Social Hour: Stargazing

With the Vernal Equinox almost upon us, the evening sky is aligned for a spectacular viewing experience. Join the Central Park Conservancy and Amateur Astronomers Association for a stargazing Social Hour program in celebration of the transition from winter to spring.

We’ll learn about the brightest stars and constellations of winter and spring, including Orion and the Orion Nebula, which will be prominent in the southern sky; the Pleiades star cluster, which will lie close to the pretty crescent moon; and the beautiful Beehive cluster, which will lie within the dim constellation Cancer. Using naked-eye observation, binoculars (bring your own), and a powerful telescope (provided), we’ll gaze at these star clusters and more from one of the best stargazing locations on Manhattan: the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center’s plaza.

Dress warmly. Stargazing is weather permitting; in the case of a cloudy sky, we’ll remain indoors for a lecture and slide-show presentation. Refreshments will be provided. FREE. For adults. No advance registration. For more information, call (212) 860-1370 or visit the Harlem Meer Social Hour webpage.