Submitted Photos

IC 434
Photographer: Roger Dier
Witch’s Broom Nebula (NGC 6960)
Photographer: Macastronomer
The Swan (M17)
Photographer: Macastronomer
IC 434
Photographer: Roger Dier

Oct
16
Fri
Public Sky Observing 2026-10/16 @ River Road Dog Park
Oct 16 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Location:
River Road Dog Park / Rochester Dog Park North / GPS 44.089, -92.476 

Public Sky Observing of the young Moon – 5.6 days after New Moon, planets Saturn Neptune Uranus bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

What to expect at Public Sky Observing – click here.

Reload this page before you leave for the event. Event can be cancelled in case of cloudy weather or another reason.

Moon on Friday October 16 evening

Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

Resources: In the Sky October/2026, Phases of the Moon 2026, Planets rise and set 10/16, Sun and Moon 10/16, Sun today, Holidays 2026
Moon Features You Can See From Earth,
Messier list, Caldwell list, Double stars list, Carbon stars list

2026 Public Sky Observing Plan
Month Day DoW Location Sunset Start End ☽ age Planets Title
Jan 23 Fri Oxbow Park 17:03 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 8.0 ♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆ Randy Hemann
Feb 27 Fri Oxbow Park 18:30 6:30 PM 8:00 PM 9.9 ☿ ♀ ♂ ♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆ Presentation
Mar 27 Fri Oxbow Park 19:06 8:00 PM 9:30 PM 8.4 ☿ ♀ ♂ ♃ ⛢ Mike Benson
Apr 24 Fri Oxbow Park 19:42 8:30 PM 10:00 PM 6.9 ♂ ♃ ⛢ Bob Fealey
May 15 Fri Eagle Bluff 20:31 9:00 PM 3:45 AM 27.0 ♀ ♃ @Members night
May 16 Sat Eagle Bluff 20:32 9:00 PM 3:45 AM 28.0 ♀ ♃ @Members night
May 22 Fri Watson 20:16 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 5.4 ♀ ♃  
Jun 06 Sat Root River Park 20:40 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 26.6 ♀ ♃  
Jun 19 Fri Watson 20:57 9:45 PM 11:45 PM 5.1 ♀  
Jul 11 Sat Root River Park 20:54 9:45 PM 11:45 PM 25.2 ♀  
Jul 14 Tue Mayo Park 20:51 12:00 PM 2:00 PM 28.6 ♀  
Jul 17 Fri Watson 20:49 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 2.5 ♀  
Jul 18 Sat The Dean Johnson 20:48 7:30 PM 3:30 AM 3.5 ♀ @Members night
Aug 01 Sat Frontenac 20:35 8:30 PM 11:30 PM 16.7 ♀  
Aug 08 Sat Root River Park 20:24 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 23.8 ♀  
Aug 14 Fri The Dean Johnson 20:16 9:00 PM 6:00 AM 1.0 ♀ ♄ ♆ @Members night
Aug 15 Sat The Dean Johnson 20:15 9:00 PM 6:00 AM 2.0 ♀ ♄ ♆ @Members night
Aug 16 Sun The Dean Johnson 20:13 9:00 PM 6:00 AM 3.0 ♀ ♄ ♆ @Members night
Aug 21 Fri Watson 20:04 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 8.6 ♀ ♄ ♆  
Aug 22 Sat Forestville 20:03 12:00 PM 4:00 PM 9.6 ♀ ♄ ♆ Sun observing
Aug 22 Sat Forestville 20:03 8:30 PM 11:30 PM 9.6 ♀ ♄ ♆ Dark sky festival
Sep 12 Sat Root River Park 19:26 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 1.5 ♀ ♄ ♆  
Sep 18 Fri Watson 19:18 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 7.5 ♄ ♆  
Oct 03 Sat Root River Park 18:47 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 22.2 ♄ ♆ ⛢  
Oct 16 Fri Watson 18:24 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 5.6 ♄ ♆ ⛢ Ast.day
Oct 31 Sat Root River Park 18:01 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 20.8 ♄ ♆ ⛢  
Nov 13 Fri Oxbow Park 16:45 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 3.9 ♄ ♆ ⛢ Presentation
Dec 11 Fri Salem Glenn 16:31 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 2.3 ♄ ♆ ⛢ Presentation
event October 03 previous next October 31

☿ – Mercury, ♀ – Venus, ♂ – Mars, ♃ – Jupiter, ♄ – Saturn, ⛢ – Uranus, ♆ – Neptune

Color code
Oxbow Park Root River Park Soccer Fields Out of Rochester Moon visible

Facebook page

Nov
7
Sat
Public Sky Observing 2026-11/07 @ Root River Park
Nov 7 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Public Sky Observing of the planets Saturn Neptune Uranus bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

What to expect at Public Sky Observing – click here.

Reload this page before you leave for the event. Event can be cancelled in case of cloudy weather or another reason.

 

Resources: In the Sky October/2026, Phases of the Moon 2026, Planets rise and set 10/31, Sun and Moon 10/31, Sun today, Holidays 2026
Moon Features You Can See From Earth,
Messier list, Caldwell list, Double stars list, Carbon stars list

2026 Public Sky Observing Plan
Month Day DoW Location Sunset Start End ☽ age Planets Title
Jan 23 Fri Oxbow Park 17:03 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 8.0 ♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆ Randy Hemann
Feb 27 Fri Oxbow Park 18:30 6:30 PM 8:00 PM 9.9 ☿ ♀ ♂ ♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆ Presentation
Mar 27 Fri Oxbow Park 19:06 8:00 PM 9:30 PM 8.4 ☿ ♀ ♂ ♃ ⛢ Mike Benson
Apr 24 Fri Oxbow Park 19:42 8:30 PM 10:00 PM 6.9 ♂ ♃ ⛢ Bob Fealey
May 15 Fri Eagle Bluff 20:31 9:00 PM 3:45 AM 27.0 ♀ ♃ @Members night
May 16 Sat Eagle Bluff 20:32 9:00 PM 3:45 AM 28.0 ♀ ♃ @Members night
May 22 Fri Watson 20:16 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 5.4 ♀ ♃  
Jun 06 Sat Root River Park 20:40 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 26.6 ♀ ♃  
Jun 19 Fri Watson 20:57 9:45 PM 11:45 PM 5.1 ♀  
Jul 11 Sat Root River Park 20:54 9:45 PM 11:45 PM 25.2 ♀  
Jul 14 Tue Mayo Park 20:51 12:00 PM 2:00 PM 28.6 ♀  
Jul 17 Fri Watson 20:49 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 2.5 ♀  
Jul 18 Sat The Dean Johnson 20:48 7:30 PM 3:30 AM 3.5 ♀ @Members night
Aug 01 Sat Frontenac 20:35 8:30 PM 11:30 PM 16.7 ♀  
Aug 08 Sat Root River Park 20:24 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 23.8 ♀  
Aug 14 Fri The Dean Johnson 20:16 9:00 PM 6:00 AM 1.0 ♀ ♄ ♆ @Members night
Aug 15 Sat The Dean Johnson 20:15 9:00 PM 6:00 AM 2.0 ♀ ♄ ♆ @Members night
Aug 16 Sun The Dean Johnson 20:13 9:00 PM 6:00 AM 3.0 ♀ ♄ ♆ @Members night
Aug 21 Fri Watson 20:04 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 8.6 ♀ ♄ ♆  
Aug 22 Sat Forestville 20:03 12:00 PM 4:00 PM 9.6 ♀ ♄ ♆ Sun observing
Aug 22 Sat Forestville 20:03 8:30 PM 11:30 PM 9.6 ♀ ♄ ♆ Dark sky festival
Sep 12 Sat Root River Park 19:26 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 1.5 ♀ ♄ ♆  
Sep 18 Fri Watson 19:18 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 7.5 ♄ ♆  
Oct 03 Sat Root River Park 18:47 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 22.2 ♄ ♆ ⛢  
Oct 16 Fri Watson 18:24 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 5.6 ♄ ♆ ⛢ Ast.day
Nov 07 Sat Root River Park 18:01 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 20.8 ♄ ♆ ⛢  
Nov 13 Fri Oxbow Park 16:45 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 3.9 ♄ ♆ ⛢ Presentation
Dec 11 Fri Salem Glenn 16:31 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 2.3 ♄ ♆ ⛢ Presentation
event October 16 previous next November 13

☿ – Mercury, ♀ – Venus, ♂ – Mars, ♃ – Jupiter, ♄ – Saturn, ⛢ – Uranus, ♆ – Neptune

Color code
Oxbow Park Root River Park Soccer Fields Out of Rochester Moon visible

Facebook page

Nov
13
Fri
Public Sky Observing 2026-11/13 @ Oxbow Park
Nov 13 @ 7:07 pm – 8:07 pm

Public Sky Observing of the young Moon – 3.9 days after New Moon, planets Saturn Neptune Uranus bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

What to expect at Public Sky Observing – click here.

Reload this page before you leave for the event. Event can be cancelled in case of cloudy weather or another reason.

Moon on Friday November 13 evening

Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

Resources: In the Sky November/2026, Phases of the Moon 2026, Planets rise and set 11/13, Sun and Moon 11/13, Sun today, Holidays 2026
Moon Features You Can See From Earth,
Messier list, Caldwell list, Double stars list, Carbon stars list

2026 Public Sky Observing Plan
Month Day DoW Location Sunset Start End ☽ age Planets Title
Jan 23 Fri Oxbow Park 17:03 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 8.0 ♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆ Randy Hemann
Feb 27 Fri Oxbow Park 18:30 6:30 PM 8:00 PM 9.9 ☿ ♀ ♂ ♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆ Presentation
Mar 27 Fri Oxbow Park 19:06 8:00 PM 9:30 PM 8.4 ☿ ♀ ♂ ♃ ⛢ Mike Benson
Apr 24 Fri Oxbow Park 19:42 8:30 PM 10:00 PM 6.9 ♂ ♃ ⛢ Bob Fealey
May 15 Fri Eagle Bluff 20:31 9:00 PM 3:45 AM 27.0 ♀ ♃ @Members night
May 16 Sat Eagle Bluff 20:32 9:00 PM 3:45 AM 28.0 ♀ ♃ @Members night
May 22 Fri Watson 20:16 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 5.4 ♀ ♃  
Jun 06 Sat Root River Park 20:40 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 26.6 ♀ ♃  
Jun 19 Fri Watson 20:57 9:45 PM 11:45 PM 5.1 ♀  
Jul 11 Sat Root River Park 20:54 9:45 PM 11:45 PM 25.2 ♀  
Jul 14 Tue Mayo Park 20:51 12:00 PM 2:00 PM 28.6 ♀  
Jul 17 Fri Watson 20:49 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 2.5 ♀  
Jul 18 Sat The Dean Johnson 20:48 7:30 PM 3:30 AM 3.5 ♀ @Members night
Aug 01 Sat Frontenac 20:35 8:30 PM 11:30 PM 16.7 ♀  
Aug 08 Sat Root River Park 20:24 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 23.8 ♀  
Aug 14 Fri The Dean Johnson 20:16 9:00 PM 6:00 AM 1.0 ♀ ♄ ♆ @Members night
Aug 15 Sat The Dean Johnson 20:15 9:00 PM 6:00 AM 2.0 ♀ ♄ ♆ @Members night
Aug 16 Sun The Dean Johnson 20:13 9:00 PM 6:00 AM 3.0 ♀ ♄ ♆ @Members night
Aug 21 Fri Watson 20:04 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 8.6 ♀ ♄ ♆  
Aug 22 Sat Forestville 20:03 12:00 PM 4:00 PM 9.6 ♀ ♄ ♆ Sun observing
Aug 22 Sat Forestville 20:03 8:30 PM 11:30 PM 9.6 ♀ ♄ ♆ Dark sky festival
Sep 12 Sat Root River Park 19:26 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 1.5 ♀ ♄ ♆  
Sep 18 Fri Watson 19:18 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 7.5 ♄ ♆  
Oct 03 Sat Root River Park 18:47 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 22.2 ♄ ♆ ⛢  
Oct 16 Fri Watson 18:24 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 5.6 ♄ ♆ ⛢ Ast.day
Nov 07 Sat Root River Park 18:01 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 20.8 ♄ ♆ ⛢  
Nov 13 Fri Oxbow Park 16:45 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 3.9 ♄ ♆ ⛢ Presentation
Dec 11 Fri Salem Glenn 16:31 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 2.3 ♄ ♆ ⛢ Presentation
event October 31 previous next December 11

☿ – Mercury, ♀ – Venus, ♂ – Mars, ♃ – Jupiter, ♄ – Saturn, ⛢ – Uranus, ♆ – Neptune

Color code
Oxbow Park Root River Park Soccer Fields Out of Rochester Moon visible

Facebook page

Dec
11
Fri
Public Sky Observing 2026-12/11 @ Salem Glen Winery
Dec 11 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Wonders of the Winter sky

Presentation by Robert Fealey

This presentation invites audiences to explore the crisp, brilliant spectacle of the winter night sky, renowned for harboring some of the brightest stars and most iconic constellations of the year. Guided by the unmistakable figure of Orion the Hunter, attendees will discover how to navigate the heavens using the Winter Hexagon—an expansive asterism linking stellar powerhouses like Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Rigel—while unveiling deep-sky wonders such as the glowing Orion Nebula and the Pleiades star cluster. The session also addresses the unique advantages of winter stargazing, from longer, darker nights to unusually clear atmospheric conditions, while offering essential tips on equipment and cold-weather preparation. Designed for stargazers of all skill levels, this talk equips viewers with the knowledge to step outside and confidently decipher the season’s magnificent celestial canvas.

Observing:

Public Sky Observing of the young Moon – 2.3 days after New Moon, planets Saturn Neptune Uranus bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

What to expect at Public Sky Observing – click here.

Reload this page before you leave for the event. Event can be cancelled in case of cloudy weather or another reason.

Moon on Friday December 11 evening

Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

Resources: In the Sky December/2026, Phases of the Moon 2026, Planets rise and set 12/11, Sun and Moon 12/11, Sun today, Holidays 2026
Moon Features You Can See From Earth,
Messier list, Caldwell list, Double stars list, Carbon stars list

2026 Public Sky Observing Plan
Month Day DoW Location Sunset Start End ☽ age Planets Title
Jan 23 Fri Oxbow Park 17:03 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 8.0 ♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆ Randy Hemann
Feb 27 Fri Oxbow Park 18:30 6:30 PM 8:00 PM 9.9 ☿ ♀ ♂ ♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆ Presentation
Mar 27 Fri Oxbow Park 19:06 8:00 PM 9:30 PM 8.4 ☿ ♀ ♂ ♃ ⛢ Mike Benson
Apr 24 Fri Oxbow Park 19:42 8:30 PM 10:00 PM 6.9 ♂ ♃ ⛢ Bob Fealey
May 15 Fri Eagle Bluff 20:31 9:00 PM 3:45 AM 27.0 ♀ ♃ @Members night
May 16 Sat Eagle Bluff 20:32 9:00 PM 3:45 AM 28.0 ♀ ♃ @Members night
May 22 Fri Watson 20:16 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 5.4 ♀ ♃  
Jun 06 Sat Root River Park 20:40 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 26.6 ♀ ♃  
Jun 19 Fri Watson 20:57 9:45 PM 11:45 PM 5.1 ♀  
Jul 11 Sat Root River Park 20:54 9:45 PM 11:45 PM 25.2 ♀  
Jul 14 Tue Mayo Park 20:51 12:00 PM 2:00 PM 28.6 ♀  
Jul 17 Fri Watson 20:49 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 2.5 ♀  
Jul 18 Sat The Dean Johnson 20:48 7:30 PM 3:30 AM 3.5 ♀ @Members night
Aug 01 Sat Frontenac 20:35 8:30 PM 11:30 PM 16.7 ♀  
Aug 08 Sat Root River Park 20:24 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 23.8 ♀  
Aug 14 Fri The Dean Johnson 20:16 9:00 PM 6:00 AM 1.0 ♀ ♄ ♆ @Members night
Aug 15 Sat The Dean Johnson 20:15 9:00 PM 6:00 AM 2.0 ♀ ♄ ♆ @Members night
Aug 16 Sun The Dean Johnson 20:13 9:00 PM 6:00 AM 3.0 ♀ ♄ ♆ @Members night
Aug 21 Fri Watson 20:04 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 8.6 ♀ ♄ ♆  
Aug 22 Sat Forestville 20:03 12:00 PM 4:00 PM 9.6 ♀ ♄ ♆ Sun observing
Aug 22 Sat Forestville 20:03 8:30 PM 11:30 PM 9.6 ♀ ♄ ♆ Dark sky festival
Sep 12 Sat Root River Park 19:26 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 1.5 ♀ ♄ ♆  
Sep 18 Fri Watson 19:18 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 7.5 ♄ ♆  
Oct 03 Sat Root River Park 18:47 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 22.2 ♄ ♆ ⛢  
Oct 16 Fri Watson 18:24 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 5.6 ♄ ♆ ⛢ Ast.day
Nov 07 Sat Root River Park 18:01 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 20.8 ♄ ♆ ⛢  
Nov 13 Fri Oxbow Park 16:45 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 3.9 ♄ ♆ ⛢ Presentation
Dec 11 Fri Salem Glenn 16:31 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 2.3 ♄ ♆ ⛢ Presentation
event November 13 previous next January 15

☿ – Mercury, ♀ – Venus, ♂ – Mars, ♃ – Jupiter, ♄ – Saturn, ⛢ – Uranus, ♆ – Neptune

Color code
Oxbow Park Root River Park Soccer Fields Out of Rochester Moon visible

Facebook page

Jan
15
Fri
Public Sky Observing 2027-01/15 @ Oxbow Park
Jan 15 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Presentation and sky observing

Feb
12
Fri
Public Sky Observing 2027-02/12 @ Oxbow Park
Feb 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Mar
12
Fri
Public Sky Observing 2027-03/12 @ Oxbow Park
Mar 12 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Apr
23
Fri
Public Sky Observing 2027-04/23 @ Salen Glen Winery
Apr 23 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Wonders of the Spring sky

Presentation by Robert Fealey 

This presentation offers a comprehensive guide to the Spring sky, transitioning from the brilliant stars of winter to the “Great Diamond” of the vernal season. It highlights key constellations such as Leo the Lion, Boötes, and Virgo, providing practical “star-hopping” techniques—like following the arc of the Big Dipper to Arcturus—to help observers navigate the heavens. Beyond simple identification, the session explores the scientific significance of “Galaxy Season,” explaining how our view shifts away from the Milky Way’s dusty plane to reveal distant deep-space wonders. It serves as both a practical roadmap for amateur astronomers and a compelling look at the celestial mechanics that define the season.


Key Highlights:

  • The Spring Triangle: Identification of Arcturus, Spica, and Regulus.

  • Celestial Navigation: Using the Big Dipper as a primary guidepost.

  • Deep-Sky Objects: Why spring is the best time to view the Virgo Cluster.

Robert Fealey is a retired neurology doctor.  Robert is interested  in space exploration topics, like e.g. research of the Saturn moon Titan by spacecraft Cassini and lander Huygens. He has a small observatory in his backyard with a 10″ Meade telescope and a few smaller telescopes and digital cameras. He is passionate about astrophotography and he is an active member of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

 

Observing

Public Sky Observing planets  Uranus low on horizon next to the M45 – Pleiades, Jupiter, bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

What to expect at Public Sky Observing – click here.

Reload this page before you leave for the event. Event can be cancelled in case of cloudy weather or another reason.