AAA OBSERVING AT CARL SCHURZ PARK

The Amateur Astronomers Association observes one Friday night each month from April through October at Carl Schurz Park in Manhattan. Carl Schurz Park is located along East End Avenue at the end of East 86th Street. The park has a lovely view of the East River, Roosevelt Island, Queens, and the Queensborough and Triborough Bridges.

We meet on the park esplanade (John Finley Walk), overlooking the East River. The 86th Street entrance to the park is the closest to where we set up, though that entrance requires climbing stairs to reach the esplanade. One may enter the park at many other points, including 87th or 88th streets, thereby avoiding the stairs. We encourage anyone wishing to bring a telescope or binoculars to do so.

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

Contact: Rik Davis (646) 232-7308 or Bruce Kamiat (212) 923-7021

2012 Observing Dates
(canceled if cloudy)
Friday Night
Starting at Dusk
See Below for Times of Sunset

All 2012 Carl Schurz Park observing sessions are scheduled for the last Friday in each month.

April 27
The Sun will set at 7:48 p.m., EDT. The waxing crescent Moon will be one night before first quarter. Saturn will be just two weeks past opposition (on April 15) and will rise a little before sunset. Mars will have been at opposition March 3 and will be about -0.4 magnitude, very high in the evening sky. Venus will be at its brightest on April 30. Venus will be in its crescent phase, one month past its greatest eastern elongation, but still high in the evening sky.

International Astronomy Day will be the next day, April 28.

May 25
The Sun will set at 8:16 p.m., EDT. The Moon will be a waxing crescent, low in the sky. Mars and Saturn will be high in the evening sky.

June 29
The Sun will set at 8:31 p.m., EDT. The waxing gibbous Moon will be three nights past first quarter. Mars and Saturn will be lower in the evening sky than in May and may go behind the buildings early.

July 27
The Sun will set at 8:16 p.m., EDT. The waxing gibbous Moon will be two nights past first quarter.

August 31
The Sun will set at 7:29 p.m., EDT. The Moon will be full. Neptune will be one week past opposition, challenging at 7.8 magnitude, near the Moon in the bright sky. Jupiter will rise before midnight.

September 28
The Sun will set at 6:42 p.m., EDT. The Moon will be one night short of full, so there'll be a little terminator. Jupiter will rise before 10 p.m.

October 26
The Sun will set at 5:59 p.m., EDT. The Moon will be three nights short of full. Jupiter will rise before 8 p.m. 

Directions:

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

Subway:

• Take the Lexington Avenue express (4 or 5) or local (6) to 86th Street. Walk east or take the M86 crosstown bus to York Avenue. The park is one block farther east.
  
• Take the Broadway local (1 or 9), Sixth Avenue local (B), or Eighth Avenue local (C) to 86th Street. Take the M86 crosstown bus to York Avenue. The park is one block farther east).

Bus:

• Crosstown: The M86 runs along 86th Street to York Avenue. Walk one block to East End Avenue. The M79 runs on 81st Street on the West Side and 79th Street on the East Side. Take it to 80th Street and East End Avenue and walk uptown.
• Up or downtown: Buses run uptown along First (M15), Third (M101, M102, and M103), and Madison (M1, M2, M3, and M4) avenues. Go to 86th Street and walk or take the M86 crosstown east, as above. Buses run downtown along Second (M15), Lexington (M101, M102, and M103), and Fifth (M1, M2, M3, and M4) avenues. Go to 86th Street and walk or take the M86 crosstown east, as above.