Kunkle Star Party, Saturday, May 26, 2018

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A public star gazing event is scheduled for 8 PM, Saturday, May 26, 2018 at Kunkle Park. Kunkle Park is located behind the Washington Township Municipal Building at 285 Pine Run Church Road, Washington, Twp., PA 15631. Look through the telescopes of Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh volunteers to view the craters and mountians of the Moon, Planets Venus and Jupiter, dissect double stars, see nebula, and more. Upcoming public nights at AAAP observatories include the Mingo Observatory June 8 and 9 Star Parties, Mingo Creek County Park, Washington County  and the June 22 and 23 Wagman Observatory Star Parties, in Deer Lakes Park, Allegheny County.

AAAP Observatory Star Parties, May 18 and 19, 2018

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The Saturday, May 19, 2018 Star Parties at both Wagman and Mingo Observatories are cancelled due to inclement weather.

The Friday, May 18, 2018 Star Party at Wagman Observatory is cancelled due to inclement weather.

AAAP invites the public to enjoy the spring skies and astronomy outreach this weekend at both the Wagman (8:45 PM)  and Mingo (6:30 PM) Observatories on both Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19, nights. Enjoy the planet Jupiter and the Moon half a week past Full. Learn the constellations and bright stars. See distant nebula. View through the large observatory fixed telescopes and through the telescopes and big binoculars of our member volunteers on the the hill. Engage in stimulating discussion of astronomy topics. Learn about telescopes and astronomical observing. These events are free and open to the public. Donations to support continued outreach is appreciated. Check back here  and on AAAP’s Facebook for updates including inclement weather and ground conditions. If in doubt, please call the observatory phone numbers listed below.

Wagman Observatory, 225 Kurn Road, Tarentum, PA 15084  Phone 724-224-2510, Latitude 40.627 degrees N, Longitude 79.813 degrees W .

Mingo Creek Park Observatory, 1 Shelter 10 Road, Finleyville, PA  15332 Phone 724-348-6150, Latitude 40.211 degrees, Longitude -80.020 degrees Declination -9 degrees. 

International Dark Sky Assn.-Pittsburgh Chapter to be hosted by AAAP at Wagman Observatory, 6:30 PM, Thursday, June 7, 2018

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The Pittsburgh Chapter of the International Dark Sky Association will hold a meeting on Thursday, June 7 at 6:30 pm at Wagman Observatory. We’re hoping to discuss new streetlights and strategies for darker skies. Invite friends! Bring portable chairs, if you like. The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh supports dark skies and light pollution outreach.

CANCELLEDMurrysville Community Park Star Party of May 15, 2018

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Cancelled due to forecast of thunderstorms and soggy field conditions. Murrysville Community Park May 15 beginning at 7:30 pm.

4056 Weistertown Rd. Murrysville Pa 15632.AAAP volunteers will engage in a star party at Murrysville Community Park on May 15. Free and Open to the Public. Another, is on the schedule for 7:30, Sunday, September 9, 2018.

New Horizons: Pluto and Beyond, by NASA Mission Specialist Mark Kochte, 7:30 PM, May 11, 2018, Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh May Meeting and Speaker Presentation

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Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will hold the May Meeting and Speaker Presentation at 7:30 PM, May 11, 2018 at the Science Stage, Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.  The meeting lecture is free and open to the public. AAAP is excited to welcome back the most popular Mark Kochte, NASA Mission Specialist with the New Horizons Mission out of Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.  This is one you do not want to miss. Mark will update us on the New Horizons Mission to Pluto and the upcoming invitation to spend New Year’s Day, January 1, 2019 with the NASA’s New Horizons visit to distant  Kuiper Belt Object 2014 Mu69, 44.2 a.u. from the Sun. Mark shares the behind the scene information that along with his excellent presentation skills make  his talks stand out. Be there on Friday to participate in the question and answer and to talk with Mark before and after his presentation. The presentation will be at the top of the evening followed by a break before the business meeting. The annual election of officers is held at this meeting. Members be sure to cast your vote. Afterwards, as always, those interested gather at Max’s on the North Side. Updates here and on AAAP’s Facebook Page. (Note: $5 per vehicle charge for use of parking lot.)

Urban Outreach Star Parties at the Schenley Overlook

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Urban Outreach Star Parties are at the Schenley Overlook unless otherwise noted.

All times are from 9PM-11PM.

May
Sunday 5/6 (Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower) [Rescheduled to Mon., 5/7, due to inclement weather.]
Monday 5/7 (Weather Makeup Date) 
Thursday 5/17
Sunday 5/20 (Weather Makeup Date)
Tuesday 5/29 (Emerald View)
Thursday 5/31 (Emerald View Makeup)

June
Sunday 6/10
Monday 6/11 (Makeup)
Tuesday 6/19
Thursday 6/21 (Makeup)
Friday 6/29 (Emerald View)
Saturday 6/30 (Emerald View Makeup)

July
Friday 7/13
Sunday 7/15 (Makeup)
Sunday 7/22
Monday 7/23 (Makeup)

August
Friday 8/3 (Emerald View)
Saturday 8/4 (Emerald View Makeup)
Saturday 8/11 (County Star Party – Boyce) – New Moon!
Tuesday 8/14
Thursday 8/16 (Makeup)
Friday 8/24
Saturday 8/25 (Makeup)
Tuesday 8/28 (Emerald View)
Thursday 8/30 (Emerald View Makeup)

September
Thursday 9/6
Monday 9/10 (Makeup)
Sunday 9/16
Tuesday 9/18 (Makeup)
Friday 9/30

October
Monday 10/1 (Makeup)
Thursday 10/4
(Emerald View)
Sunday 10/7 (Emerald View Makeup)
Friday 10/12
Sunday 10/14 (Makeup)
Sunday 10/21
Monday 10/22 (Makeup)

November
11/1 (Emerald View – No Makeup Date)

If you would like help learning how to set-up and use your own telescope or binoculars, please feel free to bring them and arrive an hour early. AAAP telescope volunteers will share views through their telescopes.

This free event is being run by the Pittsburgh City Park Rangers. Park ordinances are enforced at all times. All ages event. Leashed dogs are permissible but must be under the direct control of their owners, and must remain a minimum of 10 feet away from the telescope at all times.