York College Observatory News

York College Observatory News


YCO featured in Chronicle (12/14/06): "York Observatory Comes Into Focus" article in the Queens Chronicle on our recent progress.
YCO architects chosen (11/10/06): CUNY approved the architect firm Voorsanger Architects to design and build the YCO. Voorsanger designed the Rose Center and Hayden Planetarium at the Americna Museum of Natural History and promises to bring forth an innovative and technically advanced design that should enhance the College's presence.
YCO featured in TONYK (11/05/05): The Observatory was featured with a full-page glossy in the Nov/Dec issue dedicated to things for kids to do at night in NYC. The image shows one of our telescopes and the view from our Astronomy terrace where we hold the Public Open Night program.
Celebrating Einstein (10/28/05): The afternoon and evening of Oct 27 was spent celebrating the life and science of Albert Einstein on the centennial of his greatest works such as special relativity. There were public talks, displays and physics demonstrations and everyone learned something new.
Yet another lunar eclipse! (10/28/04): Well over 200 people were on campus to witness the spectacular total lunar eclipse on a perfect fall night, Oct 27. Viewers kept warm through the evening with coffee, treats, music and companionship. We were also featured on NY1 news from a live feed and a followup segment!
YC Radio Telescope has first light. (07/21/04): The new York College Radio Telescope has begun operations. Summer students Wainwright Joseph (LSAMP) and Ian O'Leary (SHARP), shown at right with Observatory Director Tim Paglione, built and tested the instrument. Look for it on the Academic Core roof as you enter the plaza from Guy Brewer Blvd.
Lunar eclipse. (11/11/03): An estimated 70 people came to campus to witness the beautiful total lunar eclipse on a chilly Saturday night, Nov 8. Viewers kept warm through the evening with coffee, cocoa, treats and enthusiasm. We were featured on NY1 news as well!
YCOOP #4 begins. (09/13/03): Wrapping up the York College Observatory & Outreach Program's teacher workshops, a group of science teachers learns about the Universe. Pictured are scenes from our workshop on Hubble's law, which proves that the Universe is expanding. (Click for all the pictures.)
Mars mania. (09/10/03): Over 45 people came to the first PON of the fall, clamoring to see Mars near its closest approach in millennia. It was a gorgeous warm evening, perfect for the new PON season.
Lunar eclipse. (05/15/03): Over 50 people came to the cloudy lunar eclipse on May 15! Despite the weather we had one brief glimpse of the shadowed Moon. There was a lot of lively discussion over posters, models and cookies. Thank you all for coming and showing such patience under the clouds. We're looking forward to the next eclipse in November.
2002 PON drew over 120. (12/19/02): The Public Open Night program drew over 120 Queens residents to the York College campus in its first year. Thank you all for coming! The new year will bring some exciting events, and we hope to see you again. Happy holidays.
YCO featured in Newsday. (11/12/02): Newsday ran an article featuring our Public Open Night program. Read the article on-line here. There were some nice pictures from a beautiful night a couple weeks ago when we had over 20 people attending.
Big turnout for special lecture on killer asteroids (10/02/02): Over 34 people came to this week's PON to listen to Dr. Paglione discuss the possible end of civilization on Earth due to an impact by an asteroid or comet. It was by far our biggest crowd for PON to date and everyone had a great time. Thanks for coming!
Posters of summer student work presented (10/01/02): Two posters of YCO summer interns' work were presented at the York College Intern Recruitment Fair on Oct 1. Maithu Raja (pictured at right with Tim Paglione) of Queens College, CUNY reported on "Classifying Variable Stars from their Periodograms" and Wainwright Joseph of York presented "CN/HCN: A Global Indicator of Star Formation?"
YCO featured in local paper (09/26/02): Stories about the YCO and its programs were highlighted in two local papers, the Southeast Queens Press (9/11) and the Queens Chronicle (9/26). News of our public offerings are spreading fast.
Observatory Site Decided (09/03/02): The site for the YCO has been unofficially decided. We plan to build in the patch of grass south of the Classroom Bldg, between 159th and 160th St. and Liberty and Archer Aves. A building design has been submitted to campus planning and B&G.

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Department of Natural Sciences
York College , CUNY
94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.
Jamaica, NY 11451
(718) 262-2650, FAX 2652