NYSkies
Astronomy Inc |
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NYC EVENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2018
----------------------------
John Pazmino
NYSkies Astronomy Inc
nyskies@nyskies.org
www.nyskies.org
The following astronomy activities in the commuting ring enclosing
New York City are operated by various organizations. A few cultural
items of special importance to City astronomers are also included.
Altho NYC Events confirms the listed items, they are subject to
change by their sponsors. Check with their contacts. Let the sponsor
know that you learned of its event thru NYC Events.
Frequently asked questions and explanation of NYC Events is at
'www.nyskies.org/nyc-faq.htm'.
You may ask for previous NYC Events thru 'nyskies@nyskies.org'
because only the current issue is in the website. It is replaced by
next month's issue.
For events which missed NYC Events, check the NYSkies Yahoogroup
forum. Join NYSkies by visiting 'www.nyskies.org/yahoo.htm' and
picking either the email or website option.
All hours are Eastern Dayulight Savings Time (UT - 4h) .
General notes
----------- /
'whole City' means the event has no specific or dedicated place.
It may be enjoyed from the whole NYSkies territory or at a number of
individual places. Celestial events are typicly 'whole City' events.
'all day' means the event is continuous or repeating during the
open hours of the host facility. Facilities may have limited hours per
day or days per week. Check with the event contacts.
'adv regn reqd',for 'advance registration required/requested'
means that the event requires or requests signing up before the event.
You must have your ticket in hand at the gate. There could be a
deadline some days before the event, after which no more signups are
accepted. Check with the event contact for specifics.
Prices cited are the 'rack rate'. You could qualify for discounts
As may be offered by the sponsor. Besides the base price there may be
noptional extra fees to consider.
Current Month calendar
--------------------
Plain dates are in current month;
-, previous month; +, next month.
Moon phase: .NM., .FQ), (FM), (LQ.
Sunset is noted for each Saturday
---------------------------------
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat sunset
-----------------------------------------------
-(26) -27 -28 -29 -30 - 31 1 19:28
(2. 3 4 5 6 7 8 19:17
.9. 10 11 12 13 14 15 19:05
.16) 17 18 19 20 21 22 18:53
23 (24) 25 26 27 28 29 18:41
30 +1 (+2. +3 +4 +5 +6 18:30
------------------------------------------------
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 - - - 14
Secret Science Club - - - 0
CONNECTICUT - CT
*A S of Gtr Hartford - - 18
Astro Soc of Greenwich - 23
*Astro Soc of New Haven - 25
Bowman Observatory - - - 5, 19
Connecticut Star Party - 7-9
*Litchfield Hills AAC mtg ???
*Litchfield Hills starvg - 21
*McCarthy Observatory - - 8
New Pond Farm - - - - - - 15
Stamford Observatory - - 7, 14, 21, 28
*Van Vleck Obsy (ASGH) - - 22
Van Vleck Obsy (WU) - - - 5, 12, 19, 26
Western CT St Univ Obsy - S/O
*Westport Astro Soc mtg - 18
*Westport Astro Soc starvg 5, 12, 19, 26
-------------------------
Boothe Meml Astro Soc - 203-377-9933,
www.facebook.com/Boothe-Memorial-Astronomical-Society
LONG ISLAND - LI
*Amateur Observers Soc - - 9
Amer Instt Aero & Astro - ???
Astro Soc of Long Island 5, 12, 19, 26
Brookhaven National Lab - 4
Custer Institute - - - - 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Hofstra Univ Obsy - - - - S/O
Montauk Observatory - - - 11
SUNY Stony Brook - - - - 7
*Susan Rose Observatory - 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
MANHATTAN - MH
*Amat Astro Assn starvwg - 0
*Amat Astro Assn lecture - S/O
Amer Musm Natl Hist - - 5
Ctr for Atmosp Ocean Sci 12, 19, 26
Ctr for Science & Society S/O
Central Pk (Great Lawn) - 1,2,7,8,9,14,15,16,21,22,23,28,29,30
*Columbia Univ Obsy - - - 21
Cornelia Street Cafe' - - 2
Earth Institute - - - - - ???
Good Housekeeping lab - 14
Governor's Island - - - - 1-Oct 31
Gullicar's Gate - - - - - 0
Instt Stud Ancnt World - 20, 26
Intrepid AstroCafe' - - - S/O
Intrepid Astro Night - - 21
*Inwood Astronomy Project 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Jupiter Joe Sidewk Astro 0
Labor Day - - - - - - - 3
Milky Way autumn season - 1-Nov 30
Natl Musm of Mathematics 5
NY Academy of Sciences - ???
NYC-H2O - - - - - - - - - 0
New York Univ Astro - - - 4, 11, 18, 25
*NYSkies Astronomy Seminar 7, 21
Observer's Handbook offer 16
SciCafe' - - - - - - - - 5
Simons Foundation - - - - 12
Space & Science Festival 20-23
Top of the Lawn - - - - - 1,2,7,8,9,14,15,16,21,22,23,28,29,30
Tirbute in Light - - - - 11
TriState computer fair - 0
UN General Assembly - - - 25-Oct 6
Urban Park Rangers - - - 0
Weekend Walks - - - - - - 1-mid Dec 2018
----------------------------
Ctr for Space Sci Edu - - info@nyccsse.org, www.nyccsse.org,
212-608-6164 n
METRO-NORTH - NY
Lamont-Doherty Obsy - - - S/O
Mid-Hudson Astro Assn - - 7
Ramapo Challenger Ctr - - 16
Rockland Astro Club - - - 18
Vassar College Obsy - - - 5, 12, 19, 26
Ward Pound Ridge - - - - 8
Westchester Amat Astro - 14
NEW JERSEY - NJ
A A A of Princeton - - - 11
A S of Toms Rv Area - - - ???
*Amat Astro Inc meeting - 7, 14, 28
*Amat Astro Inc lecture - 21
Joint Base Centennial - 0
Morris Musm Astro Soc - - 13
New Jersey Astro Assn - - 22, 29
North Bergen Viaduct - - 0
No Jersey Astro Gp mtg - S/O
No Jersey Astro Gp starvg 6
Peyton Observarory - - - 5
Plasma Physics Lab - - - 7, 21
Rutgers Univ Astro Collqm S/O
Rutgers Univ Astro Semnr S/O
*S*T*A*R - - - - - - - - - 6
Schommer Observatory - - 13, 20
*Sheep Hill Astro Assn - - 7
*Sheep Hill Observatory - 21
*Utd Astro Clubs of NJ - - 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Washington Xing St Pk - - 7, 14, 21, 28
---------------------------
Dark Sky Observers - www.users.nac.net/gburke/club
McDowell Obsy - mec.rst2.edu, 201-460-8300
Montclair Telescope Club - 973-948-5284, bischoff@garden.net,
users.erols.com/njastro/orgs/mtc.hrm
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 - - - - - S/O
York College Observatory 12
REST OF WORLD
STATEN ISLAND - SI
Coll of Staten Is Obsy - S/O
Great Kills Park - - - - 15
Staten Is Community TV - 7, 14, 21, 28
THE BRONX - BX
=============================
Ongoing and continuing events
--------------------------
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 state - NJ - Joint Base centennial shows
VARIOUS LOCATIOONS ND TIMES; INQUITR AT CONTACT
Thru 2018 Oct 31. 100th annivesaty if Fort Dix and later
worls of McGuire AFN and Lakehurst NAS. These are only
military facilityies jointly run by all three major branches,
army, air force, navy. Events staged at or near bases. Most
ree, some pay. www.nj.gov/state/historical/index.html,
609-292-6062, Feedback@sos.nj.gov
all day - whole City - MH - cultural tour
VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND TIMES; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
NYC-H2O. Walk, bike, ride thru history and culture of NYC
muwater system facilities and natural waterways in and near
the City. Events are pay orfree, adn regn reqd. Bike tours
need own bike. www.nych2o.org,
matt@nych2o.org
all day - whole City - MH - clearsky starviewing
VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Amat Astro Assn. Sessions convene in parks usually at dusk.
Occasional daytime sunviewing. Free. Cancelled for clouds.
president@aaa.org, 718-522-5014, www.aaa.org
all day - whole City - MH - clearsky starviewing
VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Jupiter Joe's Sidewalk Astronomy. Sessions convene in parks
usually at dusk. Occasional daytime sunviewing. Free. `
Cancelled for clouds. www.jupiterjoesastronomy.org,
jupiyerjoesastronomy@gmail.com
all day - Gullivaer's Gate - MH - cultural exhibit
indef duration. 216 W 44 St, 7/8 Av. Opened in mid April 2017
for preview. Miniature models of landmarks and important
structures from around the world. Rooms arranged by quarter of
world and for New York City. $36, timed ticket, adv regn reqd.
Optional cost for stereopint of visitor into figurine placed
at desired item in exhibit. www.gulliversgate.com.
all day - whole City - MH - cultural tours & lectures
VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Urban Park Rangers. Tours of parks, landmarks, nabes, hoods.
Lectures on history and culture of NYC. Program varies each
month. Free. www.nyc.gov/parks
10:00 - whole City - MH - Tri-State Computer Fair
VARIOUS LOCATIONS, GENERALLY ON SUNDAYS
Source of computer systems, software, components, accessories.
$7. www.tri-statefairs.com, 718-227-5586
20:00 - Bell House - BK - Secret Science Club meeting
OCCASIONAL SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
149 7 St, 2/3 Av. Lecture and music on various science
topics. Free. secretscienceclub.blogspot.com, 718-638-4400,
List of events -
---------
Sat 1 Sep
all day - Governors Island - MH - cultural shows
FERRY IS FREE FOR FIRST WEEK, MAY 1-6, THENAFTER $2 RT
Thru 31 Oct. Island is open on every day, 10h-20h weekdayss,
10h-19h weekends. Walk and tour thru former military base and
new urban park. Shows vary each day or visit by foot or bike.
Ferries run every day 10h-17h from Battery Marine Terml, MH,
and on weekdays from Pier 6, BK. Island is free but ferry
fare is $2 RT. www.nps.gov/gois,
www.govisland.com
all day - whole City - MH - Weekend Walks street fairs
VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND DATES; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Thru mid Dec. NYC Dept of Transptn closes certain steets in
all boros on Saturdayss for street fairs. Stores and local
orgs offer ntertainment, discount sales, exhibits, food
service Free.
www.nyc.gov/html/dot/weekendwalks/html/home/home.shtml
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 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg
UACNJ Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky starviewing. Free.
www.uacnj.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
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
21:00 - whole City - MH - autumn Milky Way season
Thru Nov 30. Fall season for sighting Milky Way from within
NYC. Requires dark clear sky and thoro knowledge of normal
luminous graffiti in sky. Milky Way is in high west sky at
at nightfall. www.nyskies.org/articles/pazmino/milky-ny.htm
Sun 2 Sep
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
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
Mon 3 Sep
all day - whole City - MH - labor Day
Please check with event contact for session falling on this
day by rule or outdated schedule
Tue 4 Sep
11:00 - Upton - LI - science lecture
Brookhaven Natl Lab.Bldg 510. 'Neutron roduction and capture
in stellar nucleosynthesis'. Free, have GI photo ID for campus
security. 631-344-2651, www.bnl.gov/evnts
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
Wed 5 Sep
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
20:00 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting
Vanderbilt Plm. Free. asliastronomy@yahoo.com,
www.asliclub.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
20:30 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of Greenwich. Curtis Elem Schl, Bowman Obsy. Free.
Cancelled for clouds. rickbria@optonline.net, 203-415-6762. ,
astrogreenwich.org
20:30 - 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
20:30 - Westport - CT - clearsky Mars viewing
Westport Astro Soc. Rolnick Obsy. Extra session for Mars
opposition. 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 6 Sep
20:00 - Upper Montclair - NJ - clearsky starviewing
No Jersey Astro Gp. Montclair St Univ, Richardson Hall.
Free, cancelled for clouds. njastro.org, 973-655-7266,
20:00 - Lincroft - NJ - S*T*A*R meeting
Brookdale Commty Coll, Mommouth Museum. Free.
www.starastronomy.org, s-walters@comcast.net
Fri 7 Sep
10:00 - Princeton - NJ - science tour
Plasma Physics Lab. Walk thru history and culture of fproject
to capture energy from controled hydrogen fusion. Free, adv
regn reqd. Photo ID required for campus security.
www.pppl.gov/events
16:00 - Goshen - CT - Connecticut Star Party
Thru Sun 9 Sep. Astro Soc of New Haven. Strang Camp. Dark
skies, talks, demos, camping, food service, lodging, tourism.
$24 + extras. www.asnh.org
18:30 - McBurney House - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
DISCUSSION: BLACKHOLES IN THE MILKY WAY
125 W 14 St, 6/7 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show
& tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies
territory. Free. nyskies@nyskies.org, www.nyskies.org
19:00 - 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
19:30 - 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, hfjacinto6@gmail.com
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 - Boonton - NJ - Sheep Hill Astro Assn meeting
Boonton Senior Ctr. Free. www.sheephillastro.org,
contacts@sheephillastro.org, wwestura@optonline.net
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture
Stamford Obsy. $5. Indoor lecture, clearsky starviewing.
203-322-6537, www.stamfordmuseum.org, cescovil@earthlink.net
20;00 - Wash'n X'ing - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Amat Astro Assn of Princeton. Simpson Obsy. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.princetonastronomy.org, 609-737-2575,
info@princetonastronomy.org
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
Sat 8 Sep
20:00 - New Milford - CT - astronomy lecture
McCarthy Obsy, New Miford HS. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.mccarthyobservatory.org, 860-354-1595,
contact@mccarthyobservatory.org
20:00 - Ward Pound Ridge - NY - clearsky starviewing
Westchester Amat Astro. Meadows Picnic Area. Free. Cancelled
for clouds. waa-president@westchesterastronomers.org
www.westchesterastronomers.org,
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH cleasky starviewing - see Sep 1
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg - see Sep 1
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting - see Sep 1
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
sun 9 Sep
13:15 - Uniondale - LI - Amat Obsrs Soc meeting.
Hofstra Univ, Berliner Hall. Free. www.aosny.org,
suerose@optonline.net
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
Tue 11 Sep
14:00 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Sep 4
18:30 - Shelter Island - LI - astronomy lecture
Montauk Obsy. Shelter Is Publ Liby Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.montaukobservatory.com
19:30 - whole City - MH - Tribute in Light memorial
World Trade Center. Two parallel blue beams shine dusk to
dawn to honor victims of 2001 World Trade Center collapse.
Beams approximate floor plan of Twin Towers and can reach
tens of kilometers high. Geometry determines height of beam
top as observed from all over NYSkies. Details in local news
media. www.nyskies.org/articles/pazmino/trib-lt.htm
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 12 sep
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
160 5 Av & 21 St. 'Ecvursion through geometry, topology, and
analysis in 4 dimensions and bwyond'. Free, adv regn reqd.
646-654-0066, ww.simonsfoundation.org
20:00 - York College - QN - astronomy lecture .
Core Academic Bdg, Rm AC-2E01. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free, adv regn reqd. 718-262-2082,
www.york.cuny.edu/centers-institutes/observatory,
tpaglione@york.cuny.edu
20:00 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting see Sep 5
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 5
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 5
Thu 13 Sep
19:30 - Morristown - NJ - Morris Museum Astro Soc meeting
Morris Museum. Free. 973-386-1848, 973-386-1848,,
www.mmastrosociety.org, info@morrismusem.org,
ckkrish@gmail.com
20:30 - 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 14 Sep
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
19:30 - Pleasantville - NY - Westchester Amat Astro meeting
Pace Univ, Lienhard Hall, Free.
www.westchesterastronomers.org,
waa-president@westchesterastronomers.org
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Sep 7
19:30 - Staten Is Community TV - SI - science show - see Sep 7
20:00 - Floyd Bennett Field - BK - clearsky starviewing
Community Garden. NYSKies & Natl Park Svc. Free. Cancelled
for clouds. www.nyskies.org, stephenlieber@nyc.rr.com,
nyskies@nyskies.org
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture - see Sep 7
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
20;00 - Wash'n X'ing - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 7
Sat 15 Sep
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting - see Sep 1
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH cleasky starviewing - see Sep 1
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg - see Sep 1
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
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 - 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
20:30 - West Reading - CT - clearsky starviewingh
New Pond Farm, obseratory. $10, adv regn reqd. , cancelled for
clouds. www.newpondfarm.org, 203-938-2117,
Sun 16 Sep
all day - whole City - MH - Observer's Handbook offer
TENTATIVE DATE; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
The NYSkies offer for the 2019 RASC Onserver's Handbook opens
in september. The Books are printed in early October for
delivery to NYSkies in mid-late October, but you may ompose
your reqursts NOW. Cost is till $23 per copy, with P&P. Wen
page is not yet updated; we know you are asking for the 2019,
not 2018, edition. www.nyskies.org/oh.htm,nyskies@nyskies.org,
www.nyskies.org/ohclub.htm
14:00 - Airmont - NY - science show
Ramapo Challenger Ctr, 225 Rt 29. Multimedia
imulation of space missions. $20. wwwlhvcc.com,
director@lhvcc.com, 845-257-3416.
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
Tue 18 Sep
14:00 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Sep 4
19:30 - New Brittain - CT - Astro Soc of Gtr Hartford meeting
Central CT St Univ, Copernicus Plm. Free. www.asgh.org,
860-872-9069, pparkerrs@cs.com
20:00 - Westport - CT - Westport Astro Soc meeting
Rolnick Obsy. Free. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925 \ Wed 22 Aug
Wed 19 Sep
15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture - see Sep 12
20:00 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 5
20:30 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 5
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 5
Thu 20 Sep
09:00 - Intrepid Museum - MH - Space & Science Fest
Thru Sun 23 Sep. Talks, crafts, exhibits, demos of space
exploration projects and science themes. Booths from NASA,
private space firms, labs, schools. Activiries on Pier 86 are
free. Those on Intrepid ship need $33 adm, incl Shuttle
pavilion and temporary exhibits. Tkt allows crossing bten pier
and ship all day. . Special exhibit 'Summer exprince of Mars'.
www.intrepidmuseum.org
18:00 - Inst Stud Anc World - MH - cultural lecture
15 E 84 St, 5/Madison Av. Various topics on history and
culture of ancient civilizations.. Free, adv regn reqd.
isaw..nyu.edu isaw@nyu.edu, 212-992-7842
20:30 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewng - see Sep 13
Fri 21 Sep
10:00 - Princeton - NJ - science tour - see Sep 7
18:30 - McBurney House - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
DISCUSSION: ASTEROIDS, NEAR AND FAR
125 W 14 St, 6/7 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show
& tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies
territory. Free. nyskies@nyskies.org, www.nyskies.org
19:30 - Intrepid Museum - MH - astronomy lecture
Flight deck of ship. Indoor/open air lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.intrepidmuseum.org
19:30 - Staten Is Community TV - SI - science show - see Sep 7
20:00 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc lecture
Union Co Coll, Smith Audm. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asterism.org
20:0:0 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture
Pupin Hall, signs to lecture room. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. outreach-admin@astro.columbia.edu,
www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach, 212-854-3278
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture - see Sep 7
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
20;00 - Wash'n X'ing - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 7
20:30 - Litchfield - CT - Litchfield Hills A A C lecture
White Meml Consrvn Ctr. Free. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. lhaac.shutterfly.com, lhaacsec@gmail.com
lhastro.org
20:30 - Boonton - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Sheep Hill Astro Assn Obsy, Free. Cancelled for
clouds. sheephillastro.otg, contacts@sheephillastro.org,
wwestura@optonline.net
Sat 22 Sep
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 - Inwood Hill Park - MH cleasky starviewing - see Sep 1
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting - see Sep 1
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg - see Sep 1
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
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
Sun 23 Sep
15:30 - Greenwich - CT - Astro Soc of Greenwich meeting
Greenwich Public Library. Free with musm adm.
rickbria@optonline.net, 203-415-6762, astrogreenwich.org
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
Tue 25 Sep
all day - United Nations - MH - General Assembly meeting
Thru Oct 6. There may be short-notice public events at the UN
during this period. Security and entry checkin may be stricter
than usual. Be sure to have proper papers and photo ID in hand
to show to plice, UN officials, guards. Local streets up to a
kilometer from UN may be closed, with traffic and transit
detours. Allow extra travel time, follow carefully all event
instructions, arrive early for the evnt.
14:00 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture - see Sep 4
19:00 - New Haven - CT - Astro Soc of New Haven meeting
Yale Univ, Leitner Family Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asnh.org, prez@asnh.org
Wed 26 Sep
15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture - see Sep 12
18:00 - Inst Stud Anc World - MH - cultural lecture - see Sep 20
20:00 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 5
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 5
Fri 28 Sep
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 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Sep 7
19:30 - Staten Is Community TV - SI - science show - see Sep 7
20;00 - Wash'n X'ing - NJ - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 7
20:00 - Stamford - CT - astronomy lecture - see Sep 7
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
Sat 29 Sep
10:30 - Voorhees St Pk - NJ - astronomy show
N J Aastro Assn, Robinson Obsy. Tours, solar obsg, demos,
raffle, flea market, food service. Free. www.njaa.org,
908-368-8500,
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Institute meeting - see Sep 1
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
20:00 - Jenny Jump St Forest - NJ - Utd A C of NJ mtg - see Sep 1
20:00 - Susan Rose Obsy - LI - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
20:00 - Inwood Hill Park - MH cleasky starviewing - see Sep 1
Sun 30 Sep
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Sep 1
Events Skipped This Month
-----------------------
EVENT MAY RESUME AT DIFFERENT PLACE OR HOUR; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
[S/O] SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER RESUMPTION OF ACTIVITY
--------------------------------------
11:00 - Palisades - NY - science lecture
Lamont-Doherty Earth Obsy, Comer Bldg. Various topics in
geophysics and earth science. Free, 845-365-8634,
www.ldeo.columbia.edu, suzana@ldeo.columbia.edu,
13:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
Seminar series. Rutgers Univ, Serin 401. Free. 732-445-3974,
www.physics.rutgers.edu/ast/seminar
16:30 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
Colloquium series. Rutgers Univ, Busch Campus, Astro & Phys
Lectr Hall. Free. www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium,
732-445-3974
18:00 - 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
18:00 -CUNY Graduate Center - MH - Ctr for Sci & Soc lecture
385 Fifth Av. 'Early modernb science intertwine An
Iberoamerican perspective'. Free, adv regn reqd, Free,
limited seating. 212-854-7211,
scienceandsociety.columbia.edu
18:15 - 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
19:00 - 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,
19:30 - 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
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 - Danbury - CT - astronomy lecture
Westn Conn St Uv, Obsy/Plm. Indoor planetarium show,
clearsky starviewing. Free. www.wcsu.edu/starwatch,
203-837-8671, dawsond@wcsu.edu
20:00 - 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
--------------------------------------
[???] UNCERTAIN RESUMPTION OF ACTIVITY
--------------------------------------
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
19:00 - Toms River - NJ - Astro Soc of Toms Rv Area meeting
Ocean Co Coll, Student Ctr, Solar Lounge. Free.
www.astra-nj.org, 732-255-0343, webmaster@astra-nj.org
19:00 - NY Academy of Sciences - MH - astronomy lecture
'The unification of physics: The ques for a Theory of
19:30 - Torrington - CT - Litchfield Hills Amat Astro Club mtg
Central Congregational Church. Free.lhaacsec@gmail.com
lhastro.org
general news
----------
Several August events in north New Jersey were cancelled by massive
rain and flooding. Most seem to be forced out of action due to the
quickly rising waters and short leadtime of hazard notices. Roads and
rail were blocked by downed trees and floating vehicles.
Science & the Arts leaves NYC Events. It seems dormant with
ediurnate web and no recent events. If it revives I'll welcome it
back.
Westchester Amat Astro now meets in Lienhard Hall of Pace
University. Previously it convened in Miller Hall. it also posted its
2018-2019 dates for its monthly members meetings.
Simons Foundation is up and running after the stram explosion on
its street corner. it in late August posted a full slate of lecturees
for fall 2018. See Sep 12.
I list the annual .meeting of the UN General Assembly, 2018 Sep
25-Oct 6. No, you can not participate in the GA sessions! There may
be collateral public events at the UN on short notice in this time
span. There is an increase in public activity at the UN in 2018, with
several NYSiers taking in a one or an other. As i learn of them, I'll
post them into our yahoogroup. See Sep 25.
Summer Streets, on 2018 Aug 4, 11, 18, suffered oppressive heat or
massive rain. The Park Av tunnel was closed with no walk-thru this
year.
I simplified the entries for Vassar Coll and Wesleyan Univ
observatory public nights. These are on Wednesdays only when classes
are in session. Over the years it got more ambiguous to interpret the
schools's academic calendars. This caused NYC Events to miss sessions
or list a skipped one. Please inquire at the contact for each instance
of a visit.
I'm always proud when you great astronomers come to our Seminars.
But I do remind that we meet TWICE per month, NOT 'every other
Friday'. August had five Fridays: 3, 17, 31. The Seminar was on the
3rd and 17th ONLY. There was NO Seminar on the 31st.
City news
-------
A tornado sliced thru College Pt and Whitestone, QN, on 2018 Aug 2
22:20 EDST. It touched down during a strong thunderstorm, travelling
west for ~1200m, then dissipated before reaching Whiteston Bridge. Of
strength FF-0, it scored a 100m path, ripping up trees, bruising
homes, tossing cars. No reported injuries or deaths.
Three men were hit by lightning during a thunderstorm on 7 August
2018. Two were playing soccer in Flushing Meadow-Corona Pk, QN, at
~19;30 EDST when both were felled by a bolt and were treated at
Elmhurst Hospital.At ~19:55 the third man was struck while tending to
his car at 155 St & Baisley Bv, Jamaica QN. He was taken to Jamaica
hospital. All three, tho seriously injured, are expected to survive.
NYSkies Astronomy Seminar on 2018 august 3 prepared us for the
Perseid meteors, peaking on August 12-13 this year. We first discussed
the raging storm on mars that by mid July completely blanketed the
planet. Storms commonly occur as mars rounds opposition, suggesting to
19-20th century astronomers that the people up there were deliberately
hiding from our view. Clouds and rain interfered with observing mars,
but on the occasional clear night the planet was more white than red.
This is reflection from the light-colored dust screening the darker
red surface. The Perseids are a streamtube of meteors sprinkled around
the orbit of comet Swift-Tuttle. Its orbit passes close to Earth's
intercepting on the same date each year, August 10-13. Earth pulls in
some of the comet debris. As the particles fall thru the atmosphere,
they heatr into incandescence. The grains makes a steak in the sky as
the very meteor. The material of Swift-Tuttle is evenly spread all
around its orbit. Each year Earth is sure to catch a good sample and
produce a satisfying meteor shower. This is contrasted with the
Leonids of November. Its comet, Tempel-Tuttle, maintains its debris in
a clump that circles the Sun in 33 years. Earth catches this clump
only every 33 years, with several near misses with no meteor shower.
The first to recognize that August had the most shooting star activity
in the year was Quetelet, a French health official in the 1830s. In
his job he invented the discipline of social statistics and the mass-
height measure of human body build. A few years later several teams of
observers, recruited from home astronomers of the era, standed vigil
in August to better document the meteors. They found the most shooting
stars seemed to radiate from Perseus during August 10-13. Over the
next decades, until the discovery of the meteor-comet connection in
the 1860s, the August, and November, shooting stars were a major
curiosity of the heavens, even among the public. The debris flows in
parallel paths along the comet orbit and we see the meteors by looking
upstream into the flow. Perspective makes it seem that the meteors
radiate from a point among the stars, like the convergence of parallel
lines on Earth, such as railroad tracks. or several decades the two
showers were simply the August and November meteors. As more showers
were identified, the practice arose to name them after the
constellation of their radiant. since the constellation produce the
meteors as offspring, the name is the patronymic of the constellation:
leonids and Perseids. We examined the moonskip effect that this year
gives us a new Moon during the Perseids. In other years the Moon may
be in large phase in the sky to hinder observing of the shower. This
moonskip feature can be used to plan attendance at outdoor events
occurring on the same calendar date each year, like a the July 4th
fireworks show. We saw the the effect derives from the 'rule-of-19'.
We recalled previous displays, for the most part good ones, seen from
various vacation or weekend getaway from the City. Meteor showers
suffer badly from luminous graffiti by veiling the numerous dimmer
shooting stars that make the shower effect. Only the occasional bright
meteors show thru. We studied diagrams of comet swift-Tuttle to learn
that usually only one crossing of Earth's orbit for a comet. The other
crossing is some far distance from Earth and produces no meteors.
halley's comet is special for having both orbit crossings near Earth.
The south-to-north one is in May to produce the Aquarids. The north-
to-south one gives the Orionidsin october. We had dialog about the
strength of a shower, in meteors per hour. The book value, 60-70 for
the Perseids, assumes an all-sky view, radiant in the zenith, and
sky transparency of 6th magnitude. These conditions are hardly ever
realized for a typical observer. The achieved rate can be half or less
of the book rate. We saw how the altitude of the radiant influences
the display. The radiant must be in high sky, limited by dawn, to let
the shooting stars fall down onto the observer. A low radiant sends
meteors skimming across the atmosphere, most missing it, with only a
few falling as shooting stars. To watch the Perseids, Perseus must be
in high sky, occurring from about 2AM thru dawn. Comfort is every
thing in meteor shower watching. a lawn or deck chair is lined with
soft blankets. Soft drinks, juice, chewies are close to hand. Light &
easy music soothes the mind and eye. We explained that meteorites in
mmusea are mostly made of iron because they are the easiest to
recognize among earthly rocks and stones. Shower meteors are almost
entirely rocky, not iron, Comets theselfs are porous rocks that spew
out grains of dirt that eventually fall as meteors. Iron meteorites
apparently come from stray bits of iron asteroids in the main Belt.
Takeaways were sky map for owl hours of August 12th, detail of Perseus
for binocular browsing, diagram of Comet S-T and Earth orbits, close-
up of comet-Earth intersect, Quetelet mass-height chart, 19th century
diagram of comet-Earth intercept, photo of perspective convergence of
railroad tracks, plot of meteor rate during august with Perseid peak.
migration of radiant as Earth moves thru streamtube, charts of August
owl hours with moonskip for several years, historical articles on
Perseids, list of showers for rest of 2018.
Service on Sea Bh line was interrupted on 20 August 2018 by two
goats wandering on its tracks. They were first reported at ~12:30 EDST
between Ft Hamilton Py and New Utrecht Av stations and were captured
by transit workers at 13;10. The goats probably escaped from a nearby
slaughter yard but Jon & Tracey Stewart, of 'Daily Show' fame, took
them to an animal sanctuary in watkins Glen NY.
Two apartments in One East River Place, 72 St & FDR Drm< MH, were
hit by rifle shots. A resident on the 14th floor woke up on 2018 Aug
17 to find a wondow shattered and recovered a bullet. On the 18th
~01:15 EDST a resident on the 32nd floor was awakened up smashing
noise and found a window broken open. Police tracing the shots and
reviewing security videos determined the gunner weas on Rossevelt Is,
some 500m away. No arrests as at issue time.
NYSkies Astronomy Seminar on 17 August 2018 was for presenting
reports of the mars dust storm and Perseids. Mars was smothered by
summer haze and some California forest smoke. The Perseids were
totally rained or clouded out over NYSkies. he main topic was the
exploration of the Moon's motions around Earth. We looked at the stock
picture of lunar phases and extracted several more features from it.
To aid in better seeing the phase we explained the ball trick and
pocket monocular. Hold a small rough-texture ball, like a tennis or
Spalding, next to the Moon near sunset.the low Sun must shine on the
ball, in open sky. The phase on the ball is the same as on the Moon.
The monocular i showed is a Russian import from the former USSR's KGB.
it fits in the palm and has 3X power. It's handy for sightseeing,
reading distant signs, checking out asterisms, and, yes, assessing
the lunar phase. The phase of the Moon is tied to the time elapsed and
angular run since the last new Moon. In some cultures the Moon is a
all-new creature in each cycle of phases. Her age is the lifespan age
until day 29 when she dies just before the next new Moon. We also saw
that the phase relates to the diurnal hours displacement from the Sun
as a means of telling time at night. We learned that the Moon is so
close to us that our sightline to her swings some 2 degrees over the
Earth's globe. This displacement in the sky affects eclipses and
occultations, causing them to favor certain observers and missing
others. The Greeks measured the Moon's perspective swing, parallax,
that the Moon's orbit is quite 60 times the diameter of Earth. We
studied charts of the Moon's parallactic displacement during an
occultation of the Pleiades and the track of an occulted star observed
from various towns. We demonstrated how to tell time by the Moon!
First we must know the compass directions around you, specially south.
Then pretend the Moon is the Sun and assess the time by her
displacement from the south meridian. Then add to this raw time the
hour offset from the chart in the takeaway, according as her phase.
For a rougher time, clues come from the location and phases of the
Moon in the sky. A crescent Moon in evening is in the western sky when
low. A large Moon when low is in the easter sky. We saw the effect of
the lunar orbit inclination of 5-1/2 degrees. The Moon passes thru the
zodiac over a slightly different path each month, repeating over a
19ur cycle. Occultations come in 'seasons' 19 years apart as the
Moon's orbit brings the Moon over the star or away from it. We noted
that the Moon moves 1/2 deg/hr thr u the zodiac, while carried 15
deg/jr west by daily sky rotation. On the Moon this amounts to quite i
km per sec. This is about the speed of the lunar shadow on the ground
in a solar eclipse. Some of us recalled their sight of the shadow in
the August 2018 eclipse. We welcomed two new guests: Joe Fedrick
and Davida se la Cruz. Joe is a NYSkies correspondent but didn't
recently come to the Seminar. He discussed the dust storm on Mars,
which he tries to follow under the City's adverse weather, and his
experience at the August 2018 eclipse. Davida is new to astronomy,
et added good questions about the Moon's movement and helped answer an
other about speed of meteors and Earth. Takeaways were diagrams of
lunar phases, photo of earthsine, monthly and yearly calendar of Moon
phases, maps of lunar orbit and path thru zodiac, sky charts of Moon's
seasonal change of path thru the sky, chart of hour offset for lunar
time-telling and visibility during the night, chart of parallax
displacement of Moon during occultation, chart of selenehelion. The
previous instance was the lunar eclipse of January 31, 2018, when the
Sun rose while Moon was sinking into umbra.
Sky news
------
The NYSkies Observer's Handbook offer opens in mid September.
The cost per copy is still $23, with pack & post to you. In the past
we discouraged 'anticipation requests' because there was the prospect
of a price increase from the previous year. Since the cost is stable
for this 2019 edition, you may, if you want, send in your request now,
before the formal opening of the offer. See September 16.
August was an awful month for observing with few good nights.
Almost all nights were covered by clouds or filled with rain. The days
were torrid and humid with temps in the mid to high 30Cs.
The Perseids were rained or clouded out all over NYSkies. The nest
report so far was David Teich's sighting of two extra brilliant
Perseids thru thick haze. He watched from a Hudson River pier near
70th St, where he was a couple hundred meters from shore with an open
sky. He noted he could see no other stars and had to eyeball the
location of Perseus.
The annual Tribute in Light on September 11th is a Tuesday. The
twin beams from the PA parking garage just south of the WTC turn on in
late twilight and shine until dawn of the 12th. Do try to measure their
height, to the top of the visible beam, even if capped by clouds. You
need the ground distance from observing site to Rector & West St and
the altitude of the bean top. full instruction are at
www.nyskies.org/articles/pazmino/trib-lt.htm
In past years, in clear sky, the beams reached to tens of kilometers
high.
Observers are giddy about the dust storm on Mars,
bare-eye and binocular efforts were upended by the dense haze on clear
nights. It tinted everything red or orange, masking the real color of
Mars with its tunic of dust. Steve Kaye, as example, on August 12 and
13 was fooled by a bright orange star in the west in dusk. He was
amazed to realize it was Venus, normally candid white.
Steve Kaye on 17 August 2018 noted that some smoke from the
California forest fires drifted to the East Coast. It apparently adds
to the local summer haze to color celestial objects red. Joe Fedrick
recalled that some 20 years ago forest fires in Canada sent plumes of
eye-stinging smoke over the East Coast. Observing during the incident
was smothered.
The dust storm om Mars may be waning by mid August. Scattered
telescopic reports tell of threshold visibility of the darker maria.
Joe Fedrick on August 16 discerned Syrtis Major while i previous weeks
the planet was thoroly blank. On the couple clear nights in the 20s of
august I by eye saw Mars as still white.
Venus in mid August rounded her dichotomy, half-moon phase, and is
racing toward inferior conjunction. In September she rapidly swells in
angular size and shrinks in phase to a large thin crescent. Binoculars
can follow her all the way into evening twilight into October.