ASTRONOMY OBSERVATION SESSIONS GUIDE
FOR
AST100 & AST102
AT THE COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND
OBSERVING SESSION REQUIREMENT(OSR)

You are required to participate in observing for your lecture grade.

Your observing grade (15% of your term average) will be determined by the number and quality
of observations you make.

Each observing session report will be completed on the forms below.

You must make observations on three (3) different occasions.

They each consist of observing three (3) objects, sketching an image of the objects, and writing a
short description of the objects.

All reports are expected to be college quality.
OSR SUBSTITUTES

A FIELD TRIP to the American Museum of Natural History / Hayden Planetarium can earn you the
equivalent of up to two observing session reports or significant extra credit (details below).

A TERM PAPER can replace this observing obligation (details below).
Note: The OSR Substitutes are intended to be more work and take longer.
Observing  1
IMPORTANCE OF SKY CONDITIONS
All observing sessions are contingent upon the weather. If it is raining, snowing, storming of any type or
very cloudy, it is unlikely an observing session will take place. Partly cloudy or sudden sky changes that
clear up the atmosphere usually mean there will be a session. If the sky is questionable, you can call in some
places (see below). It is best to go when skies are very blue, the air is dry during the day and the weather
reports are for fair clear skies during the night. The latter is especially true for the sites that are further away.
SAFETY WARNINGS AND COMFORT TIPS

Please DRESS WARMLY in the winter months (winter coat, hat, scarf, gloves), as the observatory is
not heated while operating. EXTREME COLD (below freezing) usually cancels an event.

NOTE: You will be in cold air outside or even in an observatory (which has no heat) it can be very cold
as you wait around for your turn at a telescope. Hot (non-alcoholic) drinks (hot chocolate) help!

The use of white flashlights, smoking, eating or drinking is not permitted at any observatory.

Students should come prepared with their required observing form and an optional red flashlight.

Parents and children over the age of five are welcomed, but please be sure to supervise your children.

It is suggested that you come as a group of 2 or more for added safety on late night observing here or
elsewhere.

Everyone (particularly women) should go with companion(s) to any observing session or field trip (this
is the NYC area). You may find yourself leaving an observatory, observing area (like a beach) or
museum alone and in the dark and no one should not be in that situation.
DO NOT SHOW UP WITH AN UMBRELLA ON A RAINY DAY
AT AN OBSERVING SITE AND EXPECT TO GET CREDIT!
2 Observing
Observing Sessions And Observatories To Complete Your OSR
You must get a signature from a person in charge on your observing report sheet to prove you were there!
Make sure the report is dated.

Staten Island
1. College of Staten Island — Astrophysical Observatory — Monday nights
982 3260
2. Amateur Astronomers Association of NY — Great Kills Park — select Saturday nights
For session information call 212 535 2922 or visit http://www.aaa.org
Special number for Staten Island 390 3432

Brooklyn
1. Amateur Astronomers Association of NY — Floyd Bennet Field —– select Friday nights
For session information call 212 535 2922 or visit http://www.aaa.org

Manhattan
1. Amateur Astronomers Association of NY — Carl Schultz Park —
select Friday nights & Saturday days (solar)
For session information call 212 535 2922 or visit http://www.aaa.org

New Jersey
1. Sperry Observatory at Union County College — Cranford — every clear Friday night
908 276 7827 or 908 709 7520
2. Robinson Observatory — Voorhees State Park — seasonal Saturday nights & Sunday
afternoons
908 638 8500
3. Jenny Jump State Park Observatory — seasonal Saturday nights
State Park Number 908 459 9813
Observing  3
OBSERVATORIES AND SITE DETAILS
STATEN ISLAND
College of Staten Island — Astrophysical Observatory — Monday nights
Director: Irving K. Robbins
718 982 3260
Public programs by Staff Scientist: Keith J. Rowan
http://supernova7.apsc.csi.cuny.edu/
Specific notes about observing at the CSI Astrophysical Observatory
Clear Monday nights are used. If the sky is predominantly cloudy or if it is raining or snowing, then the
session for that evening is canceled. If you are unsure of the sky conditions and want to confirm if the event
is on, please call the observatory at 982 3260 one hour prior to the scheduled opening on the night in
question. The observatory may close earlier than 11:00pm on nights when the weather makes observing
difficult or impossible, such as clouds, rain, extreme cold temperatures, or when wind chill effects may pose
a winter health hazard. It is suggested that you arrive before 9:30pm on very cold nights to ensure
completion of an observing run.
Amateur Astronomers Association of NY — Great Kills Park — select Saturday nights
Saturday evening “deep sky” (no visible moon!) observing sessions are sponsored by The Staten Island
Chapter of the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York City, Inc. Observing sessions are conditions
permitting, of course: These are given at Great Kills Park (Gateway National Park) in the model airplane
flying field. Sessions begin just after sunset until about 10:00pm: Enter the park from Hylan Boulevard —
about a third of mile down the main road is the side road marked with RED markers to the airplane flying
field. Take that road all the way back and park our car with the other folks on the left. WATCH YOUR
HEADLIGHTS LIGHTS and FOR PEDESTRIANS. For more information call 390 3432.
BROOKLYN
Amateur Astronomers Association of NY — Floyd Bennet Field — select Friday nights
Friday night observing sessions are sponsored by The Brooklyn Chapter of the Amateur Astronomers
Association of New York City, Inc. Observing sessions are conditions permitting, of course: Directions
follow on next page with a detailed map of Floyd Bennett Field (part of Gateway National Park). Make sure
you follow the directions and map carefully and go to the site by car. If you get lost, look for the Parks
Police; they can guide you to the observing sites. All events start at 8:00 pm. NOTE: some days have
scheduled rain dates. Call 212 535 2922 for more info.
4 Observing
MANHATTAN
Amateur Astronomers Association of NY — Carl Shultz Park — select Friday nights & Saturday days
Evening observing or solar observing session are sponsored by the Amateur Astronomers Association of
New York City, Inc. Carl Shultz Park is located at E86th Street and The East River. (Next to and south of
Gracie Mansion (Mayor’s home). Saturday Day sessions are from noon to 2pm. Call 212 535 2922 for
more info.
NEW JERSEY
Sperry Observatory at Union County College — Cranford — every clear Friday night
Sperry Observatory is open to the public every Friday night sponsored by the Amateur Astronomers, Inc. at
the Cranford Campus of Union County College. A lecture series is also held once a month. A map for
directions follows. The best route is to take the Garden State Parkway North to Exit 137  North Av. 
Springfield Ave  then follow map. The travel time is about 35 minutes from CSI. For more information
call 908 276 7827 or 908 709 7520.
Robinson Observatory — Voorhees State Park — seasonal Friday nights and Saturday afternoons
Observing sessions at the Robinson Observatory in Voorhees State Park are sponsored by the New Jersey
Astronomical Association. The Robinson Observatory is open to the public each Saturday evening and
Sunday afternoon (solar observing) from May through October (Memorial Day to Halloween) and the 4th
Saturday evening of the month during the winter — weather permitting. Make sure weather is perfect before
going on this field trip. The state park is also about 1½ hr from campus. Check a New Jersey map for the
location. By car, go to 78 West (NJ TurnpikeExit 14 or Outerbridge Crossing287 North78 West);
from 78 West, exit to Route 31 North and then take 513 North (look for signs); just after the town of
Highbridge NJ, make a left and go to the top of the hill (observatory location); see map that follows. For
more info, call 908 638 8500.
Jenny Jump State Park Observatory — seasonal Saturday nights
Observing sessions are held every Saturday from Mid-April to mid-October on a mountain with excellent
dark skies. Make sure weather is perfect before going on this field trip. The state park is about 1¼ hr from
campus. Check a New Jersey map for the location. By car, go to Route 80 (SUGGESTION: 280 connection
from the NJ Turnpike) and get off at exit 12; go towards Hope NJ; left at light in Hope (look for signs to
State Park); make first right after crossing small bridge (travel 2 miles) then make left onto Farview Road; 1
mile to observatory cutoff (look for sign to observatory). For park info, call 908 459 9813.
See also Astronomy Magazine for special astronomical events
that can take place within a reasonable driving time from the campus.
Observing  5
New directions and map to Floyd Bennett Field MODEL Airplane site
by Stephen Lieber
see map below
The entrance to Floyd Bennet Field is on Flatbush Avenue. It is 1.25 miles south of the Belt Parkway (exit
11-S). The entrance is at the traffic light just before the toll plaza for the Marine Parkway Bridge (to the
Rockaways). Once inside you will see a visitor center and parking lot on the right side. Once inside the
Park turn left on to the main road that runs past the hangers.
Drive along this road till it ends (1.0 miles). Make a right turn on to the runway. HINT: After the guardrail
ends there is a bicycle path which is on your right side. This bicycle path stops at the entrance to the correct
runway. Do not make too sharp a turn. About ½ mile down the runway you can turn left onto another
runway. On the left side are bleachers and tables. This is where we will meet.
Some people usually setup early. Look for our cars.
NOTE: All evening activities require a permit. Please use Floyd Bennet field only during scheduled
activities. Meetings are cancelled if the temperature is below freezing.
6 Observing
Map for Sperry Observatory at Union County College in Cranford NJ
Observing  7
Map for Robinson Observatory at Voorhees State Park in Highbridge NJ
8 Observing