"Astronomy" New York City event coming up!

As some of you may have heard, Astronomy magazine will help host a big stargazing event in New York’s Central Park on Saturday, October 20. I’m delighted to say the Amateur Astronomers Association (AAA), the club behind the stargaze, has asked me to deliver an introductory talk about the universe before stargazing commences. I’ll speak about our principal target — the First Quarter Moon — Jupiter (which will rise in the late evening), and other targets such as the Summer Triangle, the Great Square of Pegasus, and a smattering of bright deep-sky objects, as well as the content and structure of the cosmos.

The stargaze is designed to allow thousands of people to get their first glimpse through a telescope. This major event to be held in Central Park will be hosted by the AAA, the long-established and largest club in the New York area. Also involved as partners in this venture will be Tele Vue Optics and Adorama. The American Museum of Natural History and Rose Center also will be involved in the event. I’m delighted to say that I will be representing the Astronomy Foundation as well, and I hope other foundation officers will join me there. Astronomy magazine Senior Editor Rich Talcott also will be on hand for the stargaze.

We’ll have plenty of literature, magazines, “Welcome to Astronomy” booklets that will introduce newcomers to the hobby, and other fun things. I’m delighted to report that Al Nagler from Tele Vue Optics and Mike Peoples from Adorama will be in attendance. Congratulations to Susan Andreoli, vice president of AAA, and Marcelo Cabrera, AAA’s president, for organizing this big undertaking.

For publicity info about this event, please contact Astronomy Foundation Vice President and Publicity Director Karen Jennings.


Here is the press release from the AAA:

Amateur Astronomers Association of New York
 Sponsors October 20 Urban Starfest in Central Park

Central Park's Sheep Meadow. // Credit: Charles Smith

The Event: On Saturday evening, October 20, the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York (AAA), in conjunction with the NYC Urban Park Rangers, will take Manhattan on a tour of our solar system and universe during its annual Urban Starfest in Central Park’s Sheep Meadow.

Honored guests this year include David Eicher (editor in chief) and Richard Talcott (senior editor) from Astronomy magazine, and Tele Vue founder and chief optical designer, Al Nagler. Joining the event as well will be Adorama Camera, a longtime friend and supporter of AAA.

The Sheep Meadow is an open area of the park, free of glare from local lighting, where the majority of the urban night sky can be seen. There will be telescopes of various magnifications and design, capable of reaching out into the Milky Way Galaxy and beyond. Come have a look at the universe just a mile from Times Square and easily reachable by public transportation.

The event will begin at dusk, when trained AAA observers will be setting up their scopes and determining their celestial targets. Guests are welcome to come early, watch this process, and speak with AAA members and supporters about telescopes, astronomical binoculars, and solar observing equipment.

The People: Just as important as what you will see is who will join you on your journey to the stars. AAA publicly promotes science education and culture throughout the five boroughs. Its goal is to teach, educate, and foster a culture of stargazing and public science engagement. Member observers will take you on your first steps to understanding our cosmos. Those with more advanced knowledge will be able to discuss astronomy with their peers. For kids, astronomy is the gateway to the sciences. Seeing Saturn's rings or Jupiter's moons is a source of wonder and amazement that can dramatically change one’s perspective.

The AAA Urban Starfest strives to plant new seeds of curiosity (much like NASA has planted its Curiosity rover on Mars) — not just about astronomy, but about science, technology, engineering, and math. The supportive environment of this Central Park event is the perfect venue to meet helpful and friendly people dedicated to sharing what they've learned. Although observing the night sky is the focus of the evening, Starfest is about making new friends and talking to people about new and amazing things.

Each year, this event brings hundreds of New Yorkers together to share the experience of viewing the skies above Manhattan.  Intrepid AAA observer teams staff 15 to 20 telescopes and astronomical binoculars of various magnifications.

The Technology: Tele Vue Optics telescopes and eyepieces, Celestron NexStars, Orion StarBlasts, SkyProdigys, and more, telescopic guidance systems have progressed tremendously.  Learn and observe AAA members as they program their scopes to point to the cosmos. Sky Safari, Starwalk, Google Sky Map, Space Map — there are many excellent apps for phones and iPads alike. Watch as AAA members research targets and scout the sky with the latest software. CCD cameras, DSLRs set to infinity, there are many ways to capture images by letting in starlight.  Bring your own equipment and discuss imaging techniques with member photographers.

Our Targets: Our astronomical targets will be both near and far.  In our solar system, the cloud bands of Jupiter, its moons, and our Moon will be easily visible. Beyond, we will observe distant galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae. The sky is filled with opportunities each night.

Directions: Enter at Central Park West at 67th Street, walking past the parking lot for the old Tavern on the Green towards the Sheep Meadow, a wide-open space. Look for a table staffed by Park Rangers and AAA members at the entrance to the meadow.

About AAA: Founded in 1927, The Amateur Astronomers Association of New York is dedicated to educating residents of the metropolitan area in the science of astronomy. In addition to observing sessions in four boroughs and upstate, AAA sponsors a monthly lecture series, offers astronomy classes and seminars throughout the year, publishes a monthly membership news journal, Eyepiece, and provides a wealth of information on its website for current events and astronomical content.

Rain Date: In case of a clouded over sky or rain, Urban Starfest will be held the following evening, Sunday, October 21.

Please visit us at www.aaa.org/starfest.


See you in New York!