Falling back to earlier observing
The Wonder of the Night Sky – A Season of Discovery and Gratitude
Greetings to all AOS Members, Friends, and Fellow Astronomy Enthusiasts!
As November arrives and the autumn skies begin their transition toward winter, we find ourselves entering one of the most rewarding seasons for amateur astronomy. The evenings grow longer, the air becomes cooler, and the magnificent constellations of winter begin their annual return to our skies.
For those of us who have spent countless evenings looking upward, there is something particularly special about this time of year. Orion begins his climb above the eastern horizon, the Pleiades sparkle overhead, and Jupiter continues its journey across the heavens. These familiar celestial companions remind us that, while our lives and the world around us are constantly changing, the night sky remains a wonderful source of discovery, inspiration, and perspective.
As we continue celebrating our 61st year of bringing the wonders of the night sky to the public, I am reminded that the strength of our organization is not simply measured by the number of telescopes we own, the events we conduct, or even the number of members we have. Rather, it is measured by the enthusiasm, generosity, and commitment of those who continue to share their passion for astronomy with others.
A Season of Outreach and Appreciation
October provided our club with additional opportunities to share the night sky with our Long Island communities.
Our outreach calendar included our continuing relationship with the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center, our participation in the No Space for Hunger initiative at Robert Moses State Park, and our support of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County. We have also been fortunate to rekindle relationships with old friends and contacts at SUNY Old Westbury, while opening the door to exciting new outreach partnerships with Barrier Brewing in Oceanside and Long Beach, the Alley Pond Environmental Center, and the North Shore Land Alliance at Wawapek in Cold Spring Harbor.
These developing relationships are particularly encouraging, as they demonstrate the growing interest among educational institutions, environmental organizations, and local businesses in bringing astronomy directly into their communities. Each new partnership presents another opportunity for AOSNY to reach audiences who might otherwise never have the experience of looking through a telescope.
As we move into November, our outreach calendar continues to expand, offering several exciting opportunities to bring astronomy to new audiences while strengthening relationships with our existing community partners. We encourage all members to consider participating in these upcoming events:
- November 14 – Forest Hills Girl Scouts at Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center (JBENC): An evening of astronomy education and telescope viewing. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Members interested in assisting are encouraged to contact us.
- November 20 – Barrier Brewing, Rooftop at the Long Beach Hotel: An exciting new outreach opportunity, bringing AOSNY telescopes and volunteers to a unique rooftop setting overlooking Long Beach.
- Date Pending – Garden City Bird Sanctuary: We are holding a potential outreach date open while awaiting confirmation from our friends at the Sanctuary. Additional details will follow.
Each of these events represents another opportunity to share our passion for astronomy, introduce new audiences to the wonders of the night sky, and continue expanding AOSNY’s presence throughout Long Island.
These programs represent something much larger than an evening of telescope viewing. They represent our commitment to making astronomy accessible to everyone, regardless of age, experience, or background.
Whether introducing a young student to Saturn’s rings, showing a family the craters of the Moon, or helping a newcomer understand the enormous distances separating the stars, we are providing experiences that can inspire curiosity for a lifetime.
To our dedicated volunteers who continue to transport equipment, set up telescopes, answer questions, and give their evenings and weekends to these efforts, thank you. Your contributions are the foundation upon which AOSNY has built its reputation as one of Long Island’s most active public astronomy outreach organizations.
Our November General Meeting – Special Guest Dr. David Helfand
Our next General Meeting will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Hofstra University, Berliner Hall, Room 117, located at 94 California Avenue, Uniondale, New York.
Our meeting begins at 1:15 PM, with our featured guest lecture scheduled for 3:00 PM.
This month, we are especially honored to welcome Dr. David Helfand, distinguished astrophysicist, professor, and author from Columbia University, who will be joining us in person to discuss his recent book, The Universal Timekeepers.
Dr. Helfand has spent decades exploring the mysteries of the universe, educating generations of students, and communicating the excitement of scientific discovery. His latest book takes readers on a fascinating journey through the many ways the universe measures and reveals the passage of time, from the smallest atomic processes to the extraordinary timescales of stars, galaxies, and the cosmos itself.
This promises to be a particularly engaging afternoon, offering our members and guests the opportunity to hear directly from an accomplished scientist and author whose career has been dedicated to expanding our understanding of the universe.
As always, our General Meetings are free and open to the public. I strongly encourage our membership to attend, welcome Dr. Helfand to Long Island, and take advantage of this special opportunity to engage with one of astronomy’s accomplished educators and communicators.
Whether you are a seasoned observer, an astrophotographer, or someone just beginning to explore the wonders of the night sky, we look forward to seeing you at Hofstra for what promises to be an enlightening and memorable presentation.
Stars on Sunday – A New Chapter at Hofstra University
Our seasonal Stars on Sunday observing program continues at Hofstra University, providing another wonderful opportunity to introduce the public to the wonders of the night sky.
This season, we are especially pleased to welcome the new leadership within Hofstra University’s Physics Department, as a new individual takes the reins of this much-anticipated and well-established observing program. We look forward to building upon the strong relationship between AOSNY and Hofstra University, continuing our shared commitment to astronomy education, public engagement, and inspiring curiosity about the universe.
Beginning at 7:00 PM, weather permitting, these sessions allow visitors to observe the Moon, planets, double stars, and other celestial objects through Hofstra University’s five 12-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes (SCTs), providing an exceptional opportunity for visitors to experience the night sky through these impressive astronomical instruments.
We continue to seek at least four AOSNY volunteers to support these evenings. There is no need to bring your own telescope, as we utilize Hofstra’s observatory equipment. Whether assisting with telescope operations, guiding visitors, or sharing your knowledge of the night sky, your participation is both welcome and appreciated.
As we begin this new chapter in the program’s history, we are excited about the opportunities ahead and remain committed to helping Hofstra make Stars on Sunday a rewarding experience for students, families, and the surrounding community.
Our partnership with Hofstra continues to demonstrate what can be accomplished when academic institutions and amateur astronomy organizations work together toward a common goal: bringing the wonders of the night sky to everyone.
November Celestial Highlights
November offers a wonderful collection of astronomical sights for observers of all experience levels.
- November 8 – New Moon: An excellent opportunity to explore faint galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters under darker skies.
- November 12 – Northern Taurid Meteor Shower: Watch for occasional bright, slow-moving meteors, including the possibility of spectacular fireballs.
- November 17–18 – Leonid Meteor Shower: The Leonids return, offering an opportunity to observe meteors originating from debris left behind by Comet 55P/Tempel–Tuttle.
- November 24 – Full Beaver Moon: November’s Full Moon illuminates the autumn sky, providing a beautiful sight for naked-eye observers and photographers.
- Late November – The Return of Orion: One of the most recognizable constellations begins dominating the late-evening eastern sky, bringing with it the magnificent Orion Nebula, M42.
For our astrophotographers, November also presents excellent opportunities to begin imaging the many emission nebulae and star clusters associated with the approaching winter Milky Way.
And for those just beginning their journey into astronomy, remember that a simple pair of binoculars can reveal remarkable sights, including the Pleiades, the Double Cluster in Perseus, and the rich star fields of Auriga.
Looking Toward the Future
As we approach the conclusion of another successful year, our attention turns toward the opportunities and responsibilities awaiting us in 2027, as we prepare to celebrate our 62nd year of bringing the wonders of the night sky to the public.
Our organization continues to grow, our public outreach partnerships continue to expand, and our educational programs are reaching an increasingly diverse audience.
As part of this continued growth, members can anticipate exciting changes to our AOSNY website, incorporating our new club branding and updated visual identity. These improvements will provide a refreshed presentation of our organization, better showcase our outreach activities and educational programs, and help strengthen our connection with members and the communities we serve. Our goal is to ensure that our public presence reflects the enthusiasm, professionalism, and commitment that have defined AOSNY for more than six decades.
With that growth comes the responsibility to ensure that AOSNY remains a welcoming, educational, and sustainable organization for generations to come.
I encourage every member to consider becoming more involved, whether by volunteering at an outreach event, assisting with club programs, sharing knowledge with newer observers, or simply attending our monthly meetings.
A club does not become successful because of the efforts of one individual. It succeeds because its members share a common purpose and are willing to contribute toward achieving it.
A November Reflection – Giving Thanks
As Thanksgiving approaches, I would like to take a moment to express my personal appreciation to our Board of Directors, committee members, outreach coordinators, volunteers, and the entire AOSNY membership.
Your support, encouragement, and willingness to share your time have allowed our organization to accomplish a great deal throughout 2026.
Astronomy has a remarkable ability to bring people together. Regardless of our backgrounds, professions, or personal interests, we can all stand beneath the same night sky and share the same sense of wonder.
That is something worth preserving, something worth sharing, and certainly something for which we can all be thankful.
As we move toward the end of our 61st year, I hope each of you will find time to step outside, look upward, and remember what first inspired your interest in astronomy.
Sometimes the greatest discoveries are not found through the largest telescopes or the most sophisticated cameras, but simply through the experience of looking up and asking, What is out there?
Clear Skies to All, and a Wonderful Thanksgiving!
Jason Cousins
President
Amateur Observers’ Society of New York, Inc.
Celebrating 61 Years of Bringing the Wonders of the Night Sky to the Public
