Are asteroids a danger to Earth?
DART mission.

Presentation by John Martin

This presentation explores the real threat asteroids pose to Earth and showcases humanity’s proactive response through the groundbreaking DART mission. We’ll visually illustrate the potential devastation of an impact, then delve into how DART successfully altered an asteroid’s trajectory, demonstrating our capability to deflect future threats. Expect clear explanations of complex science, stunning visuals, and a hopeful message about our ability to protect our planet.

John Martin was born during the Apollo era and growing up during the Space Shuttle era, John has had a lifelong passion for space exploration and astronomy. While John’s career path led him into the computer science field, John has always maintained a deep interest in amateur astronomy. John is the editor for a magazine published by the Astronomical League as well as an active member of the Rochester Astronomy Club. He is an advocate for education and is heavily involved with astronomy-related community outreach programs. John is NASA Solar System Ambassador and webmaster for Astronomy League and Rochester Astronomy Club.

Observing

Public Sky Observing of the young Moon – 6.9 days after New Moon, planets Mars Jupiter Uranus bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

NASA and Astroleague have prepared an observing challenge for the general public on the 35th anniversary of the Hubble launch. To earn a silver certificate, you must do some outreach (on the web or in person) and observe at least one featured object each month and take a photo or draw it. Submit no later than the end of the following month. See more at Astroleague, NASA – April .

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 April 4 evening

Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

Resources: In the Sky April/2025, Phases of the Moon 2025, Planets rise and set 04/04, Sun and Moon 04/04, Sun today, Holidays 2025
Moon Features You Can See From Earth,
Messier list, Caldwell list, Double stars list, Carbon stars list

2025 Public Sky Observing Plan

Month	Day	DoW	Location	Sunset	Start	End	☽ age	Planets	Title
Jan	10	Fri	Oxbow Park	17:03	6:00 PM	7:30 PM	8.0	♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆	John Attwell: Mars Orbit
Feb	07	Fri	Oxbow Park	18:30	7:00 PM	8:30 PM	9.9	☿ ♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆	Bob Fealey: Winter Sky
Mar	07	Fri	Oxbow Park	19:06	7:30 PM	9:00 PM	8.4	☿ ♃ ⛢	Jay Mclaren: Messier Catalogue
Apr	04	Fri	Oxbow Park	19:42	8:30 PM	10:00 PM	6.9	♃ ⛢	Randy Hemann: Aurora Borealis
May	02	Fri	Watson	20:16	9:00 PM	11:00 PM	5.4	♃	5/3 Astronomy Day
May	24	Sat	Root River Park	20:40	9:30 PM	11:30 PM	26.6	♃
May	30	Fri	Eagle Bluff	20:45	9:30 PM	4:15 AM	3.4		@Members night
Jun	06	Fri	Watson	20:51	9:30 PM	11:30 PM	10.5
Jun	21	Sat	Root River Park	20:58	9:45 PM	11:45 PM	25.2	☿
Jul	04	Fri	Watson	20:57	9:45 PM	11:45 PM	9.0	☿
Jul	19	Sat	Root River Park	20:48	9:30 PM	11:30 PM	23.9
Aug	01	Fri	Watson	20:35	9:15 PM	11:15 PM	7.5
Aug	16	Sat	Root River Park	20:13	9:00 PM	11:00 PM	22.6		Frontenac??
Aug	22	Fri	Eagle Bluff	20:08	9:00 PM	3:45 AM	28.6		@Members night
Aug	29	Fri	Watson	19:52	9:00 PM	11:00 PM	5.9
Sep	09	Tue	Elgin	19:30	8:30 PM	10:30 PM	1.3	♄ ♆	Observing, after full Moon
Sep	13	Sat	Root River Park	19:24	8:00 PM	10:00 PM	21.3	♄ ♆
Sep	20	Sat	Frontenac	19:11	7:00 PM	11:00 PM	27.4	♄ ♆	Presentation and observing
Sep	24	Wed	Dodge Center PL	19:04	7:00 PM	11:00 PM	2.6	♄ ♆	Presentation and observing
Sep	26	Fri	Watson	19:00	8:00 PM	10:00 PM	4.4	♄ ♆	9/27 Astronomy Day
Oct	03	Fri	Root River Park	18:47	7:30 PM	9:30 PM	10.9	☿ ♄ ♆
Oct	18	Sat	Watson	18:21	7:00 PM	9:00 PM	26.9	☿ ♄ ♆
Oct	31	Fri	Oxbow Park	18:02	6:30 PM	8:00 PM	9.3	♄ ⛢ ♆	Presentation
Nov	28	Fri	Oxbow Park	17:35	6:00 PM	7:30 PM	7.7	♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆	Presentation
Dec	12	Fri	Oxbow Park	17:33	6:00 PM	7:30 PM	22.8	♃ ♄ ⛢ ♆	Presentation
event	March 07 previous				next May 02

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

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