Current Meetups

Public Open Night – Wednesday March 19th – Coit Observatory at Boston University

The Public Open Night at the Observatory is a chance for people to come observe the night sky through telescopes and binoculars and see things they otherwise might not get to see, and learn some astronomy as well. The Open Nights are held most Wednesday evenings throughout the year, weather permitting.

It is open to everyone. Starting times are 7:30pm during the fall and winter, and 8:30pm during the spring and summer. The program lasts about an hour.

Weather

The weather is always a factor when observing. Unfortunately we can’t control the weather and we can’t observe when there are clouds, haze, or rain; so when the weather is bad, the Open Night will be canceled. Predicting the weather in New England isn’t easy, so we won’t know if the Open Night will be held or not until the day of the program. To find out if the Open Night will be held, call our information number at 617-353-2630, no earlier than two hours before the scheduled starting time. This lets us make the decision as late as possible while still giving those who live farther away time to get here.

Remember, it gets very cold in Boston in the winter and the telescopes are outside, so dress warmly.
Location

The Public Open Night is held at the Coit Observatory at Boston University. We are located at 725 Commonwealth Ave. in Boston, right above the Astronomy Department. The stairwell to the Observatory is on the fifth floor right next to room 520.

Unfortunately, there is no disabled access to the Observatory.
Information

For information, please call 617-353-2630.

The Public Open Night at the Observatory is held clear Wednesday nights from 8:30 – 9:30pm. Call 617-353-2630 for the status.

Source: http://www.bu.edu/astronomy/events/public-open-night-at-the-observatory/

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Solar Observing at Brown University, Providence, RI, March 20th 2014

“Come celebrate the Spring Equinox with the Science Center and the Department of Physics! On this day the marble stones in the courtyards of the SciLi’s Friedman Center are illuminated by the Suns’ rays, marking the start of spring. View the sun safely through the Ladd Observatory’s solar telescope and talk with Prof. Ian Dell’Antonio about the astronomy courses offered by the Physics Department in the Fall!”

Brown University, Sciences Library Patio: SciLi’s Friedman Center
101-109 Waterman Street, Providence, RI

Please remember to protect your eyes when viewing the sun. Their are many ways to view our closest star safely directly or indirectly.

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Also on March 20th at 7:30pm… Monthly Observatory Night – March

Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA)
60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA

The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics sponsors a variety of free programs for the public. Among these events are Observatory Nights held on the third Thursday of the month (excluding June, July and August). Observatory Nights feature a nontechnical lecture and telescopic observing from the observatory roof if weather permits. The lectures are intended for high-school age and older audiences but children are also welcome. We also sponsor a variety of other special observing events throughout the year. No reservations are necessary, but seating is limited to the auditorium’s capacity. Admission is free.

These events–unless otherwise noted–are held in Phillips Auditorium (at the rear of the CfA complex near Madison Street and large parking lot), 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, about 1 mile west of Harvard Square. Parking lots marked for Observatory Staff are open to the public on event nights. Parking is free.

Monthly Observatory Night – March

Thursday, March 20, 2014
7:30 pm: A More Perfect Heaven: How Copernicus Revolutionized the Cosmos

Copernicus is the man who turned the universe inside out, placing the Sun and not the Earth at the center of our solar system. Renowned author Dava Sobel (Longitude, Galileo’s Daughter, The Planets) will debut her latest book, with additional commentary by a special guest, historian Owen Gingerich.

For more information, including accessibility, or to sign up for the events mailing list, call the Public Affairs Office, (617) 495-7461 or email pubaffairs@cfa.harvard.edu. Please request sign-language interpretation at least 2 weeks before the event. Current sky information is available.

Entrance is at the west of the CfA complex, near Madison Street and large parking lot. The CfA is easily reached by public transportation. From the Harvard MBTA Station (Red Line), take any bus or trackless trolley going west on Concord Avenue (Arlmont Village and Belmont Center buses, Huron Avenue trolleys) and get off at “Observatory Hill.”

Source: http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/publicevents

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East Coast: Ladd Observatory Public Viewing, 210 Doyle Ave., Providence, RI

Public Viewing, Tuesday, March 25th

Open to the public, free of charge, from 7-9 pm on Tuesday evenings, weather permitting.

Ladd Observatory will be open, weather permitting.

Location

210 Doyle Avenue, at the corner of Doyle and Hope. Park on Doyle Ave. as Observatory parking is very limited.

Please call 401-863-2323 for updated information.

Source: http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Physics/Ladd/

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Sunset Walk & Talk Events, Griffith Observatory on April 8 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Each month the Observatory offers a sunset hike lead by a Park Ranger and Museum Guide. The hike starts on the Observatory West Terrace, proceeds up the Charlie Turner trail to the Berlin Forest on the hill just north of the Observatory, and then returns to the West Terrace. The distance covered is about half a mile over the course of an hour at a very moderate pace with stops along the way to discuss the highlights and history of Griffith Park, and objects visible in the evening sky.

NOTE: The Charlie Turner trail is a moderately steep earthen trail and footwear appropriate for hiking is recommended.

Walk & Talk dates and times for 2014

January 14 4:50-5:50 p.m.
February 11 5:15-6:15 p.m.
March 11 6:45-7:45 p.m.
April 8 7:00-8:00 p.m.
May 13 7:30-8:30 p.m.
June 10 7:45-8:45 p.m.
July 8 7:50-8:50 p.m.
August 5 7:35-8:35 p.m.
September 9 7:00-8:00 p.m.
October 7 6:15-7:15 p.m.
November 4 4:40-5:40 p.m.
December 2 4:30-5:30 p.m.
December 30 4:40-5:40 p.m.

Source:  http://www.griffithobservatory.org/pwalkandtalk.html

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If you’d like to see all of our meetup sites to learn about even more events we bring you, start here.

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