I’m pleased to have obtained the official schedule for Bob Piekiel’s growing observing and lecture programs for the 2016 season and have added them to the CNYO Calendar. For those who have not had the pleasure of hearing one of his lectures, attending one of his observing sessions, or reading one of his many books on scope optics (or loading the CD containing the massive Celestron: The Early Years), Bob Piekiel is not only an excellent guide but likely the most knowledgeable equipment and operation guru in Central New York.
Notes On Baltimore Woods Sessions:
The Baltimore Woods events calendar is updated monthly. As such, I’ve no direct links to the sessions below. Therefore, as the event date nears, see the official Calendar Page for more information and any updates on the event.
Also…
* Registration for these events are required. Low registration may cause programs to be canceled.
* $5 for members, $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/family.
* To Register By Email: info@baltimorewoods.org
* To Register By Phone: (315) 673-1350
Baltimore Woods:
* January 8 (Fri.)/9 (Sat. weather alternate), 7-9 p.m. (meetup.com)
Winter skies at their finest, with the many bright clusters and nebulae surrounding the constellation of Orion. The planet Uranus will be visible as well, and maybe a few leftover Quadrantid meteors.
* February 5 (Fri.)/6 (Sat. weather alternate), 7-9 p.m.
Winter skies again, with the many beautiful sights surrounding the constellation Orion. Another good look at the planet Uranus, and we may get our first peek at Jupiter as it rises in the east.
* February 27 (Sat.)/28 (Sun. weather alternate), 1-3 p.m.
Solar program in the parking lot.
* March 4 (Fri.)/5 (Sat. weather alternate), 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Jupiter will be about as close to earth as it gets, so it will be bigger and brighter than any other time in the upcoming year. Come see the king of the planets, plus a final look at the bright winter skies.
* April 15 (Fri.)/16 (Sat. weather alternate), 6-9 p.m. (Notice the early start time!)
This will be our best chance to see the planet Mercury, as it will be as high in the western sky after sunset as it ever gets. Jupiter will be visible, plus a bright moon. While the moon will blot out faint objects, this will be a great night to view the planets!
* Monday, May 9, 8-10 a.m.
Rare Transit of Mercury Across the Sun. The planet Mercury will move directly between the Earth and the Sun. Viewers with telescopes and approved solar filters will be able to observe the dark disk of the planet Mercury moving across the face of the Sun. This is an extremely rare event that occurs only once every few years. There will be one other transit of Mercury in 2019 and then the next one will not take place until 2039. (Venus will also be visible right near the sun as well).
* June 10 (Fri.)/11 (Sat. weather alternate), 9:00-11:00 p.m.
The start of Summer skies, with the planet Jupiter in good view, and Mars about as close to earth as it will get for the year.
* July 22 (Fri.)/23 (Sat. weather alternate), 9:00-11:00 p.m.
Summer skies at their finest, with the many rich star clusters and nebulae visible in the direction of the heart of our Milky Way galaxy. Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars will be visible.
* August 12 (Fri.)/13 (Sat. weather alternate), 8:30-11:00 p.m.
The annual persied meteor shower, one of the year’s finest. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to recline on while not looking through a telescope. Great views of the summer Milky way, with the planets Mars Jupiter, Venus and Saturn visible.
* August 27 (Sat.)/28 (Sun. weather alternate), 1:00-3:00 p.m.
SOLAR VIEWING PROGRAM. Using special telescopes, come and see solar flares, prominences, sunspots, and magnetic storms on our nearest star, the sun!
* September 9 (Fri.)/10 (Sat. weather alternate), 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Say goodbye to summer skies, and view the softer constellations of Autumn. Neptune will be visible, as well maybe our last look at Saturn before it sets. Venus is getting bigger and brighter. We will also get a good look at the first-quarter moon, displaying a wealth of craters and mountain ranges.
* October 21 (Fri.)/22 (Sat. weather alternate), 8:00-10:00 p.m.
The Orionid meteor shower peaks at this time, plus Venus, Uranus and Neptune are in great viewing positions. The fall skies, with their many bright galaxies, will be visible through telescopes. Bring a lawn chair to lie back and watch for meteors.
* November 4 (Fri.)/5 (Sat. weather alternate), 7:00-9:30 p.m.
This is the night of the Taurid meteor shower. Venus, Uranus and Neptune will be visible, as well as the start of the winter skies, with their bright nebulae and star clusters. Bring a lawn chair to lie back and watch for meteors.
*December 13 (Tue.)/14 (Wed. weather alternate), 7:00-10:00 p.m.
This is the night of the Geminid meteor shower, the year’s finest. Even though the moon will be nearly full, many Geminids are so bright they can still be seen. Bring a lawn chair to lie back and watch for meteors, and enjoy telescope views of some of the brightest winter star clusters and nebulae. Depending on the tree line, we MIGHT get a quick peek at Mercury just as it gets dark. Uranus and Neptune will be visible all evening. Venus will be a bold crescent just before dark.
Green Lakes:
* January 9 (Sat.)/10 (Sun. weather alternate), 1-3 p.m. (meetup.com)
Come view our nearest star, the sun, close up in special telescopes that give interesting views of solar flares, eruptions, and sunspots. At the parking lot behind the main office building.
* February 26 (Fri.)/27 (Sat. weather alternate), 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Come see the winter skies at their finest! The area around the constellation of Orion has more bright stars, nebulae, and clusters than any other part of the sky, plus, the planet Jupiter will be in good view as well. At the parking lot behind the main office.
* July 29 (Fri.)/30 (Sat. weather alternate), 8:00-10:30 p.m.
The summer skies are at their finest, when we can look directly into the center of the Milky Way galaxy, and see it’s many rich star clusters and nebulae. The Delta Aquarids meteor shower peaks that night, and Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars will be visible. We might even get a peek at Mercury.
* August 26 (Fri.)/27 (Sat. weather alternate), 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Summer skies again, Plus a stunning conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in the west on those nights, and Mars and Saturn also.
Clark Reservation:
* July 8 (Fri.)/9 (Sat. weather alternate), 8:00-10:30 p.m.
Planets, stars, and a crescent moon! The summer skies are at their finest, when we can look directly into the center of the Milky Way galaxy, and see it’s many rich star clusters and nebulae. Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars will be visible. We might even get a peek at Mercury.
* August 13 (Sat.)/14 (Sun. weather alternate), 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Solar program! Using special telescopes, come and see solar flares, prominences, sunspots, and magnetic storms on our nearest star, the Sun!
Greetings fellow astrophiles!
Presenter: 
