Galaxy Season Returns

Dear AOSNY Members and Friends,

March arrives as a turning point in both the sky and our club calendar. Winter loosens its grip, the Sun climbs higher each day, and we find ourselves standing at the threshold of galaxy season. For observers, imagers, and dreamers alike, this is one of the most exciting transitions of the year.

The Spring Equinox arrives on March 20, bringing equal hours of day and night and symbolizing balance, renewal, and fresh momentum. In astronomy, this seasonal shift also opens the gateway to deep-sky treasures that lie beyond the Milky Way’s dusty plane. As the constellation Leo rises proudly in the evening sky, it signals that we are once again looking outward into the broader universe — toward distant galaxies, clusters, and the grand architecture of the cosmos.

March General Meeting — March 1 at 1:00 PM

Join us Saturday, March 1 at 1:00 PM EST at Berliner Hall, Hofstra University for our monthly General Meeting. These gatherings remain the heartbeat of our club — a place where learning, camaraderie, and inspiration come together in person.

Featured Guest Lecturer — Dr. Joshua Tan

Lecture begins at 3:00 PM EST (In Person)
Lecture Title: Exoplanet Watch: How NASA Empowers Everyone to Help in the Discovery of Worlds Beyond Earth

Dr. Tan is an Associate Professor in the Natural Sciences Department at LaGuardia Community College and a Research Associate in the Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History. He also serves as LaGuardia’s representative for the New York Space Grant.

In addition to advanced degrees in astronomy and astrophysics, Dr. Tan earned a Certificate in Community College Instruction from Roosevelt University. He is an active member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), the American Astronomical Society (AAS), and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP).

In this exciting talk, Dr. Tan will introduce NASA’s Exoplanet Watch, a citizen-science program that allows amateur astronomers, students, and the public to help study planets orbiting distant stars. When an exoplanet passes in front of its host star, the star’s brightness dips ever so slightly. With modest telescopes and digital cameras, volunteers can capture these tiny changes in light and submit their observations to NASA scientists. These real measurements help refine planetary sizes, confirm orbital periods, and improve the accuracy of future space-telescope missions.

This program represents a remarkable opportunity for everyday observers to contribute real scientific data to the discovery and understanding of worlds beyond our solar system.

March Stars on Sunday Update

Due to recent weather and winter conditions, March Stars on Sunday is cancelled. While we always look forward to sharing the sky with the public, safety and site conditions must come first. We anticipate resuming our regular observing sessions as spring weather improves and appreciate everyone’s understanding.

The Messier Marathon — Our Annual Rite of Spring

March also brings one of the most beloved traditions in amateur astronomy: the Messier Marathon.

For newer members, the Marathon is a challenge to observe as many of the 110 Messier objects as possible in a single night, from dusk to dawn. It’s equal parts observing challenge, endurance test, and celebration of the night sky. For veteran observers, it’s a yearly reunion with familiar celestial friends.

Why March? This brief window is the only time of year when all Messier objects are theoretically visible in one night. From the Orion Nebula setting in the west to the Virgo Cluster rising in the east, the night becomes a race against Earth’s rotation.

The best observing window this year falls between March 14 and March 21, with March 18 offering the most favorable alignment of darkness and object visibility. Of course, weather always gets the final vote — but the opportunity is there.

To help you prepare, here is an excellent Messier Marathon observing chart:
https://www.robhawley.net/mm/SHG-MM-charts-v6.pdf

This year we are also encouraging Messier Marathon Seestar S50 planning for members interested in tackling the Marathon with smart telescopes and imaging rigs. Whether you are observing visually, electronically assisted observing (EAA), or imaging, there is a place for everyone to participate.

Want to try capturing the full Marathon with a Seestar S50? Here is a great walkthrough video to help you plan and prepare:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEP2Q7ZCqs4

Whether you attempt all 110 objects or simply join us for a portion of the night, the Marathon is about shared experience, laughter, coffee, red flashlights, and the quiet magic of watching the universe unfold hour by hour.

Who wants to join us? If you’ve never experienced a Messier Marathon, this is the perfect year to try. Beginners, visual observers, and imagers are all welcome — come for the entire night or just a portion of the adventure and be part of one of astronomy’s great annual traditions.

Spring Sky Highlights — The Realm of Galaxies

With the Milky Way’s winter brilliance fading, the sky opens a window into deep space. March evenings offer incredible opportunities to explore:

• The Leo Triplet (M65, M66, NGC 3628)
• The Virgo Cluster
• M81 & M82 in Ursa Major
• The Beehive Cluster (M44)

This is the season when we stop looking within our galaxy and begin looking beyond it.

Outreach Momentum Continues

As the weather improves, our outreach calendar begins ramping up again. The enthusiasm and dedication of our volunteers continue to amaze me. Every event we host, every telescope we set up, and every conversation we have with the public fulfills our mission of bringing the wonders of the night sky to our community.

If you’ve been thinking about volunteering, spring is the perfect time to jump in.

Looking Ahead

With longer days and milder nights ahead, we enter one of the most active stretches of the year for AOSNY. From outreach events to star parties, planning continues to move forward on our long-term initiatives and the exciting future of the club.

March reminds us that astronomy is a journey of transitions — from winter to spring, from nebulae to galaxies, from planning to action. The sky is changing, the season is changing, and together we continue moving forward.

Clear skies,

Jason Cousins
President, AOSNY