AAA OBSERVING AT CARL SCHURZ PARK

The Amateur Astronomers Association observes once each month from April thru September on a Friday night at Carl Schurz Park in Manhattan.  Carl Schurz Park is located at the end of East 86th Street.  There is a lovely view of the East River, Roosevelt Island, Queens and the Queensborough and Triborough Bridges.

Our activities take place on the park esplanade (John Finley Walk) overlooking the East River.  The 86th St. entrance to the park is the closest to where we set up, though one may enter the park at many other points, including 87th or 88th Streets. Anyone wishing to bring a telescope or binoculars is encouraged to do so.

Please note that solar observing on Saturday morning now takes place at Conservatory Water in Central Park.

Contact: Rik Davis, Chair AAA Urban Observing Committee (646) 873-0252

Observing Sessions for 2010

April 23
Moon Phase: Gibbous. Two days past first quarter. Sets about 3 a.m.*
Mars high up in Cancer, near M44, near Moon.
Saturn high, transits before 10 p.m. One mo. past opposition (3/22).
Second-to-last Friday. Earth Day is day before; International Astronomy Day is day after.

May 21
Moon Phase: One night past full.
Sun sets about 8:15. Mars near Moon. Venus sets about 9:45.
Saturn near highest for year, sets after 2 a.m., rings very close to edge-on.
Second-to-last Friday

June 18
Moon Phase: One night before first quarter.
Sun sets around 8:30. Venus near M44, sets around 10 p.m.  Mars sets around 11:30, very near Moon.
Saturn sets after midnight, also very near Moon. (Moon is between Mars and Saturn.) Ceres at opposition.
Second-to-last Friday

July 23
Moon Phase: Two nights before full.
Sun sets around 8:20. Venus sets just after 9 p.m. Mars sets before 10 p.m. Saturn sets just after 10.
Jupiter rises around 10. Saturn, Mars, and Venus line up in evening sky.
Second-to-last Friday

August 20
Moon Phase: Midway between first quarter and full.
Sun sets around 7:45. Venus at greatest elongation and within   a binocular field (<2º) of Mars. Venus sets around 9:30. 
Mars sets around 10. Saturn sets before 10:30.  Jupiter rises before 10:30.
Second-to-last Friday

 
September 24
Moon Phase: One night past full. Rises about 7 p.m.
Sun sets just before 7 p.m. Jupiter just past opposition (9/21). Jupiter very near Moon. Venus at greatest illumination 9/23.
Last Friday of this month. The second-to-last Friday night is Yom Kippur.

October 15
Moon Phase: One night past first quarter.
Sun sets around 6:15. Moon sets around midnight. Jupiter transits around 10.
Third-to-last Friday. Too many sessions near full Moons—this one is closer to first quarter.

*All times cited above are rough approximations.

Directions:
   Carl Schurz Park is located at the end of East 86th Street in Manhattan (X on the map below).

By subway:
4, 5, 6 (Lex Ave Express or Local) to 86th Street Station.  Walk east or take the M86 crosstown bus to York Avenue.  The park is one block further east.
1, 9 (Bway-7th Ave. Local) or B, C (8th Ave Local) 86th Street Station.  Take the M86 crosstown bus to York Avenue.  The park is one block further east.