Winter Stargazing in Central Park

Celebrate the season with the Central Park Conservancy! This year, we're kicking off our Winter Holiday Programs by partnering with the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York and the Urban Park Rangers to present a special astronomy event for families. Enjoy an educational lecture and a spectacular view of the night's sky far away from the city lights at the highest point in Central Park, Belvedere Castle.

First we'll delve into the wonders of winter astronomy, in a lecture with the Amateur Astronomers Association inside Belvedere Castle. As the sky gets darker, we'll head out onto the plaza for some naked-eye observation. Once you've got the hang of it, you'll have the chance to use our binoculars and telescopes for an even greater view! If we're lucky, we'll see the Andromeda Galazy, the Ring Nebula, the Pleiades star cluster, Hyades, the Alpha Persei clusters, and the Orion Nebula.

This program also features a special pre-event gathering on the Great Lawn. If you'd like a chance to view Venus and Jupiter, including Jupiter's moons and belts, before they sink too low on the horizon to observe, join us before the lecture at 5:00 p.m. on the northern-most walkway around the Great Lawn (mid-Park at 85th Street).

Binoculars and telescopes will be provided, but bring your own if you have them! Space is limited and advance registration is required for all. For more information and to register, please call (212) 772-0210.