ASTRONOMY 101 — IN SESSION ON THE HIGH LINE

Manhattan is usually low on the list of places that comes to mind when the topic of star-gazing (of the celestial type) is broached. There’s too much light pollution in major cities to see more than a few dozen stars, much less planets or other galaxies. But given the right equipment, your odds improve significantly.

Every Tuesday night, the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York invites you to use their high-powered telescopes stationed near the 14th street entrance of the High Line park, just south of the Standard Hotel. Under favorable conditions, you can get a close-up view of the moon, Jupiter, Venus and Mars, and the brighter stars like Sirius. You’ll have to plan around New York’s fickle weather, but even under cloud cover, your consolation prize is handsome: a stroll along the newly expanded park with spring coming into full bloom.

Star-gazing on the High Line is a free public program that takes place every Tuesday from dusk until 10pm, weather permitting. Follow @highlinenyc for updates.

Images courtesy of Karen Blumberg/SpecialKRB.

Article from Tablet