NYSkies
Astronomy Inc |
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NYC EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY 2019
---------------------------
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
tems of special importance to City astronomers are also included.
Altho NYC Events confirms the listed items, they are subject to
change by their sponsors. Check with their contacts. Let the sponsor
know that you learned of its event thru NYC Events.
Frequently asked questions and explanation of NYC Events is at
'www.nyskies.org/nyc-faq.htm'.
You may ask for previous NYC Events thru 'nyskies@nyskies.org'
because only the current issue is in the website. It is replaced by
next month's issue.
For events which missed NYC Events, check the NYSkies Yahoogroup
forum. Join NYSkies by visiting 'www.nyskies.org/yahoo.htm' and
picking either the email or website option.
All hours are Eastern Standard Time (UT - 5h).
General notes
----------- /
'whole City' means the event has no specific or dedicated place.
It may be enjoyed from the whole NYSkies territory or at a number of
individual places. Celestial events are typicly 'whole City' events.
'all day' means the event is continuous or repeating during the
open hours of the host facility. Facilities may have limited hours per
day or days per week. Check with the event contacts.
'adv regn reqd',for 'advance registration required/requested'
means that the event requires or requests signing up before the event.
You must have your ticket in hand at the gate. There could be a
deadline some days before the event, after which no more signups are
accepted. Check with the event contact for specifics.
Prices cited are the 'rack rate'. You could qualify for discounts
As may be offered by the sponsor. Besides the base price there may be
noptional extra fees to consider.
Current Month calendar
--------------------
Plain dates are in current month;
-, previous month; +, next month.
#, NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
Moon phase: .NM., .FQ), (FM), (LQ.
Sunset is noted for each Saturday
---------------------------------
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat sunset
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- -----
-(27. -28 -29 -30 -31 1# 2 17:15
3 .4. 5 6 7 8 9 17:23
10 11 .12) 13 14 15# 16 17:32
17 18 (19) 20 21 22 23 17:40
24 25 (26. 27 28 +1# +2 17:48
------------------------------------------------
Index of Events
-------------
* = NASA-JPL Night Sky Network affiliate
Date = entry in 'list of events' section
'0' = entry in 'ongoing and continuing events' section
'S/O',= entry in 'skipped, Sep/Oct resumption' section
'M/A' = entry in 'skipped, Mar/Apr resumption' secrion // '???' =
entry in 'skipped, uncertain resumption' seciton
------- -----------------------------------------------
BROOKLYN - BK
Canarsie line closings - 0
*Floyd Bennett Field - - - SPR
Secret Science Club - - - 0
CONNECTICUT - CT
*A S of Gtr Hartford - - 20
Astro Soc of Greenwich - 3
*Astro Soc of New Haven - 26
Bowman Observatory - - - 6, 20
*Litchfield Hills AAC mtg 8
*Litchfield Hills starvg - 22
*McCarthy Observatory - 9
New Pond Farm - - - - - - ???
Stamford Observatory - - 1, 8, 15, 22
*Van Vleck Obsy (ASGH) - - 16
Van Vleck Obsy (WU) - - - 6, 13, 20, 27
Western CT St Univ Obsy - SPR
*Westport Astro Soc mtg - 19
*Westport Astro Soc starvg 6, 13, 20, 27
-------------------------
Boothe Meml Astro Soc - 203-377-9933,
www.facebook.com/Boothe-Memorial-Astronomical-Society
LONG ISLAND - LI
*Amateur Observers Soc - - 3
*Amat Obsrs Soc starviewing 0
Amer Instt Aero & Astro - 21
Astro Soc of Long Island 6, 13, 20, 27
Brookhaven National Lab - ???
Custer Institute - - - - 2, 9, 16, 23
Hofstra Univ Obsy - - - - 3
Montauk Observatory - - - ???
SUNY Stony Brook - - - - 1
*Susan Rose Observatory - 2, 9, 16, 23
MANHATTAN - MH
*Amat Astro Assn starvwg - 0
*Amat Astro Assn lecture 8
Amer Instt Archarology - 27
Ctr for Atmosp Ocean Sci 13
Ctr for Science & Society ???
Central Pk (Great Lawn) - 1,2,3,8,9,10,15,16,17,22,23,24
*Columbia Univ Obsy - - - 1, 15
Cornelia Street Cafe' - SPR
Earth Institute - - - - - ???
Globe at Night - - - - - 1-5, 27-Mar 7
Good Housekeeping lab - 8
Greenwich Vg bookfair - - 16-17
Gullivarr's Gate- - - - - 0
Instt Stud Ancnt World - 5, 12, 19, 26
Intrepid AstroCafe' - - - SPR
Intrepid Astro Night - - SPR
*Inwood Astronomy Project 2, 9, 16, 23
Metro Engg Soc Council - 12
Natl Musm of Mathematics 6
NY Academy of Sciences - SPR
NYC-H2O - - - - - - - - - 0
NY History of Science - - ???
New York Map Society - - SPR
New York Univ Astro - - - 5, 12, 19, 26
*NYSkies Astronomy Seminar 1, 15
Presidents Day - - - - - 18
SciCafe' - - - - - - - - 6
Simons Foundation - - - - 27
Top of the Lawn - - - - - 1,2,3,8,9,10,15,16,17,22,23,24
TriState computer fair - 0
Urban Park Rangers - - - 0
WTC station closings - - 0 ---------------------------
Ctr for Space Sci Edu - - info@nyccsse.org, www.nyccsse.org,
212-608-6164 n
METRO-NORTH - NY
Lamont-Doherty Obsy - - - 8
Mid-Hudson Astro Assn - - ???
Ramapo Challenger Ctr - - 17
Rockland Astro Club - - - ???
Vassar College Obsy - - - 6, 13, 20, 27
Ward Pound Ridge - - - - SPR
Westchester Amat Astro - 1
NEW JERSEY - NJ
A A A of Princeton - - - 12
*Amat Astro Inc meeting - 1, 8, 22 C *Amat Astro Inc lecture -15
A S of Toms Rv Area - - - ???
Morris Musm Astro Soc - - 14
New Jersey Astro Assn - - SPR
North Bergen Viaduct - - 0
No Jersey Astro Gp mtg - 13
No Jersey Astro Gp starvg SPR
Peyton Observarory - - - ???
Plasma Physics Lab - - 1, 15
Rutgers Univ Astro Collqm 6, 13, 20, 27
Rutgers Univ Astro Semnr 7, 14, 21, 28
*S*T*A*R - - - - - - - - - 7
Schommer Observatory - - 14, 28
*Sheep Hill Astro Assn - - 1
*Sheep Hill Observatory - 15
*Utd Astro Clubs of NJ - - SPR
Washington Xing St Pk - - SPR
WTC station closings - - 0
---------------------------
Dark Sky Observers - www.users.nac.net/gburke/club
McDowell Obsy - mec.rst2.edu, 201-460-8300
Montclair Telescope Club - 973-948-5284,,
users.erols.com/njastro/orgs/mtc.htm
NW Jersey Amat Astro - www.nwjaa.org, info@nwjaa.org
Passaic Co Astro Assn - www.users.nac.net/gburke/PCAA, 973-523-0024
*Raritan Vy Co Coll Plm - www2.raritanval.edu/planetarium
Skyland Stargazers - skylandstargazers.tripod.com
QUEENS - QN
Alley Pond Park - - - - - SPR
York College Observatory 13
REST OF WORLD
STATEN ISLAND - SI
Coll of Staten Is Obsy - SPR
Great Kills Park - - - - SPR
Staten Is Community TV - 1, 8, 15, 22
THE BRONX - BX
=============================
Ongoing and continuing events
--------------------------qall day - H&M ETC sline - MH - ETC
station closings
Thru late 2020. World Trade Center station closes every
weekend to repair tunnels under Hudson River ruined by
hurricane
sandy. Station closes at 00h on each Saturday, reopens at 05h
on
following Monday. WTC-bound trains turn at Exchange Pl
station.For service to WTC, use 33 St line to connect to NYC
subways. www.panynj.gov qall day - H&M ETC sline - NJ - ETC
station closings
Thru late 2020. World Trade Center station closes every
weekend to repair tunnels under Hudson River ruined by
hurricane
sandy. Station closes at 00h on each Saturday, reopens at 05h
on
following Monday. WTC-bound trains turn at Exchange Pl
station.For service to WTC, use 33 St line to connect to NYC
subways. www.panynj.gov
all day - North Brgen Viaduct - NJ - road closings and rebuild
Thru end 2020. One lane in each direction is closed during
major rebuild of viaduct on NJ495 between NJ Tpk and Lincoln
Tnl. Buses have priority on remaining lanes. On-off ramps for
local street close from time to time. www.restorenj495.com
all day - Canarsie line - BK - occasional weekend shutdown
CERTAIN WEEKENDS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Thru March 2019. Canarsie line closes on about a dozen
specific weekends for preliminary work in advance of total
shutdown in april 2019. No service bten Bway Jc and 8th Av
from 22h Fri to 05h Mon. Trains run only Canarrsie to B'eay
Jc. WEekends may change based on work progress. www.mta.info.
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 - whole City - MH - cultural tour
VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND TIMES; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
NYC-H2O. Walk, bike, ride thru history and culture of NYC
muwater system facilities and natural waterways in and near
the City. Events are pay orfree, adn regn reqd. Bike tours
need own bike. www.nych2o.org,
matt@nych2o.org
all day - whole City - MH - clearsky starviewing
VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Amat Astro Assn. Sessions convene in parks usually at dusk.
Occasional daytime sunviewing. Free. Cancelled for clouds.
president@aaa.org, 718-522-5014, www.aaa.org
all day - whole City - MH - clearsky starviewing
VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Jupiter Joe's Sidewalk Astronomy. Sessions convene in parks
usually at dusk. Occasional daytime sunviewing. Free. `
Cancelled for clouds. www.jupiterjoesastronomy.org,
jupiyerjoesastronomy@gmail.com
all day - Gullivaer's Gate - MH - cultural exhibit
indef duration. 216 W 44 St, 7/8 Av. Opened in mid April 2017
for preview. Miniature models of landmarks and important
structures from around the world. Rooms arranged by quarter of
world and for New York City. $36, timed ticket, adv regn reqd.
Optional cost for stereopint of visitor into figurine placed
at desired item in exhibit. www.gulliversgate.com.
all day - whole City - MH - cultural tours & lectures
VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Urban Park Rangers. Tours of parks, landmarks, nabes, hoods.
Lectures on history and culture of NYC. Program varies each
month. Free. www.nyc.gov/parks
10:00 - whole City - MH - Tri-State Computer Fair
VARIOUS LOCATIONS, GENERALLY ON SUNDAYS
Source of computer systems, software, components, accessories.
$7. www.tri-statefairs.com, 718-227-5586
20:00 - Bell House - BK - Secret Science Club meeting
OCCASIONAL SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
149 7 St, 2/3 Av. Lecture and music on various science
topics. Free. secretscienceclub.blogspot.com, 718-638-4400,
list of Events
------------
Fri 1 Feb
10:00 - Princeton - NJ - science tour
Plasma Physics Lab. Walk thru history and culture of fproject
to capture energy from controled hydrogen fusion. Free, adv
regn reqd. Have GI photo ID for campus security.
www.pppl.gov/events
18:30 - McBurney House - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
DISCUSSION: ECLIPSE REPORTS, SKY DIRECTIONS & ORIENTATION
125 W 14 St, 6/7 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show
& tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies
territory. Free. nyskies@nyskies.org, www.nyskies.org
19:0:0 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture
Pupin Hall, signs to lecture room. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. outreach-admin@astro.columbia.edu,
www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach, 212-854-3278
19:00 - whole CIty - MH - Globe at Night exercise
Thru Feb 5. NYSkies runs its own Globe at Night exercise in
19:30 - Boonton - NJ - Sheep Hill Astro Assn meeting
Boonton Senior Ctr. Free. www.sheephillastro.org,
contacts@sheephillastro.org, wwestura@optonline.net
19:30 - Staten Is Community TV - SI - science show
100 Cable Way, Mariners Hr SI. 'Geology forum' Live audience,
seating at 19:30, on air at 20:00. Free. www.sictv.org,
718-727-1414
19:30 - 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 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting
Union Co Coll, Sperry Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asterism.org
2018-2019 while Orion is in sky at nighfall. Same method and
procedure as for prior years for documenting sky transparency
over City. Details at www.nyskies.org/gannyc.htm.
19:30 - Pleasantville - NY - Westchester Amat Astro meeting
Pace Univ, Lienhard Hall, Free.
www.westchesterastronomers.org,
waa-president@westchesterastronomers.org
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture
Stamford Obsy. $5. Indoor lecture, clearsky starviewing.
203-322-6537, www.stamfordmuseum.org
info@stamfordmuseum.org
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
Sat 2 Feb
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting
OCCASIONAL EXTRA EVENTS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Custer Instt. Indoor program, clearsky starviewing. $5-$15.
Varies with program. www.custerobservatory.org,
president@custerobservatory.org, 631-765-2626
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing
Amat Obsrs Soc. capus of Custer Institt. Sessions concurrent
with Custer's own events. Free, cancelled for clouds.
www.aosny.org, suerose@optonline.net
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH cleasky starviewing
OCCASIONAL EXTRA SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Inwood Astronomy Project. Meet at park entrance, Seaman Av
& Isham St. Free. Cancelled for clouds. 917-529-2359
www.inwoodastronomy.org, asonskendall@gmail.com
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 1
Sun 3 Feb
13:15 - Uniondale - LI - Amat Obsrs Soc meeting.
Hofstra Univ, Berliner Hall. Free. www.aosny.org,
suerose@optonline.net
15:30 - Greenwich - CT - Astro Soc of Greenwich meeting
Greenwich Public Library. Free with musm adm.
rickbria@optonline.net, 203-415-6762, astrogreenwich.org
18:00 - Uniondale - LI - clearsky starviewing
Hofstra University,Berliner Bdg, Rm 117. Free,
adv regn reqd. Cancelled for clouds. 516-463-2759,
www.hofstra.edu/Academics, observatory@hofstra.edu
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 1
Tue 5 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
18:00 - Inst Stud Anc World - MH - cultural lecture
15 E 84 St, 5/Madison Av. Various topics on history and
culture of ancient civilizations.. Free, adv regn reqd.
isaw..nyu.edu isaw@nyu.edu, 212-992-7842
Wed 6 Feb
10:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
Colloquium series. Rutgers Univ, Busch Campus, Astro & Phys
Lectr Hall. Free. www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium, /
732-445-3974
16:00 - Natl Musm of Mathematics - MH - science show
Also 19:00. 'Mathematical Encounters'. Free, adv regn
reqd. 212-542-0566, www.momath.org, info@momath.org
19:00 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - SciCafe' show
Hall of Ocean Life or hall of planet Earth. Music, drinks,
chat with Museum scientists. Free, be 21 or be gone. GI photo
ID reqd. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs
19:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of Greenwich. Curtis Elem Schl, Bowman Obsy. Free.
Cancelled for clouds. rickbria@optonline.net, 203-415-6762. ,
astrogreenwich.org
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing
MEETS EVERY WEDNESDAY ONLY DURING CLASSES; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Wesleyan U, Van Vleck Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds.
860-685-3664, www.wesleyan.edu/astro/events
20:00 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting
Vanderbilt Plm. Free. asliastronomy@yahoo.com,
www.asliclub.org
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing
Westport Astro Soc. Rolnick Obsy. Free. Cancelled for clouds.
www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing
MEETS EVERY WEDNESDAY ONLY DURING CLASSES; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Vassar College, Observatory. Free. Cancelled for clouds.
physicsandastronomy.vassar.edu/observatory.html,
845-437-7340
Thu 7 Feb
13:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
Seminar series. Rutgers Univ, Serin 401. Free. 732-445-3974,
www.physics.rutgers.edu/ast/seminar
20:00 - Lincroft - NJ - S*T*A*R meeting
Brookdale Commty Coll, Mommouth Museum. Free.
www.starastronomy.org, s-walters@comcast.net
Fri 8 Feb
10:00 - Good Housekeeping Resrch Instt - MH - science tour
Also 11:30. Hearst Tower, 57 St & 8 Av. Walk thru history and
science of product testing center of Good Housekeeping
magazine. Free, adv regn reqd. 212-649-5000,
ghritours@hearst.com
15:30 - Palisades - NY - science lecture
Lamont-Doherty Earth Obsy, Comer Bldg. Various topics in
geophysics and earth science. Free, 845-365-8634,
www.ldeo.columbia.edu, suzana@ldeo.columbia.edu,
18:15 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - Amat Astro Assn lecture
Kaufmann Theater. Free, no musm adm fee. 718-522-5014,
president@aaa.org, www.aaa.org
19:30 - Torrington - CT - Litchfield Hills Amat Astro Club mtg
Central Congregational Church. Free.
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Feb 1
19:30 - Staten Is Community TV - SI - science show - see Feb 1
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture - see Feb 1
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 1
Sat 9 Feb
20:00 - New Milford - CT - astronomy lecture
McCarthy Obsy, New Miford HS. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.mccarthyobservatory.org, 860-354-1595,
mccarthyobservatory@gmail.com
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 2
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH cleasky starviewing - see Feb 2
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting see feb 2
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 1
Sun 10 Feb
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 1
Tue 12 Feb
14:00 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Fen 5
18:00 - Inst Stud Anc World - MH - cultural lecture - see Feb 5
19:00 - DC37 HQ - NH - science lecture
Metro Engg Soc Council. 125 Barclay St. "US nuclear industry
response to Fukishima'. Free. Opt $50 dinner at 17:30.
www.mescnyc.org, info@mescnyc.org
19:30 - Princeton - NJ - Amat Astro Assn of Princeton meeting
Princeton U, Peyton Hall. Free. www.princetonastronomy.org,
609-737-2575, info@princetonastronomy.org
Wed 13 Feb
10:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Feb 6
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
19:30 - 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 - Upper Montclair - NJ - No Jersey Astro Gp meeting
Montclair St Univ, Richardson Hall, Room 232. Free.
njastro.org, 973-655-7266
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 6/
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 6
20:00 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Feb 6
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing see Feb 6
Thu 14 Feb
13:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - dee Feb 7/
19:30 - Morristown - NJ - Morris Museum Astro Soc meeting
Morris Museum. Free. 973-386-1848, 973-386-1848,,
www.morrismuseum.org/astro-society, info@morrismusem.org,
ckkrish@gmail.com
20:30 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewng
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 Feb
10:00 - Princeton - NJ - science tour - see Feb 1
18:30 - McBurney House - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
DISCUSSION: THE HERTZSPRUNG-RUSSELL DIAGRAM
125 W 14 St, 6/7 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show
& tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies
territory. Free. nyskies@nyskies.org, www.nyskies.org
19:0:0 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture -see Febb 1
19:30 - New Brittain - CT - Astro Soc of Gtr Hartford meeting
Central CT St Univ, Copernicus Plm. Free. www.asgh.org,
860-872-9069, pparkerrs@cs.com
19:30 - Staten Is Community TV - SI - science show - see Feb 1
20:00 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc lecture
Union Co Coll, Smith Audm. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asterism.org
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture - see Feb 1
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 1
20:30 - Boonton - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Sheep Hill Astro Assn Obsy, Free. Cancelled for
clouds. sheephillastro.otg, contacts@sheephillastro.org,
wwestura@optonline.net
Sat 16 Feb
11:00 - P S 3 - MH - Greenwich Village Antqn Book Fair
Thru Sun 17 Feb. 490 Hudson St & Christopher St. Deep source
for astronomy books, maps, prints, posters. $15, 2-day tkt.
www.ps3nyc.org/bookfair.htm, www.gvabookfair.org,
gvabookfair@gmail.com, 516-657-6212
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,
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting see feb 2
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH cleasky starviewing - see Feb 2
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 1
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 2
Sun 17 Feb
14:00 - Airmont - NY - science show
Ramapo Challenger Ctr, 225 Rt 29. Multimedia
imulation of space missions. $20., director@lhvcc.com,
845-257-3416, ramapoparks#ramapo.org,
www.ramapoparks.org,
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 1
Mon 18 Feb
all day - whole City - MH -Presidents Day
Please check with event contact for session falling on this
day by rule or outdated schedule
Tue 19 Feb
14:00 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Fen 5
18:00 - Inst Stud Anc World - MH - cultural lecture - see Feb 5
20:00 - Westport - CT - Westport Astro Soc meeting
Rolnick Obsy. Free. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
Wed 20 Feb
10:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Feb 6
19:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 6
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 6
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 6
20:00 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Feb 6
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing see Feb 6
Thu 21 Feb
13:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - dee Feb 7/
18:30 - bethpage - LI - Amer Instt Aero & Astro lecture
Bethpage Public Library. Various topics in
aeronautics and astronautics. 'Nars sample return missiOn'.
Free, optional $5 pizza-soda. 516-458-8593, davidparis@twc.com
Fri 22 Feb
19:00 - Litchfield - CT - Litchfield Hills A A C lecture
White Meml Consrvn Ctr. Free. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. lhaacsec@gmail.com, lhastro.org
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Feb 1
19:30 - Staten Is Community TV - SI - science show - see Feb 1
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture - see Feb 1
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 1
Sat 23 Feb
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH cleasky starviewing - see Feb 2
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting see feb 2
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 2
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 1
Sun 24 Feb
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 1
Tue 26 feb
14:00 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Fen 5
18:00 - Inst Stud Anc World - MH - cultural lecture - see Feb 5
19:30 - 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 27 Feb
10:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - see Feb 6
17:00 - Simons Foundation - MH - scinece lecture
160 5 Av & 21 St. 'Learning to count in string theory''.
Free, adv regn reqd. 646-654-0066,
ww.simonsfoundation.org
18:30 -Hunter College - MH - Amer Instt Archaeolgy lecture
46 E 70 St. Various topics on archaeology and anthropology.
Free, adv regn reqd. www.aia-nysociety.org,
info@aia-bysociety.org
98:00 - whole CIty - MH - Globe at Night exercise
Thru mar 7. NYSkies runs its own Globe at Night exercise in
2018-2019 while Orion is in sky at nighfall. Same method and
procedure as for prior years for documenting sky transparency
over City. Details at www.nyskies.org/gannyc.htm .
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see 6 Feb
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Feb 6
20:00 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Feb 6
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing see Feb 6
Thu 28 Feb
13:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture - dee Feb 7/
20:30 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewng - see Feb 14
Events Skipped This Month
-----------------------
EVENT MAY RESUME AT DIFFERENT PLACE OR HOUR; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
[SPR] SPRING RESUMPTION OF ACTIVITY
--------------------------------------
14:00 - World School - MH - New York Map Society lecture
11 W 26 St, 7th fl, upstairs from MoMath. 'Mapping the
heavens'.Various topics about map making, cartography,
geography. Free, adv regn reqd. www.newyorkmapsociety.org,
mapsociety@ny@gmail.com
16:30 - Danbury - CT - astronomy lecture
Westn Conn St Uv, Obsy/Plm. Indoor planetarium show,
clearsky starviewing. Free. www.wcsu.edu/starwatch,
203-837-8671, dawsond@wcsu.edu
18:00 - Cornelia St Cafe' - MH - Entertaining Science show
29 Cornelia St & W 4 St, Play & music on various
science themes. $10 + one drink min.
www.corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319
19:00 - Coll of Staten Is - SI - clearsky starviewing
Astrophys Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. 718-982-2818,
csivc.csi.cuny.edu/supernove7/files/home.html,
robbins@mail.csi.cuny.edu,
19:00 - NY Academy of Sciences - MH - astronomy lecture
'The nystery of our mathematical universe'. $20. www.nyas.org
19:30 - Intrepid Museum - MH - AstroCafe' lecture
Flight deck of ship. Indoor/open air lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Food & drink service, bar drinks sold only to 21+
YO. Free. www.intrepidmuseum.org
19:30 - Intrepid Museum - MH - astronomy lecture
Flight deck of ship. Indoor/open air lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.intrepidmuseum.org
19:30 - Alley Pond Park - QN - astronomy lecture
Alley Pond Enviro Ctr. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. $14 at door.. www.alleypond.org,
info@alleypond.org, 718-229-4000
19:30 - Floyd Bennett Field - BK - clearsky starviewing
Community Garden. NYSKies & Natl Park Svc. Free. Cancelled
for clouds. www.nyskies.org, stephenlieber@nyc.rr.com,
nyskies@nyskies.org
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg
UACNJ Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky starviewing. Free.
www.uacnj.org
20:00 - Great Kills Pk - SI - clearsky starviewing
Natl Pk Svc. Enter at Hylan Bv to playground; Free. Cancelled
for clouds. www.nps.gov/gate, 718-987-6790 n
20:00 - 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 - Upper Montclair - NJ - clearsky starviewing
No Jersey Astro Gp. Montclair St Univ, Richardson Hall.
Free, cancelled for clouds. njastro.org, 973-655-7266
20;00 - 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 meeting
NJAA-HQ, Robinson Obsy. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.njaa.org, 908-368-8500
--------------------------------------
[???] UNCERTAIN RESUMPTION OF ACTIVITY
--------------------------------------
15:00 - Upton - LI - science lecture
Brookhaven Natl Lab.Bldg 510. 'Weighing galaxy clusters with
weak lensing in Hyper Suprime-Cam Survey'. Free, have GI photo
ID for campus security. 631-344-2651, www.bnl.gov/evnts
18:00 - Earth Institute - MH - science lecture
Columbnia Univ, Lerner Hall, Arledge Audm.. 'Sea level rise:
Causes, impacts and options for solutions'. Free, adv regn
reqd. ei.columbia.edu
18:00 -CUNY Graduate Center - MH - Ctr for Sci & Soc lecture
385 Fifth Av. 'Early modernb science intertwine An
Iberoamerican perspective'. Free, adv regn reqd, Free,
212-854-7211, scienceandsociety.columbia.edu
18:00 -CUNY Graduate Center - MH - NY Hist of Sci lecture
385 Fifth Av. 'Early modernb science intertwine An
Iberoamerican perspective'. Free, adv regn reqd.
212-854-7211, scienceandsociety.columbia.edu
18:30 - West Reading - CT - clearsky starviewingh
New Pond Farm, obseratory. $10, adv regn reqd. , cancelled for
clouds. www.newpondfarm.org, 203-938-2117,
19:00 - Bridgehampton - LI - astronomy lecture
Montauk Obsy. South Fork Natl Hist Musm. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.montaukobservatory.com
19:00 - Lk Taghkanic St Pk - NY - clearsky starviewing
Mid-Hudson Astro Assn. West Beach parking lot. Free,
cancelled for clouds. Adv regn reqd with vehicle make,
model, plate number for park security. `
www.nidhudsonastronomy.org
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
20:00 - Bear Mountain - NY - clearsky starviewing
Rockland Astro Club. Anthony Wayne Rec Pk, picnic field. Free,
cancelled for clouds. www.rocklandastronomy.com
20:00 - 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
General News
----------
---february sees the resumption of activity hibernating thru the
winter. Some started in late january, missing that issue of NYC
Events. More resumptions come in march and April.
Some events, almost all in the rural sectors of NYSkies, were
called off from icy roads or balky rails during January 2019. Please
inquire at the event contact in case of possible weather-related
cancellations.
NY Hist of Sci for spring 2019 posts its lectures separately from
its roff outfit Ctr for Sci and Soc. I give each its own entry, both
in Manhattan. tHEIR fEBRUARY MEETINGS HAVE LITTLE OF INTEREST FOR
ASTRONOMERS, PLACING THE ORGS IN THE '???' SECTION.
Instt for Study of Ancient World returns to its normal weekly
lectures, all at 18h.for a couple months it had more frequent sessions
at various hours, sometimes associated with an current exhibition.
Astro Soc of Toms Rv Area helped with analyzing a
possible eteorite found in Silver Lk NJ. Club is still active but
its events page is out of order. I leave it in the '???' section.
Van Vleck Obsy and Vassar Coll Obsy start their spring 2019 season
in February. I that I leave their entries for every Wednesday but some
days may be skipped when classes are off-duty. Please inquire at the
contact before going aa session.
City News
------On 2019 January 2 NYS Gov Cuomo called off the spring total
closing of the Canarsie subway line. He said the line can continue
service with only brief interruptions to repair the Sandy-wrecked
tunnels under east River. he told NYS MTA to cancel current contracts
and work them over with the new regimen of operatiion.
PATH on 2019 January 5 started weekend shutdown of its station
under WTC. Plan allows PATH to repair Hudson River tunnels between WTC
and jersey City NJ, damaged by hurricane Sandy. Closure is every
weekend from 00h Saturday to 05h Monday thru end 2020. PATH trains
heading to WTC short-turn at Exchange Pl station. From there riders
may transfer to ferry to Battery Pk City. They may also take the
33rd St branch and connect to subways on Manhattan for the WTC
vicinity. NYSkies Astronomy Seminar on 4 January 2019 started the new
year with preparation for the great lunar eclipse. This occurs across
midnight of January 20-21 over all of NYSkies. We reviewing the
mechanics of lunar eclipses, where the Moon slides thru the shadow of
Earth at Full Moon. We studied a shlock diagram of sun-Earth-Moon and
discussed the gross out-of-scale layout. All diagrams fitting on a
letter page are hideously distorted both in size and separation of the
orbs. A true scale diagram would be immensely long For an Earth of
10mm diameter on paper the Sun would have to be a full meter across and
stand some 100 meters away. We learned about the two zones of the
shadow, umbra and paenumbra. An observer in the umbra sees the Sun
completely covered by Earth. In the paenubra he sees the sun partially
covered by Earth. For practical purposes we during the eclipse do not
notice the paenumbra because the sunlight in it is only partly cut
off, causing little dimming. Only very close to the edge of the umbra
could the paenumbra be dark enough to notice as a dusky shading on the
lunar limb where a few minutes later the umbra will arrive. We noted
the shift in reference during the eclipse. we may fix on the Moon and
let the shadow pass over her. We may fix on the shadow, almost
stationary in the stars,, and let the Moon pass thru it. Both ways are
correct. We saw how the Moon's orbit is tilted to the Sun's [apparent]
orbit, it being simpler to hold Earth still and let Sun and Moon
circle around her. The Moon at full phase can pass south or north of
the umbra, with no eclipse. if the lunar orbit is edge-on to the
umbra, the Moon passes thru it for an eclipse. We discussed how the
physical sizes of the bodies allow for a generous leeway off of exact
alignment to make an eclipse. if the three were points there would
never be a perfect lineup. We traced possible paths of Moon thru umbra
to simulate various eclipses. For a full immersion we have a total
eclipse, like in january. A little far from the line-up, along the
line of nodes of the two orbits, the Moon slides off center thru the
umbra and is only partly covered, for a partial eclipse. Farther again
from the nodal line the Moon misses the umbra for no visible eclipse.
She could dip into the paenumbra but there is no noticeable dimming of
the Moon. We disinquiched between a solar eclipse, dependent on the
observer's location on Earth, and a lunar eclipse, with same aspect
from all places where the Moon is in the sky. We bantered about the
2017 solar eclipse which most of us at the meeting saw. When we plot
the line of nodes, full Moon, and midnight on a calendar we get a set
of triangles among all three lines. The smaller the triangle, the more
likely a lunar eclipse will take place. We examined one such plot I
did in 4972 to demonstrate eclipse in year 1973. This plot also has a
line for the Sun to cover solar eclipses. We then examined a
published plot of eclipses for the 1990s-2000s. This showed the
bunching of eclipses into two segments of the year with none in
between because the Moon is too far from the nodal line. We next
looked at the timetable for our January eclipse/ By mere lick the
eclipse is centered on local midnight, putting the Moon in high south
sky for most of the event. The Moon sits in Cancer, a few degrees west
of M44 cluster, as shown in a full sky map and a close-up of the
eclipse vicinity. During slack moments in totality there are many
deepsky objects to explore near the Moon. Or we could just admire the
slow revelation of stars as the Moon's brilliance ebbs. We compared
the midnight map, near mid eclipse, to the nightfall map for winter
skies. We saw how the sky rotated to move the winter stars to the
southwest and bring in more of the spring stars in the east. We then
studied the aspect of the sky during the eclipse as seen from the
Moon. The Earth intervenes between Sun and Moon causing a solar
eclipse for the lunar resident. Simulations of this eclipse were
studied, created with a solar system software centered on the Moon.
with no air on the Moon to blind us from seeing the corona and other
solar eclipse features, we really don't need a solar eclipse. We could
mechanicly cover the Sun at will when we want to examine the Sun
outside his photosphere. a historical note came when we realized the
Earth's shadow on the Moon is always part of a circle. This happens no
matter how the Earth is turned toward the Moon. The only geometric
shape that can do this is a sphere, giving strong evidence that the
Earth is a sphere. An illustration from a mediaeval astronomy book
emphasized this conclusion. Astrology software can yield interesting
features of the lunar eclipse that aren't easily given by astronomy
softwares. A horoscope chart for mid eclipse dramaticly shows the
opposition of Sun and Moon relative to the zodiac. The horoscope also
shows the position of the lunar ascending node and apogee. We realized
that the Moon is only 4 degrees from the node,, within the limit for
a total eclipse. We also saw the Moon is close to her perigee, 180deg
from apogee, meaning the Moon is little larger than average and moves a
little faster than average. This eclipse by these factors lasts a
little shorter than average for the same path thru the umbra. We also
spotted the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter not yet risen during the
eclipse! This would cap off a long night of eclipse watching when they
rise in morning twilight. Astroloers take careful note of the speed of
planets as well as position. a chart from an astrology program plotted
the speed, degree/say, of the Moon as she circulates thru the zodiac
in January 2019. Her highest speed is close to the eclipse. For those
with telescopes -- binoculars really giving the most pleasing view --
we found that we can follow the umbra by timing when it crosses
various small bright craters. Both covering and uncovering can be
noted. We can also work occultations which with a normal full Moon
would be hard or impossible to observe. Myrna Coffino brang a snack
kit of cheese-&- crackers and cupcakes. These supplemented Jim
Henderson's pizza and soda. Gregory Homatas supplied lunar phase
calendar for 2019 to show the slippage of full Moon thru the months.
Takeaways were pictures and diagrams of eclipse mechanics, plots of
Moon-Sun-node in calendar layout, sky charts for mid eclipse, eclipse
timetable, simulations of solar eclipse seen from the Moon, astrology
horoscope and speed graph, sample crater timings and occultation map.
Newark airport, was forced to close on 2019 Jan 22 ~16h EST by a
hobby drone nearby. it was first spotted ~1,000m over Teterboro
airport, ~35k, n of newark. Incoming flights were diverted and
departures were held on ground. Drone apparently landed somewhere,
allowing newark to resume partial operations at 17:45 and full service
at 19:00. Port Authority and US FAA are investigating the incident.
NYSkies Astronomy Seminar on 18 January 2019 was packed with
members and topics! We began with a load-U-go discussion of the lunar
eclipse of jan 20-21. We studied charts of the Moon's pass thru the
Earth shadow and the general sky at mid eclipse. Er clarified the
distinction between the Moon's eart-west diurnal motion and her west-
east orbit motion thru the shadow. We next looked at the conjunction
of Venus and Jupiter centered on January 222. We gain demonstrated
diurnal and orbit motion. The next topic was a news item sent to me by
Myrna Coffino. It explained the 'runaway pole', the north magnetic
pole racing off of Canada, into the Arctic ocean, toward Russia. The
NMP since discovery in 1830s wandered around in northern Canada. In
the late 1990s it suddenly speeded up to zoom into the Arctic Ocean.
This pole, and its southern mate, determine the magnetic field at and
near ground level. This field is remapped every five years to account
for the displacement of the two poles, with the next revision due in
2020. The NMP is running away so fast that NOAA early in 2018 planned
to remap the field now, ahead of 2020. With the US government shutdown
of December NOAA has to hold off the remapping. The main topic was
spectrometry, confined for now to the classification of stellar
spectra. Details of how spectra are generated what information we
extract from them is deferred for a future Seminar. We traced the
history of spectrometry from Newton's day thru Fraunhofer, who first
mapped the spectrum from the Sun. We learned that each chemical
element produces a unique spectrum with its own set of dark or bright
lines. The 'lines' are artificially made within the spectrometer for
ease of inspection and study. Matching these lines with those in a
target's spectrum identifies the elements present in the target,
Fraunhofer lettered the major and some minor lines in the Sun's
spectrum, such as the C line (from hydrogen), D (sodium) and pair H&K
lines (calcium). We saw how spectra of other stars resembled and
differed from the Sun's. The sorting out improved with the 1890s
arrangement in order of the density of the lines produced by hydrogen
and lettered A thru O. When temperature was discovered as the primary
force generating spectra, the sequence was shuffled into high-low
temperature. The letters were left alone, resulting in the current
jumbled alphabet sequence OBAFGKM. We discussed the construction of a
spectroscope, noting that there were no cheap competent ones for home
astronomy. There are many at sale designed for bright light sources,
like the Sun and lamps. We took a break to inspect spectra of local
lights thru a small homemade spectroscope. it had a shoot of rainbow
plastic at the eye end and a cardboard slit at the target end. Jim
Henderson offered his multi-color pocket torch as an other target to
study. We found out that we all play with spectra every day! a pocket
radio traces across frequencies in the radio range and receives
'bright line' emission from radio broadcasts. We followed the shift of
photographic spectra to digital graphs, which occurred in the 1980s.
Today photographic spectra, spectrograms, are produced for public or
illustrative uses. We work only with the digital profile. We do not
bother with the colors, they having no physical meaning. Spectrograms
were taken only on B&W film and digital profile have no color
information. We learned how temperature excites or ionizes atoms in
the star to yield lines. The spectrum consists of an envelope or
continuum, the 'nand of color', with the lines impressed into it. The
shape of this continuum plus the mix of lines in it fix the star's
temperature. We studied a table of spectral classes with details of
the temperature and description of the major lines. We skipped the
decimal parts of a class, staying just with the main letter. Some
classes lack all ten parts for historical and technical reasons. We
explored the units of measure in spectrometry. In the optical part of
the electromagnetic spectrum we use wavelength, In some other parts we
use frequency or energy. All three are commutable with each other.
Wavelength historicly is dimensioned in angstroms, after Angstrom,
mid 1800s spectrometrist. one angstrom is 1e10 meter, there then being
no formal prefix for very small fraction of a meter. The current unit
is the nanometer, equal 10 angstrom. Both measures are in concurrent
use in astronomy. We explained the notation for ionization, the
removal by temperature of electrons from an atom. In physics the
neutral atom with all electrons is in its quiet lowest energy state,
denoted roman number I. An atom with one electron removed is in the
next higher state, II, and so on.The roman number is one greater than
the actual number of removed electrons. In Chemistry plus signs are
used to explicitly show the missing electrons. The atom has a net
positive charge from its protons no longer netted out by these
electrons. An atom with three electrons removed is +++, and so on.
Both methods are in wide use in astronomy, such as Fe V the same as
Fe++++.We looked at Kirchoff's law for creating a continuum, bright
line, and dark line spectrum. The latter two are also called emission
and absorption spectra because the bright line is an excess output of
energy at its wavelength while a dark line is a decess of output.
Historicly this help solve the mystery of nebulae, which did not
resolve into stars under better telescopes in the 19th century.
Huggins looked at the spectrum of a globular nebula (I forget which
one) and saw it had only bright lines. If it was really made of
unresolved stars it would have a continuum spectrum with some dark
lines. the nebula was a thin could of gas. We looked at spectra of
other celestial objects: a comet, Uranus & neptune, a radio source, and
luminous graffiti in the night sky,atmospheric distortion of solar
spectrum, front-end wide field spectrum, slitless spectrum of
globular nebula. We wrapped up with two diagrams with all wrong paths
for the light passing thru a prism. These came from webs tracking
about spectroscopy! The entire session was filled with additional
questions and remarks from the members. many of us asked for further
discussion of spectra, like the generation of lines by atomic
structure and the HR Diagram. These are excellent topics for future
meetings. Takeaways were data and charts of the lunar eclipse, chart
of the Venus-Jupiter appulse, maps of the N and S magnetic pole
displacement, historical pictures of spectra, comparison of photo and
digital spectra, sample datafile for a digital spectrum, sample
spectra of elements, illustrations of dark and bright line spectra,
photo and profile spectra for spectral classes, pictures of tabletop
prism and grating spectroscopes, several nonstellar spectra, erroneous
light paths thru prism. We ran a little overtime! The session, which
began on time, closed lights and door at quite 9:50PM.
A 50cm diameter water main burst on 2019 Jan 23 ~05:50 EST under
14 St & 7 Av, Chelsea. This is at the far corner of our Seminar's
block. Flooding in area closed gray and red subway lines and diverted
road traffic. Train service was restored in mid morning, repairs to
pipe and street continued for a few says.
The Holocaust Remembrance at the United nations, 28-31 Jan 2019,
is in progress at issue time. Several NYSkiers signed up to attend on
one or an other day. I'll report on them in the March NYC Events.
Sky News
------
Overall January was a poor observing month. many special celestial
events were clouded out over NYSkies. These included the flyby of
comet Wirtamen at Capella, Quadrantid meteor shower (altho a large
Moon would have tempered the show), Globe at Night measurements,
Jupiter-Venus conjunction. The one grand exception was the lunar
eclipse on the 20-21. The sky was clear and dark with roving scattered
clouds. The clouds masked the Moon from time to time but did not
seriously impede viewing the wonderful show. The air was, uh, frigid,
the coldest so far in 2019, with stiff wind driving a deep chill
factor.Reports are coming in at issue rime. They'll be summarized in
the Mach 2019 NYC Events.
I, likely many other astronomers, made a Globe at Night assessment
during the lunar eclipse on 2019 Jan 20-21. This supplements the
standard schedule, like Earth Hour does in March, to add an other
datum point in logging the general condition of the sky.
The pass of Capella by comet Wirtamen was clouded out in NYSkies
over the New Year's weekend. My own viewing of the comet ended in the
couple clear nights between Christmas and New Year's. Until then i saw
the comet four or five times, enough to fill my desire to follow a
bright comet in a night sky. It always looked like a large globular
cluster in binoculars with no hint of tail. At the 2019 January 4
Seminar a couple members reported trying to see Wirtamen and failed
from hazy sky reflecting ground lights.
Reports of the lunar eclipse are coming into NYSkies! Every one
who toughed it out with the cold and wind got spectacular views!
Scattered clouds, hiding the Moon once in a while, were no obstacle
against a thoroly marvelous view. The February 1st Seminar will give
time for presenting eclipse reports.
The Globe at Night session for 2018 Dec 29-2019 Jan 7 was mostly
clouded out. Altho on some nights it cleared up late at night or in
owl hours, every one I heard from observed in early night, under
cloud. The next session is 2019 Jan 27-Feb 5.
Some observers, I too, had a hunch that the clear nights in late
December 2018 were some how 'filtered' to make stars dimmer than
normal. One possible cause was ash and dust from the volcano event in
Indonesia on Dec 24. A run of cloudy nights ended December, continuing
thru January 7. The next several nights were dark and clear with stars
were of normal brilliance. The day sky was clean deep blue. The
apparent dimming of stars before New Year's may have been a temporary
local effect.
Over the days centered on the lunar eclipse there was a passing
between Jupiter and Venus in the dawn sky. Clouds broke up continuous
watching, yet the change of orientation and separation of the two
planets was a wonderful show.
Scattered reports of travel hazards for lunar eclipse viewers on
20 January 2019. Sudden plunge in temps and rise of strong wind iced
roads and froze some spirits Observing sessions in open field away
from shelter sufferd badly with decimated attendance. Sessions with
shelter fared better, giving visitors beautiful views in spite of
fast-moving scattered clouds.
Newcomers to astronomy were amazed how fast planets can move
Observing from clear sections of the country they saw Jupiter and
Venus scoot around each other in dawn sky in the mid 20s of January
2019. when an appulse comes along, please watch it for a few days
before the event thru a few days after to acquire the sense of
planetary motion.
Jean and Nora Muchanic on 11 January 2019 found in Silver Bh NJ an
apparent meteorite. It was heavy and partly buried in the beach sand.
Astro Soc of Toms Rv Area referred the women to Franklin Institute,
Philadelphia for study. Institute found the rock was a chunk of
ordinary coal.
A monster fireball flew past US East Coast on 9 January 2019
~06:30 EST. Path was ~100km off-shore parallel to coast starting off
of Washington DC , ending off Newport News VA. It was seen from LI to
NC, suggesting the meteor was in very high atmosphere. It likely
burned up completely with no
meteorites falling to the ground.
A meteor hit the Moon ron 2019 January 21 ~23:41 EST, a couple
minutes before 2nd contact. This is the first lunar meteor ever
observed during a lunar eclipse. It was caught on videos, some aired
publicly as live eclipse coverage. Flash was beyond recognition by
eyeball viewers. It showed as a tiny dot on one or two video frames,
sometimes first spotted upon replay. Time and lunar lat-lon are
uncertain due to low resolution full-disc images, obscured lunar
features in the umbra, and loose synch of frame timing. Lunar meteors
are captured about weekly by dedicated searches during small Moon
periods.