Tag Archives: skitt

From the Observatory Chair

By David Skitt The Solar Observing Memorial Day Weekend event on Saturday, May 27th, held at AAAP’s Observatory in Washington Crossing State Park was awesome! We had 10 volunteers/keyholders.  Not sure of the breakdown of members in attendance versus general public … Continue reading

Posted in June 2023, May 2023, Sidereal Times | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Images from NEAF

Some of our members attended NEAF.

Posted in May 2023, Sidereal Times | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Columns of Observation

by Dave Skitt, Observatory Chairperson After two+ years of planning, coordination and an unnerving NJDEP permitting process, the columns that allow for open sky observation from within the walls of AAAP’s Simpson Observatory have finally been replaced.  The original cinder-block … Continue reading

Posted in Mid-summer 2022, Sidereal Times | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sunny Solar Observing Success! – May 29, 2022

by Dave Skitt, Observatory Chair After several weeks of rains outs on public Friday nights and scheduled members nights, AAAP finally got a break with its Solar Observing event hosted at our observatory in Washington Crossing State Park. The skies … Continue reading

Posted in June 2022, Sidereal Times | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Extension of our Friday Night Public Observing Season

by Dave and Jennifer Skitt, Observatory Chairperson(s) The AAAP Board has voted to extend the Friday night public season until the last Friday in November.  We felt that the delayed season start due to pandemic restrictions and poor weather warranted giving … Continue reading

Posted in November 2021, Sidereal Times | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Observatory Report

by Dave and Jennifer Skitt, Observatory Chairperson(s) Figured I give everyone an update on a recent Keyholder (KH) refresher training session.  We had nine persons total, 6 KH’s and 3 KH’s in training.  Rafael Caruso received his key at the … Continue reading

Posted in June 2021, Sidereal Times | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Close-Focusing Test with the Hastings-Byrne Refractor

by John Church In recent issues of Sidereal Times I’ve been discussing whether our 1879 Hastings objective was designed using John Herschel’s 1822 procedure.  Herschel’s method was a major advance that gave very good results for its time.  As part … Continue reading

Posted in June 2021, Sidereal Times | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Greetings from the Observatory Co-Chairs

Posted in January 2021, Sidereal Times | Tagged , | Leave a comment

From The Observatory

by Dave Skitt, Observatory Chairperson As of this moment, the Labor Day Solar Observing Session hosted by AAAP and Wayne Henderek at the WCSP Nature Center is still scheduled to take place either Saturday or Monday afternoon.  This is a call … Continue reading

Posted in September 2020, Sidereal Times | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Observatory Public Nights Postponed. Our Skies Remain Open

by Dave Skitt, Observatory Chairperson The State of New Jersey closed our public state park buildings. This is part of the COVID 19 virus response. AAAP delayed the opening of our observatory for Friday Night Public Observing for your safety. This delay will remain in effect until … Continue reading

Posted in April 2020, Sidereal Times | Tagged , | Leave a comment