Getting dark earlier means more astronomy time.
Dear AOS Members and friends,
As we turn the clocks back and the nights grow longer, November reminds us why we love this time of year. Cooler, steadier air and early darkness make for some of the finest observing conditions of the entire season. With Orion rising in the east and crisp, clear skies overhead, our scopes are ready for action!
This past month, our club celebrated several milestones — from our successful 60th Anniversary star party to our engaging fall outreach programs. It’s been inspiring to see so many members bringing telescopes, cameras, and enthusiasm to every event. Your participation, energy, and camaraderie continue to define what makes AOSNY such a special community.
Our November General Meeting will be held on Sunday, November 2nd, beginning at 1:15 PM at Hofstra University, Berliner Hall Room 117. Our Special Guest Lecture with Professor Kenneth Lanzetta will start at 3:00 PM, followed later that evening by Stars on Sunday at 7:00 PM. Volunteers are always welcome and appreciated helping with setup, guiding visitors, and telescope operation. Please check our website, www.aosny.org, for any last-minute updates and additional details.
🌟 Special Guest – Professor Kenneth Lanzetta and The Condor Array Telescope Project
We are honored to welcome Professor Kenneth Lanzetta, Astrophysicist at Stony Brook University, as our special guest speaker this month. Professor Lanzetta is the principal investigator of the groundbreaking Condor Array Telescope Project, a state-of-the-art multi-telescope system designed to conduct ultra-deep, wide-field imaging surveys from the pristine skies of Chile.
The Condor Array, consisting of eight high-performance 180 mm refracting telescopes, operates in unison to capture faint galaxies, star-forming regions, and large-scale cosmic structures with unprecedented clarity. Its design represents an innovative step toward distributed imaging arrays—combining the efficiency of small-aperture optics with the power of large observatories. Professor Lanzetta’s work exemplifies how professional-grade research can bridge into the realm of advanced amateur astronomy, making his presentation especially relevant and exciting for our AOS community.
As we approach the holiday season, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported our mission this year — whether by volunteering, donating, or simply showing up with a smile and curiosity. Your efforts fuel everything we do, from outreach events to our ambitious Sue Rose Observatory upgrade project, which continues to make steady progress toward its 2026 completion goal.
Looking ahead, we have several outreach opportunities and winter observing nights in the works, and we’re already planning our 2026 calendar. Please consider renewing your membership early and inviting friends or family to join. Every new member strengthens our shared commitment to education, discovery, and community.
🎄 AOSNY Holiday Party – Save the Date!
Mark your calendars for our Annual AOSNY Holiday Party, coming up on Saturday, December 13, from 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
This year we’re excited to announce a SPECIAL NEW LOCATION — with bigger space and more room to stretch out and celebrate together! (Full details will be shared in the AOS Newsletter, The Celestial Observer and on the Hotline)
As always, we kindly ask members to consider donating items for our holiday gift table. These donations help us offset costs and make our traditional raffles a fun and rewarding highlight for everyone who attends.
Wishing you all clear skies, warm hands, and memorable nights at the eyepiece.
On behalf of the AOS Board,
Jason Cousins
President – Amateur Observers’ Society of New York, Inc.
