Member Reports

Hamptons Observatory Needs Your Help

By Donna McCormick posted 4 days ago
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This is the season when many worthy nonprofit organizations ask for your help. We’re doing the same. The main difference is that their annual appeal goals are in the six figures, while ours is far more modest--our annual budget is still only $25K a year. But year we need donors to be extra generous. Why? We’re facing the added expense (possibly upwards of $50K) of building a new observatory structure. For years, we've been trying to get up and running with a 45+ year old, used (by two previous owners) and battered building to house our 20” research-grade telescope (good news: it still works!). Despite extensive repair efforts by a skilled team of volunteers ...
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“Comets and Interstellar Visitors: Exploring the Dynamic Sky” (A Free, Virtual Lecture)

By Donna McCormick posted 7 days ago
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On January 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM, ET, Hamptons Observatory and co-host Suffolk County Community College will present a free, virtual lecture by Dr. Ariel Graykowski, a research scientist from the SETI Institute who will talk about comets, interstellar visitors such as 3I/ATLAS and its unique features, as well as how professionals and citizen scientists are collaborating in an effort to learn more about our universe. Registration is required for this free, virtual lecture: https://bit.ly/DynamicSkyTalk From icy visitors from the outer solar system to rare interstellar interlopers like 3I/ATLAS, comets are among the most dynamic ...
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Winter Stargazing: A Journey Through the Night Sky (A Free, In-Person Lecture & Star Party)

By Donna McCormick posted 14 days ago
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Learn about the wonders of your universe and what’s up in the sky this winter! On Saturday, November 29th, at 5:00 PM, NASA Solar System Ambassador, William Francis Taylor, will present a free in-person lecture, “Winter Stargazing: A Journey Through the Night Sky.” The talk will be held at the Eastville Community Historical Society in Sag Harbor. If you only want to attend the star party (weather permitting) just drop by between 6:00 and 8:00 PM and join Hamptons Observatory’s astronomers as they provide guided tours of the night sky through telescopes—feel free to bring your own!. For further info and to register visit: https://HamptonsObservatory. ...
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Man on the Moon

By Clarence G. Underwood posted 10-11-2025
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Hi, This image was captured at 10:21 PM PDT on October 9, 2025. The image of the moon was projected from a 80 mm short tube refractor into an iPhone X camera. It was a cloudy night and the clouds were positioned in such a way that they formed the man on the moon which just happens to look like me! Look closely! I was out trying to see the Occultation of the Pleiades. I got an Occultation of the Moon by me! (Smile) Clear skies, Clarence PS, I did manipulate the image a bit, but it was just clouds and the moon that I worked with!
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Hubble's Night Sky Challenge: October 2025

By Andee Sherwood posted 10-02-2025
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Hubble's Night Sky Challenge For October (Northern and Southern hemispheres) Hubble's Night Sky Challenge is a year-round observing adventure for amateur astronomers to commemorate 35 years of Hubble science and discoveries. This challenge can also serve as a guide for star parties. Helpful Tips Some objects may be visible from most locations on Earth, while others are only visible at specific latitudes and may not be accessible for those in other parts of the world. This page has two lists of recommended targets: one for the Northern Hemisphere and another for the Southern Hemisphere. For best results, we recommend using the list that ...
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Video - What's Up: October 2025 Skywatching Tips from NASA

By Andee Sherwood posted 10-01-2025
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The October sky is always filled with wonder and is a great month for stargazers around the world. I have posted the link to NASA/JPL's monthly video called, "What's Up," for your review. These monthly videos are great resources to learn more about which objects and astronomy events will be visible for astronomy beginners and professionals. Follow this link to view the this month's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-MdvqKe33c Also, International Observe The Moon Night takes place on Oct. 4th. Learn more about this event here: IOMN 2025 -Participate Will you be observing the sky this month? What is your favorite object to view in the ...
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“The First Science from the Vera Rubin Observatory” (A Free, Virtual Lecture)

By Donna McCormick posted 09-25-2025
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On October 9th, at 7:00 PM, ET, Hamptons Observatory and co-host Suffolk County Community College will present a free, virtual lecture by Dr. Charles Liu, a professor of astrophysics at the College of Staten Island, the president of the Astronomical Society of NY, a popular podcaster and author of 11 books on astronomy and science. Dr. Liu will talk about the newest international earth-based astrophysical facility, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, and how you can be involved in its mission to explore and understand some of the Universe’s biggest mysteries. Details and registration information may be found on https://HamptonsObservatory.org
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The Ultimate Guide to Observing the Moon - Celestron

By Andee Sherwood posted 09-10-2025
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Did you enjoy the recent full Moon and the lunar eclipse? Anyone howl at the Moon? Our friends at Celestron created a great guide for observing the Moon in 2021. The guide is a great resources for beginners who want to explore the view of the lunar surface and learn more about the Moon. The guide also offers tips and suggestions for eyepieces to improve viewing and more! You can view this guide online by following this link: The Ultimate Guide to Observing the Moon Please share your photos with the community and any stories about your viewing experience. Thank you! #lunar
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Total Lunar Eclipse September 7th, 2025

By Eden Orion posted 09-08-2025
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Many people ask me how the lunar eclipse was yesterday. In one word: perfect! About two hundred participants who came from all over the country. The main reason for this perfection, beyond the weather and even the clouds that cooperated most of the time, are the people who live in Koranit, Israel. From the moment the idea came up to hold an eclipse event in the town, all the organization was done via WhatsApp messages, with the understanding that when someone says they are ready, you can be calm and know that things will happen. As someone who has been involved in several major productions in his life, this calmness is definitely not something that is taken for ...
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September 7–8, 2025 Total Lunar Eclipse

By Andee Sherwood posted 09-05-2025
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Our friends at Time And Date.com provided the following information for the upcoming Lunar Eclipse on Sept. 7, 2025. "The longest total lunar eclipse since 2022. Totality will be visible from Australia, Asia, Africa, and Europe—around 85% of the world’s population has a chance to see this eclipse. Watch it LIVE! Regions seeing, at least, some parts of the eclipse: Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, West in North America, East in South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arctic, Antarctica." ~~~~~~~ Follow this link to learn more about the lunar event and view the many resources, including a timeline map, provided for your convenience: ...
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Final Release - The OneSky Telescope

By Andee Sherwood posted 08-28-2025
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Beginner-friendly. Family-friendly. Impact-friendly. With 130 mm optics and portability, the OneSky makes stargazing effortless...and every purchase backs global astronomy education. Shop Now: https://shop.astronomerswithoutborders.org/.../awb-onesky...
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"Seeing the Night Sky Through Timelapse Photography" (A Free, Virtual Lecture)

By Donna McCormick posted 08-25-2025
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The photo was taken during a storm about 150 miles from Big Bend NP, Texas. It shows the Milky Way arch, as well as atmospheric gravity waves produced by the storm in the green air glow. Credit: George Preoteasa. On September 9th at 7:00 PM, ET, Hamptons Observatory and co-host the Amateur Astronomers Association will present a free virtual lecture by an outstanding astrophotographer and AAA member, George Preoteasa, who’ll talk about “Seeing the Night Sky through Timelapse Photography.” You’ll view his amazing celestial photographs and learn how you, too, can take timelapse photos of the night sky. Details and registration ...
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Wilfred Buck - A Hybrid Documentary Film - ASP2025 Virtual Symposium

By Andee Sherwood posted 08-20-2025
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As part of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific symposium , join us on Wednesday, August 20, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (8:00 PM Eastern) for a special film showing and discussion honoring Cree Elder & Indigenous Astronomer Wilfred Buck , joined by Filmmaker Lisa Jackson and moderator Daniella Scalice, Communications and Engagement Lead for the NASA Astrobiology Program. Registration: https://bit.ly/ ASPWilfredBuck About the film: Seamlessly moving between earth and stars, past and present, Wilfred Buck is a hybrid feature documentary that looks at one man’s life to tell a story that spans generations. Our guide is the charismatic and ...
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Eclipse in Our Shared Sky

By Hira Fatima posted 08-17-2025
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I am delighted to collaborate with Kainaat Studios on their inspiring initiative Eclipse in Our Shared Sky in my role as IAU OAE National Astronomy Education Coordinator for Pakistan and National Coordinator for Astronomers Without Borders . This project is especially close to my heart. On September 7–8, 2025, the lunar eclipse will unfold with totality visible to more than 6 billion people across four continents. At a time when the world often feels divided, this celestial event offers us a rare chance to pause, look up, and share a profound moment of wonder together under one sky. To make this experience truly inclusive, ...
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Inbox Astronomy: NASA Roman Core Survey Will Trace Cosmic Expansion Over Time

By Andee Sherwood posted 08-12-2025
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NASA Roman Core Survey Will Trace Cosmic Expansion Over Time Roman’s High-Latitude Time-Domain Survey will find exploding stars that act as signposts to measure the universe’s expansion and the influence of dark energy. For thousands of years, humanity viewed the skies as unchanging, except for a few “wandering stars” (that we now know are planets). As we improved our ability to perceive the cosmos with light-gathering telescopes and electronic detectors, we realized that the universe is full of things that change in brightness, whether it be an exploding star or a matter-gulping black hole. NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is poised ...
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Hubble's Night Sky Challenges for August

By Andee Sherwood posted 07-31-2025
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Famously known as the Lagoon Nebula, Messier 8 shines by the ionizing ultraviolet radiation of its embedded young stars. Hubble's Night Sky Challenge is a year-round observing adventure for amateur astronomers to commemorate 35 years of Hubble science and discoveries. This challenge can also serve as a guide for star parties. Below, you’ll find a list of Messier and Caldwell night sky targets visible during August that Hubble has imaged over the years for both Northern and Southern Hemisphere observers. Helpful Tips Some objects may be visible from most locations on Earth, while others are only visible at specific latitudes and may not ...
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Hubble's Night Sky Challenge for July

By Michael Cunningham posted 07-16-2025
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Apollo-Soyuz: The Mission & The Astronauts (A Free, Virtual Lecture)

By Donna McCormick posted 07-08-2025
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On July 17th, at 7:00 PM, ET, Hamptons Observatory and co-host Suffolk County Community College will present a free, virtual lecture in celebration of the 50 th Anniversary of the Apollo-Soyuz Mission, the first international human spaceflight, and the first mission carried out by the U.S. and the Soviet Union. NASA/JP L Solar System Ambassador, science reporter and radio show host, Andy Poniros, will take us on a journey from Sputnik to the end of the Apollo program and discuss his personal experiences with the astronauts and others who made it all possible. Details and registration information may be found on https://HamptonsObservato ...
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"සක්වළ'25" - Sakwala’25 (The Universe)

By B.G. Eranga Thilina Jayashantha posted 07-02-2025
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Sakwala’25 - The Theoretical and Practical Astronomy Workshop and the Course General structure and prospectus for the “Sakwala” Theoretical and Practical Astronomy Workshop and the Course § Published by Old Anandian Astronomical Association § Full Title - Sakwala’25, The Theoretical and Practical Astronomy Workshop and the Course § Introduction - Sakwala'25 is an intra-school Theoretical and Practical Astronomy Workshop and the Course organized by the Anandian Astronomical Association and conducted by Old Anandian Astronomical Association exclusively for the students ...
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Introducing: Comet Catchers - Join the Hunt For Comets In Rubin Data!

By Andee Sherwood posted 07-02-2025
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If you love Citizen Science projects, you may enjoy this new project! Try your eye with the *very first* citizen science project on Zooniverse that uses data from NSF-DOE Rubin Observatory, Comet Catchers! We can't think of a more fitting project for #AsteroidDay In this project, you'll help Rubin scientists spot comets in early data collected by the observatory. These fascinating objects are faint and full of secrets about the early Solar System — identifying and studying them helps us understand our origins! Comet Catchers is open to all, no special training required! All you need are curiosity and the desire to ...
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