Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh

Your Bridge to the Stars

Events

AAAP 2018 Schedule of Observatory Star Parties

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More on Star Parties here.

Mingo 2018 Star Party Dates: April 21, May 18 & 19, June 8 & 9, July 20 & 21, Aug 11 & 18, Sept 7 & 8, Oct 6 & 20, Nov 3 Note: 11/17/2017 Update  

Mingo 2018 Brochure coming soon. Special Hotel Rates have been negotiated for 2018 Mingo Star Party Dates. See Document here. 

Wagman 2018 Star Party Dates: Apr 20 & 21; May 18 & 19; Jun 22 & 23; Jul 20 & 21; Aug 17 & 18; Sep 15 & 29; Oct 13 & 27; Nov 10 2018  

Wagman 2018 Brochure coming soon.

Observatory Star Parties resume in April 2018.  In the meantime follow AAAP  Facebook and the AAAP Calendar for announcements of star gazing events scheduled at parks, libraries or other locations. Enjoy free fascinating and informative, cutting edge lectures in association with our monthly meetings held 7:30 PM on the 2nd Friday,* January through May and September through November held at the Carnegie Science Center. *Note the January 2018 Meeting will be on Friday, January 5, 2018. Actually, the January 5, 2018 AAAP Monthly Meeting in addition to the 7:30 PM lecture, includes a 6:30 – 7:30 PM Meet and Greet with Star Gazing at the Carnegie Science Center’s Rooftop Observatory.

Annual AAAP Astrophotography Contest and November 10, 2017 Meeting of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh

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The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh  will meet at 7:30 PM, Friday, November 10, 2017, Allegheny Observatory, 159 Riverview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15214 . The meeting program is the Annual AAAP Kevin J. Brunelle Astrophotography Contest. Review the images in a stunning presentation. Members vote. Winners announced at the meeting and online.

Wagman Star Party, Saturday, November 4, 2017

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Note:  As reported at 3:45 PM there was a “hopeful” clearing in Ohio and the possibility of enough clear sky to merit opening the Wagman Observatory for tonight’s Star Party.  Obviously there could be a change for the better or worse. Were there to be rain or advancing adverse conditions it would not bode well for the continuance of star party plans. Feel free to check back here and AAAP Facebook or phone the observatory, 724-224-2510 for updates.

You are invited to a Star Party at the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh’s  Wagman Observatory, Saturday, November 4,  2017, 6:20 PM

The Saturday, November 4,  Wagman Star Party starting about 6:20 PM EDT not 6:25 as previously reported. Enjoy the views of large clusters of stars, beautiful colored double stars, visit the craters of the Full Moon and view the planets Saturn, Uranus and Neptune through the telescopes at the Observatory and much more. This star party falls on the night of the November Full Moon: 1:22 AM EDT Full; November 4, 2017 Moonrise occurs at 7:02 PM EDT; Moonset 8:17 AM EST on Sunday, November 5, 2017. Times for Pittsburgh, PA from www.timeanddate.com. Daylight saving time 2017 in Pennsylvania began at 2:00 AM on Sunday, March 12 and ends at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 5.  The November 4 Wagman Star Party concludes the Wagman 2017 Star Party Season. Next year’s dates are listed at the end of this post and on the website .

This invitation to amateur astronomers, students and the general public is part of AAAP’s annual series of star parties occurring March – November at the Wagman and Mingo Observatories. These events are family friendly. There is no charge for these events, although donations are appreciated. Read more about Star Parties here.

Regardless of your experience or ability level you will be welcome to join the throng of avid sky watchers. Perhaps you have a telescope and do not know how to use it? Bring it along and members of the AAAP will help! Likewise if you are considering a telescope purchase or the addition of accessories, star charts and books Wagman is a good place to start. Members of the AAAP will help!

The Star Parties will be held WEATHER PERMITTING. The public should call 724-224-2510 for more information. The Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory is located in Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer Township, Pa., near the village of Russellton in northeastern Allegheny County and some 18 miles from Pittsburgh. Coordinates: Latitude 40.627 degrees N, Longitude 79.813 degrees W. Map and Directions under the About Tab at www.3ap.org and here.

Admission is free, though we gladly accept donations to cover the cost of operation. To reach Wagman Observatory, follow the Orange Belt (accessible from Routes 8 and 28) to Deer Lakes Park, near Russellton. Follow the road through the Park for 1.2 miles and turn left on to the Observatory grounds. Please use parking lights only when you drive through the gate.  In the observing rooms or near the outside telescopes please avoid use of bright lights: cell phones, white lights or flashlights, glow sticks, etc.  and especially no flash photograph. There is no smoking permitted anywhere on the site. Planning for next year? Wagman Observatory’s 2018 Star Party Dates have been published.

For updates, check back here and AAAP Facebook or phone the observatory, 724-224-2510,  the night of the event. Wagman Observatory Clear Sky Chart.

AAAP will hold one more 2017 Observatory Star Party following the November 4, at Wagman Observatory on November 11 at Mingo Observatory.

Our 2018 Schedule of Observatory Star Parties is available on the website as well as below.

Wagman 2018 Star Party Dates: Apr 20 & 21; May 18 & 19; Jun 22 & 23; Jul 20 & 21; Aug 17 & 18; Sep 15 & 29; Oct 13 & 27; Nov 10

Mingo 2018 Star Party Dates: Apr 21; May 11 & 12; Jun 8 & 9; Jul 20 & 21; Aug 11 & 18; Sep 14 & 15; Oct 6 & 20; Nov 3

CANCELLED: Wagman Observatory Saturday, October 28, 2017 Star Party

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Cancellation: Due to inclement weather, tonight’s Star Party at Wagman Observatory has been canceled. Our last Wagman Star Party of 2017 will be Saturday, Nov 4, weather permitting. If we get the amount of rain predicted or more, the hilltop could be very sloppy. It’s a primarily matter of safety. Please consider another  AAAP Star Party scheduled this evening at Mingo Observatory in Washington County.

You are invited to a Star Party at the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh’s  Wagman Observatory, Saturday, October 28,  2017, 6:25 PM

The Saturday, October 28,  Wagman Star Party starting about 6:25 PM EDT. Enjoy the views of large clusters of stars, beautiful colored double stars, visit the craters of the moon and view the planets Saturn, Uranus and Neptune through the telescopes at the Observatory and much more.

This invitation to amateur astronomers, students and the general public is part of AAAP’s annual series of star parties occurring March – November at the Wagman and Mingo Observatories. These events are family friendly. There is no charge for these events, although donations are appreciated. Read more about Star Parties here.

Regardless of your experience or ability level you will be welcome to join the throng of avid sky watchers. Perhaps you have a telescope and do not know how to use it? Bring it along and members of the AAAP will help! Likewise if you are considering a telescope purchase or the addition of accessories, star charts and books Wagman is a good place to start. Members of the AAAP will help!

The Star Parties will be held WEATHER PERMITTING. The public should call 724-224-2510 for more information. The Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory is located in Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer Township, Pa., near the village of Russellton in northeastern Allegheny County and some 18 miles from Pittsburgh. Coordinates: Latitude 40.627 degrees N, Longitude 79.813 degrees W. Map and Directions under the About Tab at www.3ap.org and here.

Admission is free, though we gladly accept donations to cover the cost of operation. To reach Wagman Observatory, follow the Orange Belt (accessible from Routes 8 and 28) to Deer Lakes Park, near Russellton. Follow the road through the Park for 1.2 miles and turn left on to the Observatory grounds. Please use parking lights only when you drive through the gate.  In the observing rooms or near the outside telescopes please avoid use of bright lights: cell phones, white lights or flashlights, glow sticks, etc.  and especially no flash photograph. There is no smoking permitted anywhere on the site. Planning for next year? Wagman Observatory’s 2018 Star Party Dates have been published.

For updates, check back here and AAAP Facebook or phone the observatory, 724-224-2510,  the night of the event. Wagman Observatory Clear Sky Chart.

AAAP will hold two November Observatory Star Parties in November: November 4 at Wagman observatory and November 11 at Mingo Observatory.

Our 2018 Schedule of Observatory Star Parties is available on the website as well as below.

Wagman 2018 Star Party Dates: Apr 20 & 21; May 18 & 19; Jun 22 & 23; Jul 20 & 21; Aug 17 & 18; Sep 15 & 29; Oct 13 & 27; Nov 10

Mingo 2018 Star Party Dates: Apr 21; May 11 & 12; Jun 8 & 9; Jul 20 & 21; Aug 11 & 18; Sep 14 & 15; Oct 6 & 20; Nov 3

 

 

Wagman Observatory Saturday, October 7, 2017 Moonrise Star Party

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You are invited to a Moonrise Star Party at the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh’s  Wagman Observatory, Saturday, October 7,  2017, 6:55 PM

The Saturday, October 7,  Wagman Moonrise Star Party starting about 6:55 PM EDT.. Enjoy the views of the Andromeda Galaxy and Double Cluster in Perseus through the telescopes at the Observatory before the Moon rises at 8:30 PM.  and much more.

This invitation to amateur astronomers, students and the general public is part of AAAP’s annual series of star parties occurring March – November at the Wagman and Mingo Observatories. These events are family friendly. There is no charge for these events, although donations are appreciated. Read more about Star Parties here.

Regardless of your experience or ability level you will be welcome to join the throng of avid sky watchers. Perhaps you have a telescope and do not know how to use it? Bring it along and members of the AAAP will help! Likewise if you are considering a telescope purchase or the addition of accessories, star charts and books Wagman is a good place to start. Members of the AAAP will help!

The Star Parties will be held WEATHER PERMITTING. The public should call 724-224-2510 for more information. The Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory is located in Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer Township, Pa., near the village of Russellton in northeastern Allegheny County and some 18 miles from Pittsburgh. Coordinates: Latitude 40.627 degrees N, Longitude 79.813 degrees W. Map and Directions under the About Tab at www.3ap.org and here.

Admission is free, though we gladly accept donations to cover the cost of operation. To reach Wagman Observatory, follow the Orange Belt (accessible from Routes 8 and 28) to Deer Lakes Park, near Russellton. Follow the road through the Park for 1.2 miles and turn left on to the Observatory grounds. Please use parking lights only when you drive through the gate.  In the observing rooms or near the outside telescopes please avoid use of bright lights: cell phones, white lights or flashlights, glow sticks, etc.  and especially no flash photograph. There is no smoking permitted anywhere on the site. Planning for next year? Wagman Observatory’s 2018 Star Party Dates have been published.

For updates, check back here and AAAP Facebook or phone the observatory, 724-224-2510,  the night of the event. Wagman Observatory Clear Sky Chart.

 

 

Wagman Observatory Saturday, September 23, 2017 Star Party

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You are invited to a Star Party at the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh’s  Wagman Observatory, Saturday, September 23, 2017, 7:15 PM

The Saturday, September 23,  Wagman Star Party starting about 7:15 PM EDT  creates an opportunity to view the Moon and the September Sky. Observe theThree Day Old  Moon along with the Hercules Cluster, the Ring Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy  and much more.  Saturn,Uranus and Neptune will be available for observing.

This invitation to amateur astronomers, students and the general public is part of AAAP’s annual series of star parties occurring March – November at the Wagman and Mingo Observatories. These events are family friendly. There is no charge for these events, although donations are appreciated. Read more about Star Parties here.

Regardless of your experience or ability level you will be welcome to join the throng of avid sky watchers. Perhaps you have a telescope and do not know how to use it? Bring it along and members of the AAAP will help! Likewise if you are considering a telescope purchase or the addition of accessories, star charts and books Wagman is a good place to start. Members of the AAAP will help!

The Star Parties will be held WEATHER PERMITTING. The public should call 724-224-2510 for more information. The Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory is located in Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer Township, Pa., near the village of Russellton in northeastern Allegheny County and some 18 miles from Pittsburgh. Coordinates: Latitude 40.627 degrees N, Longitude 79.813 degrees W. Map and Directions under the About Tab at www.3ap.org and here.

Admission is free, though we gladly accept donations to cover the cost of operation. To reach Wagman Observatory, follow the Orange Belt (accessible from Routes 8 and 28) to Deer Lakes Park, near Russellton. Follow the road through the Park for 1.2 miles and turn left on to the Observatory grounds. Please use parking lights only when you drive through the gate.  In the observing rooms or near the outside telescopes please avoid use of bright lights: cell phones, white lights or flashlights, glow sticks, etc.  and especially no flash photograph. There is no smoking permitted anywhere on the site. Planning for next year? Wagman Observatory’s 2018 Star Party Dates have been published.

For updates, check back here and AAAP Facebook or phone the observatory, 724-224-2510,  the night of the event. Wagman Observatory Clear Sky Chart.