May the 4th be with you!

Dear Members of AOSNY,

May has arrived—and the night sky is putting on a show!

This month brings a stellar lineup of celestial events, exciting outreach opportunities, and a continued celebration of our 60th year of service to the public. As the days grow warmer and the nights get shorter, our passion for exploring the universe only shines brighter. Let’s dive into what May has in store for us.

🌠 Celestial Highlights

• May 4 – Lunar X Visible (Around 8:15 PM EDT)
  A fan favorite for lunar observers! The Lunar X, Lunar V and Club discovered Lunar l or I — a striking optical illusion caused by sunlight hitting the rims of craters Blanchinus, La Caille, and Purbach—will be visible on Sunday evening, May 4. This short-lived phenomenon appears for just a few hours and is best viewed through a telescope near the lunar terminator.
• May 5–6: Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower
  Caused by debris from Halley’s Comet, this shower peaks in the predawn hours of May 5th and 6th. Under dark skies, up to 40 meteors per hour may be visible. These meteors are swift and bright—perfect for early risers or all-nighters.
• May 12: Full Flower Moon – Micromoon
  May’s full Moon is known as the Flower Moon, and this year it’s a micromoon, occurring when the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth. It may appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual, but it’s no less enchanting.
• May 22–24: Crescent Moon with Venus & Saturn at Dawn
  Look to the eastern sky before sunrise to catch a beautiful alignment: a thin crescent Moon, Venus low on the horizon, and Saturn higher above. A tranquil and photogenic way to start your day.
• All Month: Planets on Parade
  Jupiter and Mars can be spotted low in the western sky after sunset, while Venus and Saturn light up the early mornings. Whether using a telescope or just your eyes, the solar system is on full display.

🔭 AOSNY Events & Updates

• Friday, May 2 – Public Stargazing at Humes Preserve, Mill Neck (6:30–10:00 PM)
  We are thrilled to announce that the North Shore Land Alliance has opened the grounds of Humes Preserve for public stargazing! Join us as we share views of the Moon, Venus, and spring constellations with attendees under this tranquil dark-sky site. Volunteers with scopes are encouraged to attend.
• Sunday, May 4 – General Meeting at Hofstra University
  Doors open at 1:15 PM with social time and club updates. At 3:00 PM, we welcome Dr. Robert Zellem, research astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center for a special presentation titled “Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, Expectations and Excitement”.  Don’t forget that this month we complete our election process, with a new exciting year and summer season fast approaching
• Thursday, May 8 – Jones Beach Star Party (7:30–10:00 PM)
  Our flagship outreach continues at West End 1 East Parking Lot. As always, we need volunteers with telescopes and chaperones to help introduce the public to the night sky. Expect great views of the Moon, Venus, and more!
• Friday, May 9 – North Shore Youth Council Star Night at the Heritage Center (7:30–10:30 PM)
  We’re proud to partner with the North Shore Youth Council for an exciting evening at the Heritage Center, 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Road, Mount Sinai, NY. The event kicks off with an astronomy presentation at 7:30 PM, followed by celestial viewing from 8:30 to 10:30 PM. Volunteers are welcome to assist with both presenting and telescopic outreach! Come see where we will be, hopefully celebrating our 60th anniversary.
• Observatory Project Update
  Momentum continues on our new roll-off roof observatory. With our initial funding goal reached, we’re now finalizing design layouts and preparing for construction. If you haven’t donated yet, now’s your chance to leave your mark on the next chapter of AOSNY history.
• Looking Ahead to August
  It’s never too early to start thinking about summer! August is the month for our annual club picnic, and it always coincides with the spectacular Perseid meteor shower. It’s one of the best nights of the year to gather as a club and enjoy meteors blazing across the sky in great company. Details to follow soon!

💫 Keep Looking Up

Each time we gather to look through a telescope or teach someone where to find Saturn, we’re fulfilling AOSNY’s mission: bringing the wonders of the night sky to the public. Whether you’re a long-time member or just joined us, your participation is what makes this club so special.

As we continue our 60th anniversary year, let’s carry our legacy forward—through education, outreach, and camaraderie under the stars. I’m proud to serve as your President and even prouder of what we accomplish together.

See you under the stars!

Clear skies,

Jason Cousins
President, Amateur Observers Society of New York

Jason Cousins, President