Welcome to Westchester Amateur Astronomers

We are a not–for–profit organization open to people of all ages with the desire to learn more about astronomy and who share an interest in viewing the universe. We range from enthusiastic amateurs and educators to casual stargazers and families. Everything you need to know about our organization is outlined below. Current astronomy news, feeds and astronomy resources can be found on the right side of the page.

You can reach the WAA via email at info (at) westchesterastronomers (dot) org

Membership

Annual dues are $25.00 per family which includes discounts on subscriptions to Sky and Telescope and Astronomy magazines (see below). To join the WAA, fill out our application and send it along with a personal check or money order to our P.O. Box.

Events

Special Events

Friday, June 14th

WAA Outreach Event at Wainwright House, Rye, NY

WAA has been invited to show the night sky to members of the public at historic Wainwright House in Rye, NY. The event will start about 9:15 pm after an introductory talk at 8:15 in their large tent by WAA President Larry Faltz. We need members with telescopes to show Saturn, the Moon and other objects. We expect a good sized crowd of all ages and backgrounds. If you can help, please RSVP to waa-president@westchesterastronomers.org. Wainwright House is near the Long Island Sound, east of Boston Post Road near Playland Parkway.

Thursday, June 27th

Outreach Event at Camp Ramah, Wingdale, NY

Club member Dave Butler arranges an annual viewing for children and adolescents at Camp Ramah. He needs members with scopes and he'd love you to participate. Please contact him at David.Butler@iriworldwide.com Location: Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, 91 Ramah Road, Wingdale, NY (41 40' 46 N 73 32 45w) Attendees: About 300 kids of different ages, very well organized: they come out in groups throughout the evening.

Monthly Lectures

Meetings are held in Lienhard Hall, in the Pleasantville Campus of Pace University

To get to Lienhard Hall from Miller Hall - Drive around to the north side of the Miller Hall complex. Go through the entrance and take the stairs or the elevator to the 3rd floor. OR walk through Miller Hall by going down the hall past the Miller lecture hall, taking the stairs on the right up one flight, then walking through the Nursing Department to the north end of Lienhard and then upstairs (or elevator) one more flight to the lecture hall.

Directions and a campus map can be found here

Join us at 7 PM for our social hour, a WAA tradition!

All lectures are free and open to the public.

Starway to Heaven

Starway to Heaven is our monthly observing night at The Meadow, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River, NY.

2013 Observing Dates

• June 1 - Rain Date June 8
• July 6 - Rain Date July 13
• August 3 - Rain Date August 10
• September 7 - Rain Date September 28
• October 5 - Rain Date October 26
• November 2 - Rain Date November 30

We typically set up and start observing within a half hour after sunset. You can find the time for sunset at Ward Pound Ridge here

"Starway to Heaven" is free and open to the public through the generosity of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. We encourage you to bring your telescope — especially if you need help using or setting it up.

Don't have a telescope? You can look through our members' equipment.

Call 1–877–456–5778 for weather cancellations. A good rule of thumb: Don't show up if you can't count more than 10 bright stars. Please read our General Observing Guidelines. The WAA cannot guarantee the turnout of members and telescopes during the winter months.

Newsletters

Read the latest SkyWAAtch newsletters:

We also have archived newsletters.

Contact Us

We'll be glad to answer all your questions; just send your inquiries to info (at) westchesterastronomers (dot) org

Officers

• Dr. Lawrence Faltz - President - email
• Paul Alimena - Secretary & Membership Chair - email
• Doug Baum - Treasurer - email
• David Parmet - Webmaster & Public Relations Chair - email
• Bob Kelly - Field Events - email
• Pat Mahon - Speaker Coordinator - email 
• Thomas Boustead - Newsletter Chair - email

About The "W"

The constellation Cassiopeia in its familiar "W" orientation as it appeared just above the treetops on Thursday, June 13, 1991 — the night the WAA was founded.