October is heating up!

Dear AOS Members,

As the crisp air of October settles in, the night sky rewards us with longer observing sessions and some of the most stunning celestial sights of the year. This is truly one of the best times to be an amateur astronomer – the Summer Triangle still graces our early evenings, while autumn constellations rise to take their place, bringing with them favorites like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), the Double Cluster, and later in the month, the Pleiades.

September Recap

We resumed our monthly meetings at Hofstra, starting with Dr. Or Graur’s fascinating lecture on how the ancient Egyptians viewed the Milky Way.

October Highlights

Stars on Sunday begins again this month. These sessions will follow our monthly meetings at Hofstra and provide another chance for the public to connect with us and the night sky. International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, October 4th at the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center will be a major outreach opportunity – volunteers and telescopes are always welcome! We’ll also be returning to the North Shore Synagogue on October 10th for a private program.

Special Event – AOSixty: Our 60th Anniversary Star Party

This month marks a truly historic milestone for our club. Join us as we celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Amateur Observers Society of New York with a special Star Party at the Heritage Center in Mt. Sinai on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM. We’ll be offering safe solar viewing in the afternoon, followed by night sky observing after dusk. This event will bring together members, friends, and the community to honor six decades of astronomy, outreach, and fellowship under the stars.

Looking Ahead

November will include another private outreach in Garden City and, of course, our next Hofstra meeting with another engaging guest lecturer. On the horizon, 2025 promises to be a landmark year with our 60th Anniversary celebrations continuing and expanded outreach programs – more on that soon.

Clear skies,
Jason Cousins
President – Amateur Observers’ Society of New York, Inc.