Learn About The Night Sky At Bayside Stargazing Event

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — Queens' place in the universe will come into focus at a stargazing event in Bayside next month. Astronomer Mark Freilich will be showing visitors the night sky on July 15 between 7.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. at Alley Pond Environmental Center as part of the event titled "Star Gazing Wonders - Astronomy Night."

Participants will first be briefed on what they can expect to see, Freilich said. They will be given two maps, one of constellations and another of the brightest stars in the night.

Freilich will then take participants outside where they will be able to identify stars for themselves.

On July 15, so long as the sky is cloud free, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible along with Vega, Deneb and Altair, which make up the summer triangle.

Also on show, hopefully, will be Antares and Albireo, two different color stars that orbit each other. Looking to the south in July, observers will be able to see the outline of the Milky Way.

The final activity on the schedule involves the use of a Dobsonian Reflecting Telescope to look at the surfaces of Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own telescopes and binoculars.

The stargazing events have been held since 1997, according to Freilich. He estimates that around 2,500 people have attended over the years. The schedule for each session varies every season with the changing night sky.

The event costs $10 for members of the APEC. Non-members will be charged $16. You can register here.

Lead image via Dave Doe/Flickr