Syracuse Astronomical Society Events April 17th – Board Meeting: Our Monthly Board Meeting occurs at 7:30PM. This will be a zoom only meeting. Members can check your email for a link. April 18th/April 19th – Public Observing Session: Join us for our first official public session of the year following our Mini Messier Marathon held in March. Bring your family to explore the marvels of the night sky and catch a glimpse of the Milky Way. We will feature an EAA presentation, and our main telescope will be available for viewing. April 25th/April 26th – Member Observing Session: Join us […]
Charles Messier was a French astronomer who lived from 1730 to 1817. His favorite pastime was searching for comets in the night sky. He was quite successful, discovering a total of 13 comets in his lifetime—an impressive number considering he used only a 4-inch refractor in downtown Paris. While searching in vain for Halley’s Comet, which was expected to appear near the constellation Taurus, Messier came across an object he initially mistook for the comet. However, he soon realized that it did not move against the night sky as a comet would. He had, in fact, re-discovered the Crab Nebula—now […]
Despite some thin clouds messing with our view at the start of the night, the skies opened just before the starting phases. Totality lasted for just over an hour, with the partial phase ending just before 5AM. Five members attended, including a couple of guests during the night. The last total lunar eclipse visible here was in November 2022, with the next being in June 2029. A great time was had by all attended. The gallery will update with more photos as time goes on.
As the seasons transition from winter to spring, the skies provide a unique blend of constellations, planets, and astronomical events. Let’s explore what you can expect to see in the night sky during March 2025. Constellations to Spot Orion: Known for its distinctive belt, Orion the Hunter is one of the most recognizable constellations. It is still visible around 9PM in the West all month Leo: Leo the Lion is rising higher in the east and will be up all night. Look for a giant question mark in the Sky. The bright star Regulus, which marks the lion’s heart. Gemini: The […]