Observing Schedule page of the CSI Astrophysical Observatory

International Astronomical Union Observatory Code #294

Engineering Science & Physics Department

"See The Sky At CSI"!

CSI OBSERVATORY SCHEDULE

Rules for the enjoyment of all at any observation place.

1. Dress warm-There is no heat in the observatory

2. No cell phone lights or flashlights-use the red lights of the observatory or a red light flashlight for writing to preserve yours and your neighbors night vision. You will be in a dark (red at the observatory) environment designed to open your pupils to the max to see the details of the heavens. Once you look at a "white" light you will lose this "night" vision you obtained and it will take twenty minutes to regain it!

3- Park cars with headlights facing away from the observatory. See Rule 2 above.

Please cooperate to make the observatory experience the best it can be for all parties.

See other Local Observing Opportunities below

For Safety and Health reasons you should read all of the information that follows the Clear Sky Clock

before consulting the schedules or using the links on this page.

INFORMATION ON HOW TO READ THIS SKY CLOCK CLICK HERE

Observing Sessions are offered on the dates listed below on clear days and evenings. . Evening observing run till about 11:00 PM (it is suggested that you arrive no later than about 10:15 PM to observe).

~ See BELOW For Specific Schedule of Hours ~

If you are unsure of the weather and want to know if we will be observing, please call the observatory ONE HOUR BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TIME at 718-982-3260 before you travel to the campus. Special events held at the observatory (meteor showers, eclipses, passing comets,etc will also be announced on this page and via the above telephone number.

REFER OCCASIONALLY TO THE SCHEDULE BELOW BECAUSE RAIN DATES AND ADDITIONAL SESSIONS AND CHANGES ARE ADDED FROM TIME TO TIME.

The observatory is not open on nights when the sky is mostly cloudy, or if it is raining, or snowing or when temperatures drop below freezing. If in doubt call the above number

Directions to the College of Staten Island. CSI campus MAP

Please note: CSI astronomy students: Observing earn you significant extra credit in your lecture classes. Be sure to bring the forms you download from the observing menu above or removed from your laboratory manual. Please note the many observing opportunities listed and linked below and in the extra credit opportunities link found to the left on the main page!

Exploring the Cosmos!

Current Observatory and Events Schedule

(SUBJECT TO CHANGE PLEASE REFER TO REGULARLY)

STUDENTS: PRINT SOME OBSERVING FORMS FROM HERE BEFORE YOU COME TO THE OBSERVATORY: OBSERVING FORM LINK

In general, when the opportunity arises we also observe celestial objects like: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Orion Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy, Open Galactic and Globular Clusters, double star systems, and indvidual stars like Red and Blue giants.The List of objects in any given night are the main attempts for that night and not all objects targeted for the session may be reached.

Date-Time Highlights

Feburary 20, 2008 Wed -8:30 pm Lunar Eclipse Event: The Moon goes through the shadow of the Earth and turns a beautiful blood red. Eclipse watch starts at 8:30 PM Partial eclipse begins 8:43 pm - Total Eclipse begins at 10:01 PM and ends at 10:51 PM and becomes partial again until 12:09 am If your time is short come around 9:40PM to see the start of Totality at 10:01PM. If you are not coming but will observer this event then try to use a pair of binoculars to see the color effects at its best. If time permits we will observe open clusters M44 (binoculars best),M37 and the Orion Nebula and fading MARS. Red Giant Star Betelgeuse (M star), Sirius (B star) etc

March 12 Wed- 8:00 PM Andromeda Galaxy(M31), The beautiful double star gamma Andromeda, Open Cluster (nest of young stars M37 in Auriga, Eskimo Nebula (Planetary or old star erupting) in Gemini, M44, Praesepe, ( Beehive open Cluster), is one of the largest and brightest of all open star clusters and we will look at it via Binoculars. Saturn and its majestic rings, Orion Nebula (birth place of stars), say good bye to Mars, Crescent Moon (see the mountains and craters).

April 9 Wed- 8:30 PM NGC 869 and NGC 884, also known as h and Chi Persei, are two of the finest star clusters in the sky. Open Cluster (nest of young stars M37 in Auriga, Eskimo Nebula (Planetary or old star erupting) in Gemini, M44, Praesepe, ( Beehive open Cluster), is one of the largest and brightest of all open star clusters and we will look at it via Binoculars. Very Remarkable Globular Cluster M3 (Ancient stars in a satellite group of our Milky Way Galaxy), Alcor the triple system of stars in Ursa Major (The big dipper), Saturn and its majestic rings, NGC 2244 a bright open star cluster in Monoceros, Orion Nebula (birth place of stars), Crescent Moon (see the mountains and craters).

(ALUMNI EVENT) April 11 Fri - 8:00 PM: (cloud date April 12 Sat 8:00 PM) Special Alumni Program) Registration needed call the Alumni office (csi: 982-2000) THIS EVENT WAS CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER AND RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 6 9:00PM (CLOUD DATE JUNE 7: 9:00PM)

May 7 Wed- 9:00 PM (PUBLIC EVENT) Get a peek at the Planet Mercury, Very thin Crescent Moon (see the mountains and craters). Eskimo Nebula (Planetary or old star erupting) in Gemini, M44, Praesepe, ( Beehive open Cluster), is one of the largest and brightest of all open star clusters and we will look at it via Binoculars. Very Remarkable Globular Cluster M3 (Ancient stars in a satellite group of our Milky Way Galaxy) and M5 Globular cluster, Alcor the triple system of stars in Ursa Major (The big dipper), Saturn and its majestic rings, M13 the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, Later in the session(-> 10:30 PM) , The best-known planetary nebula (old star erupting) the Ring Nebula M57, multiple star is Epsilon Lyrae, a quadruple system commonly called the Double- Double. Albireo in Cygnus the Swan (northern cross) is one of the most beautiful double stars in the sky

June 5 Thurs- 9:00 PM (PUBLIC EVENT) Crescent Moon (see the mountains and craters). The Planet Saturn and its majestic rings,: Very Remarkable Globular Clusters M3 (Ancient stars in a satellite group of our Milky Way Galaxy) and , M13 the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, Alcor the triple system of stars in Ursa Major (The big dipper), M57 the Ring Nebula The best-known planetary nebula (old star erupting) multiple star is Epsilon Lyrae, a quadruple system commonly called the Double- Double. Albireo in Cygnus the Swan (northern cross) is one of the most beautiful and colorful double stars in the sky! M104 Sombrero Galaxy if the sky conditions permit.

JUNE 6 9:00PM (ALUMNI EVENT) (CLOUD DATE JUNE 7: 9:00PM) Special Alumni Program and Registration needed call the Alumni office (csi: 982-2000) Crescent Moon (see the mountains and craters). The Planet Saturn and its majestic rings,: Very Remarkable Globular Clusters M3 (Ancient stars in a satellite group of our Milky Way Galaxy) and , M13 the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, Alcor the triple system of stars in Ursa Major (The big dipper), M57 the Ring Nebula The best-known planetary nebula (old star erupting) multiple star is Epsilon Lyrae, a quadruple system commonly called the Double- Double. Albireo in Cygnus the Swan (northern cross) is one of the most beautiful and colorful double stars in the sky! M104 Sombrero Galaxy if the sky conditions permit.

NOTICE THE DATE AND TIME OF NEXT EVENT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO WEDNESDAY DUE TO THE SCHOOL SCHEDULE

June 25 WED- 9:30 PM (PUBLIC EVENT) The Planet Saturn and its majestic rings,: Very Remarkable Globular Clusters M3 (Ancient stars in a satellite group of our Milky Way Galaxy) and , M13 the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, Alcor the triple system of stars in Ursa Major (The big dipper), M57 the Ring Nebula The best-known planetary nebula (old star erupting) multiple star is Epsilon Lyrae, a quadruple system commonly called the Double- Double. Albireo in Cygnus the Swan (northern cross) is one of the most beautiful and colorful double stars in the sky: M11 The Wild Duck Cluster - An open cluster (an intense large number of teenage stars born together and hanging out in their stellar nursery). M104 Sombrero Galaxy if the sky conditions permit.

UPCOMING EVENT CALENDARS

See lists at the next links and other Observing Session sites below

Link to ATT-General Astronomical Events Calendar (Meteor Showers, Eclipses, Solstices, Equinox, etc)

Link to the International Meteor Organization for their Meteor Shower Calendar with details on each shower.

IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN TELESCOPE AND WANT TO PLAN WHAT TO SEE IN THE SKY THIS EVENING CHECK OUT THE EXCELLENT SITE: "TONIGHT'S SKY"

PLEASE SEE OTHER OBSERVING OPPORTUNITIES BELOW

Click HERE for more information FOR student OBSERVING AND EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES

OBSERVING OPPORTUNITIES

LINK TO "HOW TO OBSERVE" AND some details for Observatory sites in NY and NJ (SEE LINKS BELOW)

IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN TELESCOPE AND WANT TO PLAN WHAT TO SEE IN THE SKY THIS EVENING CHECK OUT THE EXCELLENT SITE: "TONIGHT'S SKY"

Other Observing Session sites

Listed below are some other Observing Session sites within the five boroughs that are graciously offered by the Amateur Astronomers Association of NY (AAA). Information on on these sites and Observatories in nearby New Jersey can be found by visiting their web sites for more information.

Home Page for the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York City.

GO TO THIS SITE AND CLICK ON LOCATION FOR SCHEDULE

NOTE: GREAT KILLS SI IS USUALLY ON SATURDAY NIGHTS

FLOYD BENNET BKLYN IS USUALLY ON FRIDAY NIGHTS

* Great Kills Park, Hylan Blvd, S.I. (model airplane field).
* Cadman Plaza Park, Brooklyn.
* Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn.
* Carl Shurz Park (promenade), Manhattan (upper East side). Also: Solar Observing on Saturdays Noon to 2:00 pm.

Some New Jersey observing locations (click on name to visit web site):
* Sperry Observatory, Union College, Cranford, NJ.(Great place only about 30 minutes from Staten Island usually open every Friday night)
* Robinson Observatory, Voorhees State Park, NJ. ( also open regularly but about 1 hr 15 minutes from Staten Island..great dark area! )
* Jenny Jump State Park Observatory, NJ.

Return to Observatory's

Home Page!

College of Staten Island
~ City University of New York ~
Astrophysical Observatory
2800 Victory Boulevard (Bldg.6N)
Staten Island, New York 10314
Voice: 718-982-3260
© 2005