:38
19, 6:33 16:29 20, 2:25 12:20 22:16 21, 8:12 18:08
22, 4:03 13:59 23:55 23, 9:50 19:46 24, 5:42 15:37
25, 1:33 11:29 21:24 26, 7:20 17:16 27, 3:11 13:07 23:03
28, 8:58 18:54 29, 4:50 14:46 30, 0:41 10:37 20:33
31, 6:28 16:24
--------------
all day - whole City - MH - Waterfalls exhibit
Thru Oct 13. Four lattice gantries on East River, 30ish
meters tall, as artificial waterfalls. Located at
----------------------------------------------------------------
Pier 5, Brooklyn Heights BK Brooklyn Br pier, Fulton Ferry BK
Pier 25, Lower East Side MH north shore, Governors Island MH
----------------------------------------------------------------
Free. www.newyorkcitywaterfalls.com,
all day - Whitney Museum - MH - science exhibit
Yhru 21 Sep. 'Buckminster Fuller: starting with the
universe' on futurism and urban design. $15 mus adm.
www.whitney.org, 212-674-5300
08:01 - Springfield - VT - Stellafane convention
Thru Sun 3 Aug. Springfield Telscope Makers. Breezy Hill.
Talks, demos, swop tables, food svc, lodging, camping, dark
skies, tourism, compos. $20 + extras, regn via website
preferred. www.stellafane.com,
00:01 - Savoy - MA - Summer Star Party
Thru Sun 3 Aug. Rockland Astro Club. Shady Pines camp.
Talks, demos, swop tables, prizes, food svc, lodging,
camping, dark skies, tourism, compos. $55 + extras,
www.rocklandastronomy.com/events/SSP, 845-446-4336,
SummerStarParty@rocklandastronomy.com
18:00 - Montauk - LI - astronomy lecture
OCCASIONAL SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
Montauk Obsy, Montauk Publ Liby. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.montaukobservatory.com
10:00 - Governors Island - MH - cultural visit
Every Friday. Natl Pk Svc. General public visit on former
military base. Free, Ferry leaves Battery-Marine depot,
South Fy MH, hourly 10:00-17:00. 212-825-3045,
www.nps.gov/gois
12:00 - Battery Marine Bdg - MH - Playing the Building exhibit
Every Friday. Thru Aug 22. West flank entrance. Visito-
operated console uses building's pipes and girders play
music. Free, sign waiver. www.davidbyrne.com/art
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show
Andrus Plm. 19:00 show is free, sponsored by FujiFilm USA
Inc. Free, different topics each Friday. www.hrm.org,
914-963-4550
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting
Union Co Coll, Sperry Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asterism.org
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing
Stamford Obsy. $3 adm, cancelled for clouds.
www.stamfordmuseum.org, cescovil@earthlink.net, 203-322-6537
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing
MOST CLEAR NIGHTS; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
Top of the Lawn. North side of Great Lawn. Free, cancelled
for clouds. tags_p@yahoo.com
20:00 - Wash'n Xing S P - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Amst Astro Assn of Princeton. Simpson Obsy. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.princetonastronomy.org, 609-737-2575,
drexparker@aol.com
20:00 - Stratford - CT - Boothe Meml Astro Soc mtg
Boothe Meml Pk, Obsy. Free. www.bmas.org, info@bmas.org
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
Sat 2 Aug
all day - Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT - MH - subway reconstruction
Every Saturday. Indefinite duration. Many Lwr Manh and
Bklyn Downtown subways are under major work at various
hours. Check posters and flyers for your routes.
www.mta.info/nyct/service/lower_manh cccc
10:00 - Grand Central - MH - IRT subway tour
NY Transit Musm. Lv Grd Cntl sta, IRT 42nd St shuttle.
Ride 'Train of many colors' on various IRT lines in Manh,
Bklyn, the bx. Lunch stop in Van Cortlandt Pk. $30, advd
regn reqd. 718-694-1867.
10:00 - Governors Island - MH - cultural visit
Every Saturday. Natl Pk Svc. General public visit on former
military base. Free, Ferry leaves Battery-Marine depot,
South Fy MH, hourly 10:00-17:00. 212-825-3045,
www.nps.gov/gois
12:00 - Governors Island - MH - science lecture
Every Saturday thru Aug 30, Pershing Hall. Various topics on
geophysics and climatology in NYC. Take 12:00 ferry from
Battery Marine Terminal. Lecture starts at 12:30. Free.
212-650-3456, www.hunter.cuny.edu/news/events.shtml
cmolnar@hunter.cuny.edu,
12:00 - Battery Marine Bdg - MH - Playing the Building exhibit
Every Saturday. Thru Aug 23. West flank entrance. Visito-
operated console uses building's pipes and girders to play
music. Free, sign waiver. www.davidbyrne.com/art
19:30 - Riverdale - NJ - Metra Rocketry Assn meeting
PLACE NOT SET YET; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
Zeppelin Hobby store. Free. metrarocketclub.org,
973-831-7717
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg
UACNJ Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky starviewing. Free.
www.uacnj.org
20:00 - Liberty - NY - clearsky starviewing
Catskills Astro Club. Walnut Mountain Pk. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.catskillsastro.org, kocis@verizon.net.
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting
Custer Instt. Free. www.custerobservatory.org,
bvanson@aol.com
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
20:30 - Ward Pound Ridge - NY - clearsky starviewing
Westchester Amat Astro. Meadows Picnic Area. Free, cancelled
for clouds. info@westchesterastronomers.org
www.westchesterastronomers.org,
21:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture
Bergen Commty Coll, Buehler Obsy. Free.
www.bergen.edu/buehler, ropstbaum@bergen.edu.
Sun 3 Aug
all day - Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT - MH - subway reconstruction
Every Sunday. Indefinite duration. Many Lwr Manh and
Bklyn Downtown subways are under major work at various
hours. Check posters and flyers for your routes.
www.mta.info/nyct/service/lower_manh cccc
10:00 - Upton - LI - science show
Brookhaven Natnl Lab. Open house demos, tals, exhibits,
tours, features different each session. Free. www.bnl.gov,
631-344-8000
10:00 - Governors Island - MH - cultural visit
Every Sunday. Natl Pk Svc. General public visit on former
military base. Free, Ferry leaves Battery-Marine depot,
South Fy MH, hourly 10:00-17:00. 212-825-3045,
www.nps.gov/gois
12:00 - Battery Marine Bdg - MH - Playing the Building exhibit
Every Sunday. Thru Aug 24. West flank entrance. Visito-
operated console uses building's pipes and girders to play
music. Free, sign waiver. www.davidbyrne.com/art
19:00 - South Street Seaport - MH - science tour
Every Sun thru 17 Aug. NY Water Taxi, Pier 17. Ride thru
ecology and hydrology of New York harbor. $25 tkt, adv regn
reqd. www.nywatertaxi.com, 212-742-1969
19:30 - Boonton - NJ - Sheep Hill Astro Assn meeting
Boonton Town Hall. Free. www.uacnj.org/clubs/shaa.htm,
ajmonka@att.net
Mon 4 Aug
13:00 - Palidades - NY - science lecture
Lamont-Doherty Earth Obsy, Geochem Bdg. 'Black carbon in
arctic snow and its effect on surface albedo'. Free.
845-365-8634. www.ldeo.columbia.edu,
jsmerdon@ldeo.columbia.edu
19:30 - SI Community TV - SI - science show
100 Cable Way, Mariners Hr SI. Live audience, televised on
SI cable. Free. www.sictv.org, 718-727-1414
Tue 5 Aug
all day - NoHo Galley - MH - cultural exhibit
Thru Sat 23 Aug. 530 W 25 St. 'Harmony of elements'
paintings inspired by celestial and natural forces. Free.
www.nohogallery.com, 212-367-7063
18:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Virtual Universe
Live skyshow of computer graphics and astro databases.
$15 adm. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs
Wed 6 Aug
10:00 - Governors Island - MH - cultural tour
Every Wednesday, also 13:00. Natl Pk Svc. Walk thru history
and culture of former military base. Free, Ferry leaves
10:00 and 13:00 from Battery-Marine depot, South Fy MH.
212-825-3045, www.nps.gov/gois
18:00 - Brooklyn Bridge Pk - BK - science show
Secret Sci Club. Tabacco Warehouse, Main & Plymouth Sts.
Cryogenic music and magic. Free 718-638-4400,
secretscienceclub.blogspot.com,
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon
Live skyshow of rocket trip to the Moon. $17, incl mus adm.
212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs
20:00 - Union Hall - BK - Secret Science Club meeting
MEETS AT 20:00, NOT 19:30, COME FROM BKLYN BG PK
707 Union St & 5 Av. Lecture and music on various science
topics. Free. secretscienceclub.blogspot.com, 718-638-4400,
www.unionhallny.com/events
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing
Westport Astro Soc. Rolnick Obsy. Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting
Vanderbilt Plm. Free. www.asliclub.org, info@asliclub.org
Thu 7 Aug
10:00 - Governors Island - MH - cultural tour
Every Thursday, also 13:00. Natl Pk Svc. Walk thru history
and culture of former military base. Free, Ferry leaves
10:00 and 13:00 from Battery-Marine depot, South Fy MH.
212-825-3045, www.nps.gov/gois
18:00 - Brooklyn Bridge Pk - BK - Movie with a View show
Thru Thu 28 Aug. SciFi Channel. Main & Plymouth Sts nr
Fulton Ferry. Live music til dusk, sci-fi movies in
twilight/night. 4 Dobson scopes for visitors to play with!
Free. www.brooklynbridgepark.org,
19:00 - St Paul's Lutheran Ch - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
TOPIC: WHAT TIME IS IT ON MARS?
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
TOPIC: WHAT TIME IS IT ON MARS?
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
20:00 - Freeport - LI - clearsky starviewing
Amat Obsrs Soc. Waterfront Park, Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.aosny.org, suerose@optonline.net
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 6
Fri 8 Aug
19:00 - Toms River - NJ - Astro Soc of Toms Rv Area mtg
Ocean Co Coll, College Ctr, Cafeteria. Free.
www.astra-nj.org, 732-255-0343, webmaster@astra-nj.org
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Aug 1
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Aug 1
20:00 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture
Pupin Hall, 14th floor & roof. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach,
212-854-3278, outreach-admin@astro.columbia.edu
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see aug 1
20:00 - Wash'n Xing S P - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
Sat 9 Aug
07:00 - Manh east side - MH - Summer Streets
Also 16 & 23 Aug. 11Km from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Pk
closed to motor traffic 07h-13h. Human traffic (foot, bike,
skate) only. Lafayette St, 4 Av, Park Av S, Park Av, 72 St.
Free. www.nyc.gov/SummerStreets
20:00 - Alley Pond Pk - QN - astronomy lecture
Alley Pond Enviro Ctr. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. $12 fee. www.allwypond.com, 718-229-4000
20:00 - Great Kills Pk - SI - clearsky starviewing
RISK OF RADIOACTIVITY HAZARD; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
Natl Pk Svc. Enter from Hylan Bv to model flying field.
Free, cancelled for clouds. www.nps.gov/gate, 718-987-6790
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg - see Aug 2
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Aug 2
21:00 - 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
21:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Aug 2
Sun 10 Aug
10:00 - Upton - LI - science show - see Aug 3
11:00 - East 180th St shops - BX - cultural tour
NY Transit Musm. Tour subway repair & maintenance facility,
Demos, talks. Bring lunch for picnic. Wear fitted shows and
clothes! $25, advd regn reqd.718-694-1867
Mon 11 Aug
17:30 - PicNic cafe' - MH - Cafe' Science lecture
2665 Broadway & 101 St. Supper/chat with Columbia Univ
profs. $10 fee, incl 1 drink, + own meal. 212-222-8222,
alumni.columbia.edu/learn/s3_6.html,
cafescience@columbia.edu
21:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of Greenwich. Julian Curtis Elem Schl, Bowman
Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. rbria@juno.com,
www.geocities.com/astrogreenwich, 203-896-6786-x338
Wed 13 Aug
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon - see Aug 6
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 6
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Aug 6
Thu 14 Aug
18:00 - Brooklyn Bridge Pk - BK - Movie with a View - see Aug 7
19:30 - Morristown - NJ - Morris Mus Astro Soc mtg
Morris Museum. Free. 973-386-1848, tedbarker-JDCO@att.net,
www.morrismuseum.org/static/education/astronomical.html
19:30 - Rifle Camp Park - NJ - Passaic Co Astro Assn meeting
Nature Center. Free. www.users.nac.net/gburke/PCAA,
973-523-0024
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 6
20:00 - Freeport - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 7
21:00 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Rutgers Univ, Schommer Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds.
732-205-0020, www.physics.rutgers.edu/ast/ast-serin.html
pryor@physics.rutgers.edu
Fri 15 Aug
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Aug 1
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Aug 1
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see aug 1
20:00 - Stratford - CT - Boothe Meml Astro Soc mtg - see Aug 1
20:00 - Wash'n Xing S P - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
20:30 - Boonton - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Sheep Hill Astro Assn obsy, Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.uacnj.org/clubs/shaa.htm, ajmonka@att.net
Sat 16 Aug
07:00 - Manh east side - MH - Summer Streets - see Aug 9
10:00 - Westport - CT - science show
Earthplace, 10 Woodside La. 'Ice age day', talks, demos,
exhibits on Ice Ages of Conecticut. $7 adm. 203-227-7253,
www.earthplace.org, info@earthplace.org
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Aug 2
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg - see Aug 2
21:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Aug 2
Sun 17 Aug
10:00 - Upton - LI - science show - see Aug 3
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.
Tue 19 Aug
18:00 - Coney Island shops - BK - cultural tour
NY Transit Musm. Tour subway repair & maintenance facility.
Demos, talks. Wear fitted shows and clothes! $25, advd regn
reqd.718-694-1867
19:30 - New Paltz - NY - Mid Hudson Astro Assn meeting
SUNY New Paltz, Coykendall Audm. Free.
mhaa.whodeanie.com, 845-485-5669, trankin@hvc.rr.com
20:00 - Westport - CT - Westport Astro Soc meeting
Rolnick Obsy. Free. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
Wed 20 Aug
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon - see Aug 6
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 6
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Aug 9
Thu 21 Aug
18:00 - Brooklyn Bridge Pk - BK - Movie with a View - see Aug 7
19:00 - St Paul's Luthrn Ch - MH - NYSkies Astro Semnr
TOPIC: LIVING OFF THE LAND IN SPACE
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
TOPIC: LIVING OFF THE LAND IN SPACE
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 Fri - 20 Jun
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 6
20:00 - Freeport - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 7
Fri 22 Aug
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Aug 1
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Aug 1
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 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see aug 1
20:00 - Wash'n Xing S P - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
20:00 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Aug 8
Sat 23 Aug
07:00 - Manh east side - MH - Summer Streets - see Aug 9
12:00 - Sony Wondertach Lab - MH - science workshop
55 St & Madison Av. 'Magnetic motion', explore magnetism,
build small electric motor. $7 fee. 212-833-7858,
www.sonywondertechlab.com,
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg - see Aug 2
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Aug 2
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
21:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Aug 2
Tue 26 Aug
18:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Celestial Highlights
Live skyshow of current evening sky. $15 adm.
212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs
21:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 12
Wed 27 Aug
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon - see Aug 6
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 6
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Aug 6
Thu 28 Aug
18:00 - Brooklyn Bridge Pk - BK - Movie with a View - see Aug 7
19:00 - Kenny's Castaways - MH - Imagine Science Films show
FEE NOT SET YET; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
157 Bleecker St. Mixer, clips of new movies applying
science concepts and facts. food & drink. 212-298-3725,
www.imaginesciencefilms.com, info@imaginesciencefilms.com
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 6
20:00 - Freeport - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 7
21:00 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 14
Fri 29 Aug
18:00 - Northfield - MA - Conjunction starparty
Thru Sun 31 Aug. Northfield Mt Enviro Ctr. Dark skies,
demos, talks, food svc, campg, lodgg, prizes. $15 +
extras. www.philharrington.net/astroconjunction,
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Aug 1
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Aug 1
20:00 - A Wayne Rec Area - NY - clearsky starviewing
Rockland Astro Club. Exit 17, Palisades IS Py. Free,
cancelled for clouds. webnaster@rocklandastronomy.com,
www.rocklandastronomy.com, 201-768-3298,
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see aug 1
20:00 - Wash'n Xing S P - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
20:30 - Wilcox Pk - NY - clearsky starviewing
Mid Hudson Astro Assn. Free, cancelled for clouds
mhaa.whodeanie.com. 845-485-5669, trankin@hvc.cc.com
Sat 30 Aug
12:00 - South Street Seaport - MH - cultural workshop
SSS Mueum. 'Unearthing New York' explore and examine urban
archaeological relics of City. Free with musm adm.
212-748-8786, www.southstseaport.org
12:00 - Sony Wondertach Lab - MH - science workshop - see Aug 23
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Aug 2
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg - see Aug 2
20:00 - Liberty - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 2
20:00 - R Moses St Pk - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Aug 1
General news
----------
NYC Events welcomes two new members. Passaic County Astronomical
Association meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month (not the 3rd, as
its outdated website states). Montclair Telescope Club seems to have
irregular sessions, but takes inquiries about its activities in
telescope and instrument making.
New Jersey North chapter of National Space Society reports that is
holds no regular meetings, but gives public presentations thruout
north Jersey. Inquire at contacts for upcoming events or to request a
show for your own group.
Columbia University's summer astronomy lectures in August start at
20:00, not 20:30. 20:30 was a bit late for most readers and it made
the lecture eat into the late twilight, when clearsky starviewing
would begin. (There were few clear nights so far this summer!). If the
lectures were at, say, 19:30, they could last an hour, have a ///
break, and begin the starviewing at 21:00.
Astronomical Society of Long island moved its meetings to
Vanderbilt Planetarium, after a month's trial run in June 2008. Hours
are still all Wednesdays at 20:30. There is no longer a separate entry
for Vanderbilt, except for its own special event.
The Concorde SST on display at Floyd Bennett Field had its nose
knocked off on June 30th! A service truck at ~03h carrying equipment
from a soccer game at nearby Aviation Sports Center rammed the plane.
A 2-meter chunk is now missing, but will be replaced before plane is
returned to Intrepid pier later this year.
One cultural event, SciFi Film, which began on July 10, has four
Dobson scopes for its visitors to play with! Some NYSkiers and other
local astronomers may be on hand to help operate the instruments. See
August 7th entry.
This month's NYC Events is heavy with cultural activities! The
ones listed are the barest sip from the cornucopia of happenings in
NYSkies land in summer months. I pick out the 'Wow-whee!' ones for
you. NYC events doesn't try to capture anything like a good selection
of cultural events. It if did, you'll need a whole CD to hold NYC
Events.
Please note that our web address is 'www.nyskies.org'. There is an
other website, www.nyskies.com, that has no connection at all with
NYSkies. It's apparently a private person's page for miscellaneous
astronomy comments. NYSkies called this site's attention to possible
mixup and asked it to insert a link to us.
Event news
--------
May 2008 closed with a full-house audience hearing Robert
Zimmerman explain the ins and outs of Hubble Space Telescope. He was
at the Explorers Club before about 120 visitors, including several
NYSkiers. NYSkies furnished handouts about the electromagnetic
spectrum and benefit/malefit of putting observatories in space.
The NYSkies Seminar on July 2rd bantered about asteroids, mainly
the Main Belt stones. Topics shifted among asteroid families, Earth-
threats, and asteroid observing. The July 17th session covered natural
causes of climate change. Some wer astronomy factors with the earth's
orbit and solar radiation output. Others are volcanos and asteroid
collisions.
Two exhibits, running for some time already, were called to my
attention for NYC Events. 'Playing the building' is a musical exhibit
requiring the visitor to operate it. Head for the Battery Marine
building, as if going to Governors island. Enter thru the west flank
of the edifice, next to the Staten Island ferry depot, not thru the
north entry for the Governors Island ferry. After signing a waiver,
because the rooms you pass thru are decayed and unimproved, you emerge
into a huge hall furnished with a small console.
Sit at the console and press a key. The building sings! From the
back of the console, that of a old organ, air hoses rise up to the
beams, pipes, and columns of the building. They trip mechanisms that,
blow into, vibrate, rap the metal elements to play the notes! The
exhibit is free and open on Friday-Sunday, separately from the casual
visits to Governors Island.
The 'Freedom Tower cornerstone' exhibit is one of the more
revolting shows I heard of, yet it is there to, uh, look at. Go to
the tombstone show yard of Innovative Stone Company, Hauppauge LI .
There in the open is the very 20-ton granite block inscribed for the
Freedom Tower of World Trade Center! It was placed in the tower's
foundation on July 4th of 2004, four years ago. When construction
faltered, it was moved back to Long Island for safe keeping.
Innovative donated the work to honor victims of the WTC collapse, but
now must hold on to it until further instructions.
An interstate scrap erupted on July 4th when Mayor Pringle of
Belmar, New Jersey, began trashing out visitors from Staten Island.
One thing went to an other, such that Staten Island applied sanctions
against Belmar thru a general boycott. It also threatened to send a
militia to the town to capture Pringle and put him on display at the
island's president palace! This I count as a 'cultural show' that you
can, erm, enjoy the the news media. See August 1st.
Early July was All-Star mania in the City. NYSkiers following
baseball were totally ga-ga during the week's runup to the game at
Yankee Stadium on July 15th. The game went to 15 innings, a record for
the All-Star Game. American League won, 4-3.
There was the parade of Hall-of-Famers and All-Stars in 6th Av in
the afternoon, complete with a red carpet laid in the street. And
there were the 42 miniature Statues of Liberty plopped all over
Manhattan to represent all of the baseball teams. They were painted in
each teams colors, with ones for the former NY Giants and Brooklyn
Dodgers.
In mid July, NYC Transit advised that its IRT lines (those with
numbered services) is under tress from overcrowding, causing ongoing
delays in service. Ridership continues to grow under push of green
living and high cost of personal travel. Allow extra time for the IRT
portion of your travels.
Governors Island and its ferry station now have some restrooms. A
new pair is in the depot's waiting room. On the island, they are
fixed-up restrooms in the old army buildings here and there. Also as
an new convenience, the waiting room offers ponchos in case you're
caught in rain on the island!
The Summer Star party and Stellafane continue thru August 3rd this
year, with their usual strong attendance. The Conjunction starparty
runs in Northfield, Massachusetts, in late august.
August 5 opens an art exhibit in Chelsea that includes NYSkies
supporter C Bangs. She's wife of Prof Matloff, who speaks at our
August 21st Seminar. The pieces are inspied by forces of nature and
the cosmos. The gallery is next to the High Line, a must-see 'art
piece'in itself, soon to be an elevated park.
There are three transit shows in August, a rides on a nostalgic
train and two tours of the subway shops. The ride is on the 'train of
many colors, a technicolor string of coaches to cruise the IRT lines
on August 2nd. On the 10th is the tour of East 180th St shops in the
Bronx while the 19th has one for the Coney Island shops in Brooklyn.
I have a couple tips for the shop tours. You BETTER wear fitted
shoes and clothes! Flip-flops, sandals, shawls, [real] blouses, open
jackets, scarfs & ties are OUT. The facilities are functioning busy
places, like a factory. They are NOT cleaned up for an open house.
Please OBEY the guide's instructions. Stay within marked paths and
behind barriers. Keep hold of children and DON'T let them run around.
Expect lots of walking and stair climbing.
An other ride for you in August is in a balloon over Central Park!
AeroBalloon flies its helium tethered globe for 10-minute 90-meter
ascents for views of the Park and surrounds. Show celebrates Park's
150th birthday. Ride is cancelled for wind or rain. See August 1.
For a walk, or other human-powered means of getting around, Summer
Streets debuts in New York on Saturdays, the 9th, 16th, and 23rd. An
11 kilometer stretch of Manhattan street is closed to motor traffic.
It's not really a fair or bazaar, but a motor-free midway to walk,
skate, bike up and down the island. There being little provision for
exhibits, there is no NYSkies booth.
Both NYSkies Seminars in August have speical speakers! On the 7th
we hear Dr Allison discuss timekeeping and calendars on Mars. The 21st
has, as noted above, Prof Matloff to explore natural resources in
space that future travelers may avail of.
Conjunction starparty closes out the month on August 29-31 in
Northfield, Massachusetts. It's in the recreation section of the
Northfield Mountain power plant, which you may tour while there. See
August 29.
Sky news
------
July was raked by several torrid waves, pushing heat, humidity,
haze to the upper limits. No outdoor astronomy was feasible but the
two NYSkies Seminars convened in cooler indoor comfort. A few clear
nights were interspersed among the cloudy and hazy ones, allowing a
good view of the Manhattan Stonehenge sunset. July 8th, the first day,
was cloudy. The other days presented a brilliant Sun sinking down in
the line of Manhattan's east-west streets.
We lost most of the Mars-Saturn-Regulus show due to clouds.
Inspecting Jupiter's three red spots was severely impeded by clouds,
with only a couple clear sightings of them.
Rain, from major thunderstorms, fell over the City on many days
and nights. On occasion, even tho the night was clear for stargazing,
an afternoon rain made the ground and landscape too wet and muddy for
most astronomers to put up with.
Last update on 30 July 2008 |
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Copyright 2007, NYSkies Astronomy Inc General inquiries: nyskies@nyskies.org |
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