AAA President Message – August 2019

Dear AAA Members,

We’ve had a month of memorable activities!

Members who traveled to Argentina and Chile for the July 2 solar eclipse share their stories and images in the Eclipse Special Report. For more photos and details from the eclipse, AAA Members can attend the Eclipse Astrophoto meet-up on August 7, 6:30 p.m. at 505 8th Ave.

The Tanabata Festival on July 8, coordinated by Stan Honda, had clear skies, festive music, and delicious food.

I hope you all had a chance to commemorate the Apollo 11 anniversary. AAA observers participated in multiple Apollo anniversary events with partner institutions. Victor Nicolescu, Irene Pease, and Matthias Schmitt, set up telescopes for a launch anniversary event at Carnegie Hall. Solar observers Howard Fink, Tom G. Haeberle, Tom J. Haeberle, and Faissal Halim braved the heat wave on the Ross Terrace at AMNH’s Starfest celebration of the landing anniversary. Tom G., Tom J., and Faissal also observed later that day at the New York Hall of Science event Apollo, A Party! They were joined by Susan Andreoli, Charles Crockett, and Stan Honda for more solar viewing and night time viewing.

CBS2 produced a story, Snapshot NY: Bringing the Heavens Down to Earth in the Bronx, featuring AAA Site Chair John Benfatti and his inspiring outreach in Riverdale. Thanks to John for coordinating the multiple shoots for this piece, and sharing his enthusiasm for the night sky with so many of us.

Our many regularly scheduled observing events continue this month. If you’re interested in helping at an observing site, with or without a telescope, or would like to learn to use your telescope, contact the site chair of an observing site near you.  On August 8th, join AAA for a special observing session at Transmitter Park in Greenpoint, coordinated by Rori Baldari.

It’s already another cross-quarter, so we’re seeing fall schedules on the website for other AAA events. The fall Classes include Astronomy 101, and a new class by David Kiefer: Recent Breakthroughs. For more information and for registration, visit AAA Classes in early August. The 2019-2020 AAA Lecture Series is also now posted. Lectures begin in October.

In addition to Eyepiece’s more frequent publishing schedule, we’re working on other ways to keep AAA Members up to date on astronomy news and events. While events open to all Members are posted on the Calendar, some notices and discussions are sent to special interest groups. If you’d like to become more involved in particular activities or conversations, you can join any of the special interest groups listed in the AAA Member Portal.

Clear Skies,

Irene Pease

AAA President