NYC Events 2008 December

NYC EVENTS FOR DECEMBER 2008
---------------------------
John Pazmino
NYSkies Astronomy Inc

www.nyskies.org

The following astronomy activities in the commuting ring
enclosing
New York City are operated by various organizations. A few cultural
items of special importance to City astronomers are also included.
Altho NYC Events confirms the listed items, they are subject to
change by their sponsors. Check with their contacts. Let the sponsor
know that you learned of its event thru NYC Events.
You may ask for previous NYC Events thru ',
because only the current issue is in the website. It is replaced by
next month's issue.
For events which missed NYC Events, check the NYSkies Yahoogroup
forum. Join NYSkies by visiting 'www.nyskies.org/yahoo.htm' and
picking either the email or website option.
All hours are Eastern Standard Time.

Observer's Handbook
-----------------
NYSkies once again offers the Observer's Handbook, from Royal
Astronomical Society of Canada, at steep discount, with NO MINIMUM
number of copies required. The price is $20, with pack & post to your
US postal address.
The requests in hand as at late November already consumed a large
portion of our supply, but you can still grab your copy. Details are
at 'www.nyskies'org/oh.htm' and 'www.nyskies.org/ohclub.htm'.

Economy considerations
--------------------
With the decline of the global economy, there could be sudden
changes in the listed events. Many are hosted by facilities subject
to
shortfalls of funding, such as museums and parks. Cutbacks may force
the event to shift day, hour, location, or be cancelled. The change
may be issued with short leadtime.
Please check with the event contact for last minute advisements.
Mind well that the event sponsor usually has no effective influence
on
the necessity to alter the event.
Events that have an admission fee may offer extra discounts or
waive the fee. Some already did so during October and November 2008.
The free or reduced admission may apply only for certain days or
hours
and may be announced on short notice.
Please check with the event contacts for latest news.

Holiday meetings
--------------
Many NYC Events members have special meetings during the yearend
holiday season. Some are separate from the normal meeting dates and
places. I omit these from NYC Events being that they tend to be in-
house meetings, like at a restaurant or private house.
Some are celebrations at the normal meeting with perhaps a fee
for
food, drink, decorations. You'll be generally welcome at these
sessions as a means of acquainting with other local astronomers.
In cases when no actual dates are issued for December meetings, I
omit those which 'by rule' fall on Dec 24, 25, 31. These dates are
commonly skipped to accommodate holiday celebrations.

Index of Events
-------------
Dates for events; contact if no events
--------------------------------------
BROOKLYN - BK

Floyd Bennett Field - - - 5
Secret Science Club - - - 3

CONNECTICUT - CT
A S of Gtr Hartford - - - 17
Astro Soc of Greenwich - 3
Astro Soc of New Haven - www.asnh.org,
Bethany Observatory - - - 5
Boothe Meml Astro Soc - - 5, 19
Bowman Observatory - - - 9, 23
CT Tripoli Rocketry Assn 14
Litchfield Hills AAC - - ,
http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian.../1206/id19.htm .
Mattituck Astro Soc - - - 18
McCarthy Observatory - - 13
Stamford Observatory - - 5, 12, 19, 26
Van Vleck Obsy (ASGH) - - 6
Van Vleck Obsy (WU) - - - 3
Western CT St Univ - - - 6, 13
Westport Astro Soc - - - 3, 4, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18

LONG ISLAND - LI
Amat Obsrs Society - - - 7
Astro Soc of Long Island 3, 10, 17
Brookhaven Natl Lab - - - www.bnl.gov, 631-344-8000
Custer Institute - - - - 6, 13, 20, 27
Hofstra Univ Obsy - - - - 7
Innovative Stone Co - - - 1-indef
Jones Beach State Park - 5
Montauk Observatory - - - 1
Natl Space Soc-LISS - - - chapters.nss.org/ny/longisland,

Robert Moses St Pk - - - www.aosny.org,
Science Club of Long Is - www.sciencecluboflongisland.com,
631-421-1523,
SUNY Stony Brook - - - - 5

MANHATTAN - MH
92nd Street Y - - - - - - www.92y.org, 212-415-5500
Adorama Camera - - - - - XX
Amer Mus Natl Hist - - - 1-, 1-, 1-, 13
Cafe' Science - - - - - - 8
Cafe' Scientifique - - - www.sciencecafenyc.org,

Central Park - - - - - - 1
Charmin restrooms - - - - 1-2009 Jan 1
Citigroup Center - - - - 1-2009 Jan 2
City College Physics - - 3, 10
Columbia Univ Astro - - - 10
Columbia Univ Obsy - - - 5
Cornelia St Cafe' - - - - 7
Courant Institute - - - - 3, 10
Cunard Building - - - - - 8
CUNY Graduate Center - - 3, 8
Day the Earth Stood Still 17
Earth Institute - - - - - ,
www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu,
Goddard Inst for Spc Std www.giss.nasa.gov, 212-678-5540,

Hayden Planetarium - - - 2, 3, 10, 17, 30
Inst Strings, Cosmology - 5, 12, 19
leapsecond - - - - - - - 31
Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT subways 6-indef, 7-indef
Macy's department store - 1-10
Natl Space Soc-NYC - - - 4-18
New York Univ Astro - - - 5
NY Academy of Sciences - www.nyas.org, 212-838-0230.
NY Lg Conservtn Voters - 2, 11
NYPL 42nd St - - - - - - 2-8
NYPL Bloomingdale - - - - 11
NYPL Morningside Hts - - 1
NYSkies Astro Seminar - - 1, 18
Observer's Handbook - - - 1
Physics Club of NY - - - 12
Pleiades occultation - - 11
Rock and Roll Museum - - 2
Rockefeller University - 212-327-8000, www.rockefeller.edu,

Sci Ind Biz Liby - - - - 11
Serving Science - - - - - 1
South Street Seaport - - 1-indef, 1-2009 Feb 28
Surveillance camera tour , 212-561-0106,
www.notbored.org/the-scp.html,
Top of the Lawn - - - - - 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28
Urban Park Rangers - - - 1
Venus-Moon-Jupiter - - - 1

NEW JERSEY - NJ
A A A of Princeton - - - 9
A S of Toms Rv Area - - - 12
Amat Astro Inc - - - - - 5, 12, 19, 26
Buehler-Columbia AAA - - 3, 13, 20, 27
Dark Sky Observers - - - www.users.nac.net/gburke/club
Inst for Advd Study - - - 2, 9
Metra Rocketry Assn - - - metrarocketclub.org, 973-831-7717
Montclair Telescope Club 973-948-5284, ,
users.erols.com/njastro/orgs/mtc.hrm
Morris Mus Astro Soc - - 11
N W Jersey Amat Astro - - www.nwjaa.org,
Natl Space Soc-NJN - chapters.nss.org/nj/njn,
New Jersey Astro Assn - - www.njaa.org, 908-368-8600
North Jersey Astro Gp - - 4, 10, 11
Ocean County Coll - - - - 13
Passaic Co Astro Assn - - 11
Princeton Univ Obsy - - - www.astro.princeton.edu/events.htm,

Rutgers Univ Astro - - - 3, 12
S*T*A*R - - - - - - - - - 4
Schommer Observatory - - 2
Sheep Hill Astro Assn - - 7
Sheep Hill Observatory - 19
Skyland Stargazers - - - skylandstargazers.tripod.com
Utd Astro Clubs of NJ - - www.uacnj.org
Washington Xing Pk - - - www.princetonastronomy.org, 609-737-2575,


QUEENS - QN
Alley Pond Park - - - - - www.alleypond.com, 718-229-4000
Queens College Physics - 1, 8, 15

REST OF WORLD

STATEN ISLAND - SI
College of Staten Is - - 16
Great Kills Park - - - - www.nps.gov/gate, 718-987-6790
Staten Is Community TV - 1
Staten Island Mall - - - 1-31

THE BRONX - BX

UPSTATE - NY
Andrus Planetarium - - - 5, 12, 19, 26
Anthony Wayne Rec Area - 201-768-3298,
, www.rocklandastronomy.com
Catskills Astro Club - - 20, 27
Chappaqua Publ Luby - - - 4
Lamont-Doherty Obsy - - - 5, 12
Lwr Hudson Vy Challgr Ctr 21
Mid-Hudson Astro Assn - - 16
Rockland Astronomy Club - 12
Swinging Bridge dam - - - 1-indef
Vassar College Obsy - - - 3
Ward Pound Ridge - - - - 20
Westchester Amat Astro - 5
White Plains Library - - 9
Wilcox Park - - - - - - - 19

Monthly Calendar
--------------
Plain dates are in current month; minus, last month;
plus, next month.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
-30 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 +1 +2 +3

General notes
-----------
'whole City' means the event has no specific or dedicated place.
It may be enjoyed from everywhere in the NYSkies territory or at a
number of individual places. Celestial events are typicly 'whole
City'
events.
'all day' means the event is continuous or repeating during the
open hours of the host facility. Some facilities may have limited
hours per day or days per week. Check with the sponsor's contacts.
Prices, for admission or ticket, cited are the 'rack rate'. You
could qualify for discounts as may be offered by the sponsor. Besides
the base price there may be optional extra fees to consider.

List of events
------------
XXX XX Dec
10:00 - Adorama camera - MH - astronomy show
TENTATIVE EVNET; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
47 W 18 St 5-6 Av. Exhibit and demo of astro products from
various companies. Plans not finalized, may be several shows
in Dec-Jan. Free. www.adorama.com.

Mon 1 Dec
XX:XX - whole City - MH - cultural tours & lectures
VARIOUS PLACES, DATES, HOURS; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
Urban Park Rangers. Tours of parks, lanmdmarks, surrounds.
Lecutres on history and culture of NYC. Program varies each
month. Free. www.nyc.gov/parks
all day - whole City - MH = Observer's Handbook service
Until supply runs out, pretty quickly. NYSkies discount on
Observer's Handbook 2009 from RASC, $20/copy incl P&P.
www.nyskies.org/oh.htm, www.nyskies.org/ohclub.htm,
, 212-273-5958.
all day - Staten Island Mall - SI - cultural show
Thru Dec 31. SI Dist Atty Offc. Video images of convicted
shoplifters rotate continuously. Deters new shoplifters,
assures customers and storekeepers. Free.
all-day - Times Square - MH - Charmin holiday restrooms
Thru 2009 Jan 1. 1540 Broadway, 45-46 St. Public restrooms,
lounge, souvenir shop, photo stagem, kiddie playroom for
yearend holiday season. CLOSED Dec 25 and evening of Dec 31.
OPEN 00h-02h on Jan 1 AFTER ball drops. Free. www.charmin.com
all day - South Street Seaport - MH - Bodies exhibit
CHILDREN SHOULD OBTAIN ADULT GUIDANCE FOR THIS EVENT!
Indefinite duration. 11 Fulton St. About 30 human cadavers,
some intact, some dissected and laid out for inspection of
organs. $27.50 adm. www.southstreetseaport.com
all day - Macy's department store - MH - cultural exhibit
Thru Dec 10. Herald Square outlet, Broadway gate. Time ball
for New Tear's eve on display at end of midway. Waterford
crystal 2-m globe shifts pattern and color every few seconds.
First time ever the ball was publicly accessible up close.
Free. www.timessquarenyc.org
all day - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - science exhibit
Thru 2009 Aug 16. 'Climate change'. $24 timed tkt, incl Mus
adm. www.amnh.org/programs, 212-769-5100
all day - Hauppauge - LI - Freedom Tower cornerstone exhibit
Indefinite duration. Innovative Stone Company, show yard.
Actual 20-ton granite inscribed block for Freedom Tower
cornerstone, placed in tower's foundation on 4 July 2004.
Removed for safekeeping until construction can resume. Free.
all day - South Street Seaport - MH - skating rink
Thru 2009 Feb 28. Pier 17. $5 adm. Skate rental & food svc.
www.thenewseaport.com/icerink,
all day - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - astronomy exhibit
Thru 2009 Mar 29. IMAX Corridor. 'Saturn, a new view' with
Cassini images of planet, rings, mooons. Free with Mus adm.
www.amnh.org/programs, 212-769-5100
all day - Citigroup Center - MH - cultural exhibit
Thru 2009 Jan 2. 53 St & Lexington Av. 'Station at
Citigroup',
huge realistic model of Hudson Rvier railroads from
Weehaawken
NJ to Asirondacks. Animated props, day-night lighting,
contextual scenery, multiple gauge of trains. Free.
www.dunhamstudios.com.
all day - Amer Mus Natl Hist - MH - Ross Skating Rink
Thru 2009 Feb 28. Ross Terrace. $8, excl Mus adm. Skate
rental
& food svc. www.amnh.org/programs, 212-769-5100
all day - Swinging Bridge - NY - potential flood emergency
Indefinite duration. Flood alert on Mongaup & upper Delaware
rivers due to sinkhole in Swinging Bridge dam. Listen for
news and advice from local emergency management agencies.
http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydro...y/swinging.asp
12:00 - Queens College - QN - science lecture
Physcics Conf Rm, B326. Various topics in physics and
astronomy. Free. www.physics.qc.edu/colloq.php, 718-997-3350
17:00 - whole City - MH - Venus-Moon-Jupiter convention
Thru moonset. Venus-Moon-Jupiter in tight triangular foration
in southwest in twilight. Venus & Jupiter were closing in
during Nov and is on Dec 1st joined by 3-1/2-day Moon.
, , 212-273-5958
17:00 - Central Park - MH - Venus-Moon-Jupiter watch
Thru moonset. Top of the Lawn, other astronomers. North
walkway of Great Lawn to watch convention of Venus-Moon-
Jupiter. Free, cnacelled for clouds. www.nyskies.org,
, , 212-273-5958
18:00 - NYPL Morningside Hts - MH - science lecture
Earth Instt, Broadway & 113 St. 'Breaking the ice: carbon,
climate and change'. Free. www.columbia.edu/cu/climatesociety,
,
18:00 - Kouzan Restaurant - NH - Serving Science lecture
685 Amsterdam Av, 93/94 St. Supper/chat with Citu College
profs on sci topics. $10 fee, incl 1 drink, + own meal.
web.cuny.edu/research/Serving-Science-CUNY-Science-Cafe.html
18:00 - Montauk - LI - astronomy lecture
OCCASIONAL SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
Montauk Obsy, Montauk Publ Liby. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.montaukobservatory.com
19:30 - Staten Island Community TV - SI - science show
100 Cable Way, Mariners Hr SI. Live audience, televised on
SI cable. Free. www.sictv.org, 718-727-1414

Tue 2 Dec
all day - NYPL 42nd St - MH - cultural exhibit
Thru Dec 8. Blass Catalog Room. Specimen of new book 'La
dotta
mano' by Giorgio Vasari. Most expensive price ~$100,000,
28Kg,
~55x70cm, all hand crafted, takes 6 month to build. Book
discusses Michelangelo's life and work. Free (to look at).
www.fmronline.com
all day - Rock and Roll Museum - MH - opening of new facility
76 Mercer St. Annex of main museum in Ohio. Chronicles New
York stripe of music with artifacts, maps, exhibits. $26
adm. www.rockannex.com
11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture
Princeton Univ, Bloomberg Hall. Free.
www.sns.ias.edu/astro/astrocal.php,

18:00 - Russian Tea Room - MH - science show
NY Lg Conservtn Voters, 150 W 57 St. 'Celebrate a greener
skyline' fundraiser. Fee not set yet. www.nylcvef.org,
212-361-6350,
18:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Virtual Universe shoe
Live skyshow of computer graphics and astro databases.
$15 adm. 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs
21:00 - Piscataway - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Rutgers Univ, Schommer Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds.
732-205-0020, www.physics.rutgers.edu/ast/ast-serin.html


Wed 3 Dec
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show
Live skyshow of rocket trip to the Moon. $17, incl mus adm.
212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs Thu - 8 Nov
15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture
251 Mercer St. Various topics in geophysics and earth
science. Free. caos.cims.nyu.edu,
16:00 - City College - MH - science lecture
Marshak Hall, Rm 418N. Various topics in physics and
astronomy. Free. www.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/physics/calendar,
, 212-650-6832
16:45 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
Rutgers Univ, Phys Lectr Hall. Free. 732-445-3974,
www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium
18:00 - CUNY Graduate Center - MH - science lecture
'The role of fashion in mathematics: how an important theorem
was lost for 150 years'. Free. 212-817-8481,

19:30 - Greenwich - CT - Astro Soc of Greenwich meeting
Bruce Museum. Free. , www.seocom.com/asg,
203-896-6786-x338
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing
Wesleyan U, Van Vleck Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds.
860-685-3664, www.wesleyan.edu/astro/events
20:00 - Union Hall - BK - Secret Science Club meeting
702 Union St, 5 Av. Lecture and music on various science
topics. Free. secretscienceclub.blogspot.com, 718-638-4400,
www.unionhallny.com/events
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing
Westport Astro Soc. Rolnick Obsy. Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting
Vanderbilt Plm. Free. www.asliclub.org, /
21:00 - Poughkeepsie - NY - clearsky starviewing
Vassar College, Observatory. Free, cancelled for clouds.
physicsandastronomy.vassar.edu/observatory.html,
845-437-7340

Thu 4 Dec
19:00 - St Paul's Lutheran Ch - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
TOPIC: PLANETARY CONJUNCTIONS
Combined meeting with Natl Spc Soc-NYC Chap
315 W 22nd St & 8 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show &
tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies
territory. Free. , www.nyskies.org,
212-273-5958
19:00 - St Paul's Luthrn Ch - MH - Natl Spc Soc meeting
TOPIC: PLANETARY CONJUNCTIONS
Combined meeting with NYSkies Astronomy Inc
315 W 22nd St & 8 Av. Discussion of astro/space topics, show
& tell, skywatching reports, news of astro/space activity in
NYC vicinity. Free. chapters.nss.org/ny/nyc,

19:00 - Upr Montclair - NJ - clersky starviewing
No Jersey Astro Gp. Montclair St Univ, Richardson Hall.
Free, cancelled for clouds. njastro.org, 973-655-7266,

20:00 - Lincroft - NJ - S*T*A*R meeting
Brookdale Commty Coll, Mommouth Museum. Free.
www.starastronomy.org,
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 3

Fri 5 Dec
14:00 - Columbia Univ - MH - ISCAP meeting
Inst for Strings, Cosmlgy, and Astropartcl Phys. Pupin Hall,
Rm 908. Discussion of cosmology and string theory. Free.
www.iscap.columbia.edu
14:30 - New York University - MH - astronomy lecture
Meyer Hall, 5th fl. Various topics in astrophys and
relativity. Free. physics,nyu.edu, ,
212-998-7706
15:30 - Palisades - NY - science lecture
Lamont-Doherty Earth Obsy, Monell Audm. Various topics in
geophysics and earth science. Free, 845-365-8634,
www.ldeo.columbia.edu, ,
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show
Hudson Rv Mus, Andrus Plm. 19:00 show is free, sponsored by
FujiFilm USA Inc. Free, different topics each Friday.
www.hrm.org, 914-963-4550
19:00 - Jones Bh St Pk - LI - astronomy lecture
Amat Obsrs Soc. Roosevelt Natr Ctr, Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. $3 fee, advd regn reqd. www.aosny.org,
, 516-679-7254
19:00 - Bethany - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of New Haven. Yale Univ, Bethany Obsy. Free,
cancelled for clouds. www.asnh.org,
19:00 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture
Pupin Hall, signs to levture room. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach,
212-854-3278,
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting
Union Co Coll, Sperry Obsy. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asterism.org
19:30 - Stony Brook - LI - astronomy lecture
SUNY Stony Brook, Earth & Spc Sci Hall. Indoor lecture,
clearsky starviewing. Free. www.ess.sunysb.edu/astro,
631-632-8100,
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing
PLUS OCCASIONAL EXTRA SESSIONS; INQUIRE AT CONTACTS
Weekends. Top of the Lawn. North side of Great Lawn. Free
cancelled for clouds. , www.nyskies.org
20:00 - Yonkers - NY - Westchester Amat Astro meeting
Hudson Rv Mus, Andrus Plm. Free.
www.westchesterastronomers.org,

20:00 - Floyd Bennett Field - BK - clearsky starviewing
Natl Park Svc. Model airplane flying field. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.nyskies.org, ,

20:00 - Stratford - CT - Boothe Meml Astro Soc mtg
Boothe Meml Pk, Obsy. Free. www.bmas.org,
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing
Stamford Obsy. $3 adm, cancelled for clouds.
www.stamfordmuseum.org, , 203-322-6537

Sat 6 Dec
all day - Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT - MH - subway reconstruction
Every Saturday. Indefinite duration. Many Lwr Manh and
Bklyn Downtown subways are under major work at various
hours. Check posters and flyers for your routes.
www.mta.info/nyct/service/lower_manh cccc
15:00 - Danbury - CT - astronomy lecture
Also 17:00. W Conn St Uv, Plm/Obsy. Indoor plm show,
clearsky starviewing at 20:00. Free. www.wcsu.edu/starwatch,
203-837-8671,
20:00 - Middletown - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of Gtr Hartford, Wesleyan U, Van Vleck Obsy. Free,
cancelled for clouds. www.asgh.org, 860-872-9069,

20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture
Bergen Commty Coll, Buehler Obsy. Free.
www.bergen.edu/buehler, .
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting
Custer Instt. Free. www.custerobservatory.org,

20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5

Sun 7 Dec
all day - Lwr Manh-Bklyn DT - MH - subway reconstruction
Every Sunday. Indefinite duration. Many Lwr Manh and
Bklyn Downtown subways are under major work at various
hours. Check posters and flyers for your routes.
www.mta.info/nyct/service/lower_manh cccc
13:15 - Uniondale - LI - Amat Obsrs Soc meeting
Nassau Commty Coll, Bdg F, Room 123. Free. www.aosny.org,

18:00 - Hempstead - LI - clearsky starviewing
Hofstra University, Chem-Phys Bdg, Rm 117. Free, cancelled
for clouds. 516-463-2759, www.hofstra.edu/Academics,

18:00 - Cornelia St Cafe' - MH - Entertaining Science show
29 Cornelia St & W 4 St, Play & music on various science
themes. $10 adm. www.corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319
19:30 - Boonton - NJ - Sheep Hill Astro Assn meeting
Boonton Town Hall. Free. www.uacnj.org/clubs/shaa.htm,

20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5

Mon 8 Dec
12:00 - Queens College - QN - science lecture - see Dec 1
17:30 - PicNic cafe' - MH - Cafe' Science lecture
2665 Broadway & 101 St. Supper/chat with Columbia Univ
profs on sci topics. $10 fee, incl 1 drink, + own meal.
212-222-8222, alumni.columbia.edu/learn/s3_6.html,

18:00 - Cunard Building - MH - sceince lecture
Center for Worker Education. 25 Broadway, 7th floor. 'The
role
of clouds in Earth's climate'. Free. 212-925-6625,
www1.ccny.cuny.edu/prospective/cwe
18:30 - CUNY Graduate Center - MH - science lecture
'Interantional polar year celebration'. Free. 212-817-8215,
web.gc.cuny.edu/cepp,

Tue 9 Dec
11:00 - Princeton - NJ - Inst Advd Stud lecture - see Dec 2
19:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing
Astro Soc of Greenwich. Julian Curtis Elem Schl, Bowman
Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. ,
www.seocom.com/asg, 203-896-6786-x338
19:30 - White Plains - NY - science lecture
Earth Instt. White Plains Liby, 100 Martine Av. 'What's the
big deal with one degree?'. Free. ,
www.columbia.edu/cu/climatesociety,
20:00 - Princeton - NJ - Amat Astro Assn of Princeton meeting
Princeton U, Peyton Hall. Free. www.princetonastronomy.org,
609-737-2575,

Wed 10 Dec
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Dec 3
15:30 - Courant Institute - MH - science lecture - Dec 3
16:00 - City College - MH - science lecture - see Dex 3
16:15 - Columbia University - MH - astronomy lecture
Pupin Hall, Rm 1332. Free. www.astro.columbia.edu/outreach,
212-854-3278,
20:00 - Upr Montclair - NJ - No Jersey Astro Gp meeting
Montclair St Univ, Richardson Hall, Room 232. Free.
njastro.org, 973-655-7266,
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 3
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Dec 3

Thu 11 Dec
02:30 - whole City - NH - Pleiades occultation
Occultation of Pleiades. Moon is 2 days before full, 97%
illum, 159d E elong. Timetable for Dec 10-11 in NYC:
----------------------------------------------------
PLEIADES OCCULTATION FOR NEW YORK ON 2008 DECEMBER 11
================================================== ===
EST | event | alt-az | remarks
--------+-------------------+--------+----------
14h25m | moonrise | 0 59 | on Dec 10
16 28 | sunset | 0 240 |
17 33 | nautical twilight | -- --- | night begins
22 09 | Moon culminates | 70 180 |
00 00 | midnight | -- --- | Dec 10 - Dec 11
02 46 | Celaeno immersion | 33 275 | CA +71S, PA 108
02 56 | Taygeta immersion | 31 277 | CA +74N, PA 73
03 10 | Maia immersion | 28 279 | CA +84S, PA 95
03 15 | Electra near miss | 27 279 | CA +03S, PA 176
03 17 | Asterope immersion| 27 280 | CA +57N, PA 56
03 53 | Taygeta emersion | 20 285 | CA -80N, PA 279
04 07 | Maia emersion | 18 287 | CA -78S, PA 257
06 04 | moonset | 0 304 |
06 04 | nautical twilight | -- --- | night ends
07 08 | sunrise | 0 120 | on Dec 11
------------------------------------------------
09:00 - New York University - MH - science convference
NY Lg Conservtn Voters, Kimmel Ctr, Rm 914. 'Greening the
Empire State: nuclear power'. Free. www.nylcvef.org,
212-361-6350,
17:30 - Sci Ind Biz Liby - MH - science lecture
'Electric power: traditional and potential future options'.
Free. 212-592-7000, www.nypl.org/research/sibl
18:00 - NYPL Bloomingdale - MH - science lecture
Earth Instt, 190 W 100 St. 'Did we do that?: natural and man-
made causes of climate change'. Free. ,
www.columbia.edu/cu/climatesociety,
19:00 - Upr Montclair - NJ - clersky starviewing - see Dec 4
19:30 - Morristown - NJ - Morris Mus Astro Soc mtg
Morris Museum. Free. 973-386-1848, ,
http://www.morrismuseum.org/static/e...ronomical.html
19:30 - Rifle Camp Park - NJ - Passaic Co Astro Assn meeting
Nature Center. Free. www.users.nac.net/gburke/PCAA,
973-523-0024
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 3

Fri 12 Dec
14:00 - Columbia Univ - MH - ISCAP meeting - see Dec 5/
15:00 - Piscataway - NJ - astronomy lecture
Rutgers Univ, Serin Lab, Rm 385E. Free. 732-445-3974,
www.physics.rutgers.edu/colloquium
15:30 - Palisades - NY - science lecture - see Dec 5
19:00 - Toms River - NJ - Astro Soc of Toms Rv Area mtg
Ocean Co Coll, College Ctr, Solar Lounge. Free.
www.astra-nj.org, 732-255-0343,
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Dec 5
19:15 - New York University - MH - Physics Club of NY meeting
Silver Ctr, Rm 207. Jointly with Chemistry Teacher's Club.
Free, bring GI photo ID for campus security..
, www.sconyc-ny.org
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Dec 5
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5
20:00 - West Nyack - NY - Rockland Astro Club lecture
Clarkstown South Plm, Free, ,
www.rocklandastronomy.com, 201-768-3298

Sat 13 Dec
XX:XX - Toms River - NJ - astronomy show
HOUR NOT SET YET; INQUIRE AT CONTACT
Ocean Co Coll, Student Ctr, Solar Lounge. astro book sale,
workshops, portable planetrium shows. Free. 732-255-0343,
www.ocean.edu/campus/planetarium,
13:30 - Amer Musm Natl Hist - MH - science tour
Roosevelt Rotunda. Walk thru exhibits and displays relating
to
global climate. Free with musm adm. www.amnh.org/programs,
212-769-5100
15:00 - Danbury - CT - astronomy lecture - see Dec 6
20:00 - New Milford - CT - astronomy lecture
McCarthy Obsy, New Miford HS. Indoor lecture, clearsky
starviewing. free. www.mccarthyobservatory.org,
860-354-1595, ,
20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Dec 6
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Dec 6
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5

Sun 14 Dec
12:00 - Bethany - CT - CT Tripoli Rocketry Assn meeting
Bethany Town Hall. Free. www.ctra-narconn.org,
860-583-1690
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5

Mon 15 Dec
12:00 - Queens College - QN - science lecture - see Dec 1

Tue 16 Dec
19:00 - Coll of Staten Is - SI - clearsky starviewing
Astrophys Obsy. Free, cancelled for clouds. 718-982-2818,
, supernova7.apsc.csi.cuny.edu
19:30 - New Paltz - NY - Mid Hudson Astro Assn meeting
SUNY New Paltz, Coykendall Audm. Free. 845-485-5669,
www.midhudsonastro.org,
20:00 - Westport - CT - Westport Astro Soc meeting
Rolnick Obsy. Free. www.was-ct.org, 203-227-0925

Wed 17 Dec
all day - whole City - MH - 'Day the earth stood still' cinema
various theaters and hours. Modernization of 1951 classic sci-
fi movie. Anyone remember the code words that saved Earth in
original film? varous tkt prices. Check local vinema news.
10:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Field Trip to the Moon show - see Dec 3
19:30 - New Britain - CT - Astro Soc of Gtr Hartford meeting
Centl Conn St Uv, Copernicus Plm. Free, www.asgh.org,
860-872-9069,
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 3
20:30 - Centerport - LI - Astro Soc of LI meeting - see Dec 3

Thu 18 Dec
19:00 - St Paul's Lutheran Ch - MH - NYSkies Astronomy Seminar
TOPIC: ORBITS AROUND EARTH
Combined meeting with Natl Spc Soc-NYC Chap
315 W 22nd St & 8 Av. Discussion of astronomy topics, show &
tell, skywatching reports, news of astro activity in NYSkies
territory. Free. , www.nyskies.org,
212-273-5958
19:00 - St Paul's Luthrn Ch - MH - Natl Spc Soc meeting
TOPIC: ORBITS AROUND EARTH
Combined meeting with NYSkies Astronomy Inc
315 W 22nd St & 8 Av. Discussion of astro/space topics, show
& tell, skywatching reports, news of astro/space activity in
NYC vicinity. Free. chapters.nss.org/ny/nyc,

19:00 - Waterbury - CT - Mattituck Astro Soc meeting
Naugatuck Vy Commty Coll, Ekstrom Hall. Free.
mastransit.org,
20:00 - Westport - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 3

Fri 19 Dec
14:00 - Columbia Univ - MH - ISCAP meeting - see Dec 5/
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Dec 5
19:30 - Wilcox Pk - NY - clearsky starviewing
Mid Hudson Astro Assn. Free, cancelled for clouds
www.midhudsonastro.org. 845-485-5669,
19:30 - Boonton - NJ - clearsky starviewing
Sheep Hill Astro Assn obsy, Free, cancelled for
clouds. www.uacnj.org/clubs/shaa.htm,
20:00 - Stratford - CT - Boothe Meml Astro Soc mtg - see Dec 5
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5
20:00 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc lecture
Union Co Coll, Smith Audm. Indoor talk, clearsky
starviewing. Free. www.asterism.org

Sat 20 Dec
19:00 - Ward Pound Ridge - NY - clearsky starviewing
Westchester Amat Astro. Meadows Picnic Area. Free, cancelled
for clouds.
www.westchesterastronomers.org,
20:00 - Liberty - NY - clearsky starviewing
Catskills Astro Club. Walnut Mountain Pk. Free, cancelled
for clouds. www.catskillsastro.org, .
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Dec 6
20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Dec 6
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5

Sun 21 Dec
14:00 - Airmont - NY - science show
Lwr Hudson Vy Challenger Ctr, 225 Rt 29. Multimedia
simulation of space missions. $20 adm. www.lhvcc.com,
, 845-257-3416.
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5

Yue 23 Dec
19:00 - Greenwich - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 9

Fri 26 Dec
19:00 - Yonkers - NY - astronomy show - see Dec 5
19:30 - Cranford - NJ - Amat Astro Inc meeting - see Dec 5
20:00 - Stamford - CT - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5

Sat 27 Dec
20:00 - Southold - LI - Custer Instt meeting - see Dec 6
20:00 - Liberty - NY - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 20
20:00 - Paramus - NJ - Buehler-Columbia AAA lecture - see Dec 6
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5

Sun 28 Dec
20:00 - Central Park - MH - clearsky starviewing - see Dec 5

Tue 30 Dec
18:30 - Hayden Plm - MH - Celestial Highlights
Live skyshow of current evening sky. $15 adm.
212-769-5100, www.amnh.org/programs

Wed 31 Dec
23:59 - whole City - MH - addition of leapsecond
A leapsecond is inserted after 23:59:59 UT to bring atomic
and
Earth rottion back in synch. Centralized time services add it
at 18:59:59 EST but local services wait until the ball drops
in Times Square at midnight. Free.

General news
----------
December has major holidays near their end. This typicly shoves
activity to the front of the month or skips events at the end. This
is
specially the situation for events held at schools, which recess
during these holiday periods.
The String Cosmology conference, a favorite for NYSkiers, is in
January 2009. It usually is in December, but scheduling conflicts
caused a postponement.
Liberty Science Center apparently finished its series 'Pulse of
the planet' that ran for about two years. The last lecture was in may
2008 and no no schedule was issued since then.
International Year of Astronomy clarified in 2008 November its
multiple websites. Each is separate from others with few links among
them.
-------------------------------------------------------
www.astronomy2009.org - only for UK with little content
www.astronomy2009.net - different one for UK, little content
www.astronomy2009.com - forwards to 'www.astronomy2009.org'
www.astronomy2009.us - only for US, under construction
--------------------------------------------------------
Columbia University's Friday lectures may shift rooms, not being
always on the top floor of Pupin Hall. Signs at entrance and in halls
direct you to the lecture room. I revised the entry to note this.
Astronomical Society of Greenwich has new website address
'www.seocom.com/asg', The old one at geocities seems still to be
active but apparently does not link or jump to the new one.
Secret Science Club is back at its old home in Union Hall, Park
Slope BK. It seems that the shift to Bell House was temporary.
Surveillance Camera Players suspended for several months their
walking tours of security cameras around NYC. for a while they had
tours in other towns. They may start up again with the massive
installation of hundreds of new cameras (and other sensors!) thruout
Lower Manhattan.
It is NOW the time to get about lining up your events for
January!
The yearend period is the toughest time to compile NYC Events.
Sponsor
and host staff are away, the facility may be closed, and, now with
the
downswing of the economy, arrangements may finalize at the last
minute, possibly with abrupt unexpected changes.
2009 is International Year of Astronomy. IYA includes NYC Events
in its resources to promote astronomy. Please review your entries and
give me corrections. Pay special attention to contacts and dates set
'by rule'. When IYA sends NYC Events in reply to inquiries about
astronomy services in the New York region, it, and I!, want it have
the current correct information for your events.

Event news
--------
NYSkies Astro Seminar on November 6th hosted Paul Roseman,
National Space Society, to discuss solar power obtained from orbiting
space stations. He outlined some aspects of a gigantic photovoltaic
field in geostationary orbit and how it could be constrcuted. A vivid
Q&A followed.
The Seminar on the 20th was a double feature! The set topic was
'Exploration of the Moon', almost pushed aside by the news of the new
planet around Fomalhaut. The audience discussed the various
spacecraft
that visited the Moon, from the Soviet Luniks thru the just-arrived
India Chandrayaan-1. The group was all gaga about Fomalhaut for not
only now having a planet, but one that is the very first one ever
imaged in optical light!
Some NYSkiers saw the opera 'Doctor Atomic' or went to the final
spinoff events relating to it. The show 'Uranium and peaches' on
November 10th attracted some NYSkiers, too.
S&T December 2008 issue was delayed two weeks by a printer's
problem. It arrived at readers in early November. It usually comes in
late October. As if to make up, S&T got its January 2009 issue into
readers's hands by mid November!
The time ball that will ring in the new year in Times Square went
on display in Macy's store, the first time ever that the time ball
was
on close-up public exhibit. NYSkiers flocked to see and take pictures
of it. It's at the end of the carpeted midway at the Broadway side of
the store and will be on show until December 10th.
A couple cultural events in November are the opening of the new
Rock and Roll Museum and opening of an updated cinema 'Day the Earth
stood still'. The museum is an annex of the main facility in Ohio but
focuses on New York's brand of music.
The movie is not merely a reissue or a cleaned up master. It's
supposed to be a modern version of how aliens from space will
threaten
us. Oh, well, I put it in for the hell of it, OK?

Sky news
------
The 2009 fall Milky Way season for NYC closed on November 30th
with no more sightings. We had only the one definite sighting of the
Milky Way on October 21-22. Weather really has not been good enough
in
November, altho nights were suitable for regular starviewing.
An extra dense fog sat over NYSkies turf on November 14th.
Visibility was litterally only a fe METERS! Airports and highways
closed, Road and rail traffic was severely delayed. Fog thinned after
about 8AM and cleared up by 9 to 10 AM.
The first frost in the City came on November 19th when
temperatures slided to about -5C. The surrounding districts had their
first frosts earlier or in October, some with deep snow up to 20 cm.
Fomalhaut drew extra admiration since November 13th, when its
planet was announced, from being now the 2nd brightest planetary
star,
Fomalhaur has the honor of having the first extrasolar planet ever
photographed. There's a difference between having a 'hidden' planet
and one that's out in plain sight. even if it did take a deep image
by
Hubble to see it. After all, now there's the genuine prospect that
people on that planet could be staring at our Sun to see Earth.
Jupiter was rapidly sliding into twilight during November, on his
way to meet Venus on December 1st. Venus was slowly climbing into
higher darker sky in evening, now spotted by pretty much every one
who
looked for her. The two meet on December 1st and are joined by the 3-
day old Moon. Look in southwest starting at dusk.
Apparently no one went crazy with the change back to Eastern
Standard Time on November 2nd. People just let the automatic clocks
do
their thing in October and manually set other clocks on the new date.
The toolbag lost at ISS on November 18 became a bright Earth
satellite! It's in an erratic orbit continously altering. Check your
satellite news for latest passes. As at Nov 25 the bag ranged between
6th and 8th magnitude, within reach of binoculars from the City.
As at late November, astronomers had in hand their Observer's
Handbook from early requests. Requests are still coming in and will
be
filled until supply is exhausted, which may be in mid December.