Message from the President

As the days grow longer and the nights (hopefully!) clearer, May promises a month brimming with astronomical delights and exciting opportunities to connect as a community.

First and foremost, mark your calendars for our Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 12th! We’re thrilled to be gathering at the fantastic Greats of Craft in Long Island City. This is a can’t-miss event where we can catch up, share our recent observing triumphs (and tribulations!), and plan for the exciting year ahead. And the best part? We’ll have free food to fuel our astronomical discussions! Plus, Greats of Craft boasts a rooftop space where, fingers crossed for clear skies, we can even do some observing together after the meeting. Imagine sharing views of the late spring sky right there in Long Island City!

But the stargazing fun doesn’t stop there! Get ready for our Spring Starfest on Thursday, May 9th, at Evergreen in Brooklyn. This is a wonderful chance to bring out your telescopes, share your knowledge, and ignite the curiosity of our local community. There’s nothing quite like sharing the wonders of Saturn’s rings or the ethereal glow of a nebula with someone seeing it for the first time. Your enthusiasm and your scopes make these events truly special, so please come and join us!

Beyond our club events, May offers some captivating celestial events visible right here from New York City:

* The Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower: Peaking around May 5th and 6th, this meteor shower originates from the debris of the famous Halley’s Comet. While the radiant is best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, early morning observers here in NYC might still catch some swift and often bright meteors streaking across the sky. Find a dark spot away from city lights for the best chance!

* Venus and Jupiter Conjunction: Keep an eye on the western horizon in the early evening as the month progresses. You’ll witness the brilliant planet Venus drawing closer to the giant Jupiter, culminating in a close conjunction later in May. This is a beautiful sight even with the naked eye and a fantastic photo opportunity!

* The Moon’s Monthly Dance: As always, the Moon will journey through its phases, offering different observing opportunities. The early evenings around the New Moon (around May 5th) will provide the darkest skies for deep-sky observing, while the waxing gibbous and full moon later in the month will showcase lunar details beautifully through telescopes.

These events remind us of the ever-changing beauty of the night sky and the joy of experiencing it together. Our club thrives on the passion and engagement of each and every one of you. Whether you’re a seasoned astrophotographer, a binocular enthusiast, or just starting your cosmic journey, your presence and your willingness to share your love for astronomy enrich our community.

We can’t wait to see you at the Spring Starfest on May 9th and especially at our Annual Meeting on May 12th! Let’s connect, share stories, and look up together.

Clear skies!