Click here for the Jupiter and Venus Conjunction Star Party

It was a wonderful night. And those who did not join us, you missed a rare celestial phenomenon. As the full Moon rose, it passed in front of Antares. This only happens for New Yorkers once every 30 years or so. So as the evening wore on, it became clear that the Moon was making mincemeat of the dim Messier objects, and even making naked-eye nighting of the brightest stars difficult.

Steve came up late, an avid amateur who knew his way around the sky. He reminded me about the occultation, so we stayed through the whole thing. I called up Donna to make sure she was OK with me being up at all hours in the Park. Anyway, Antares through a telescope next to the Moon is brilliant. Its distinct red color jumps out next to the stark white and gray of the Moon. As it got closer and closer, we all got excited. Then it was gone! For 25 minutes, the star was behind the Moon as our nearest neighbor whizzed around the Earth.

Well, when it reappeared, Steve and I revelled in it. What a great view! I took a few snaps of it with my blackberry camera held up to the eyepiece. And here is one of them below.

Thanks to Fred for helping me with chalk and with carrying the telescope up the hill. Time for a new transport method.

About Jason Kendall

I am the NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador for New York City. I hold a Master of Science in Astronomy from New Mexico State University and am currently adjunct faculty at William Paterson University. I have led numerous "starwatching parties" and astronomy events in New York City, New Mexico, Minnesota and Texas. It all started way back in the fourth grade by the encouragement of two noted astronomers, Charles Schweighauser and Bart Bok. I saw Saturn through Charlie's telescope at then Sangamon State University on a clear Illinois night, and Bart encouraged me under those stars to study hard to come visit him at Kitt Peak National Observatory. I finally did make it down there about a decade after Bart passed away, and I found the favorite spots in Tucson, Arizona, where Bart and his wife Priscilla would spend when they were not gazing at the stars. Bart and his wife were pioneers in the study of the Milky Way, and their studies of the starforming regions called Bok Globules. It's even in my family. My great-grandfather was a Midwestern minister who used to preach his sermons out under the dark, cloudless nights. He always believed that getting out and experiencing the wonders of the natural world was a central part of being human. My family has always been inspired by his words: "We look up to look within." I hope that you'll join me under the stars or at one of my talks.

Come see what's up in the sky!

Jason Kendall
NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador to New York City

The Inwood Astronomy Project is thankful for the support of the NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassadors Program, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the New York Public Library, the International Year of Astronomy and the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York


We look up to look within