Key Personnel

Membership Services	Bill Thys, 201-773-4067 Memberships@RocklandAstronomy.com
Journal Editor & Design Director	Angela Yanette Editor@RocklandAstronomy.com
Special Events & Observing	201-768-2238 845-47STARS
Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF)	Alan Traino, 973-427-2020 NEAF@RocklandAstronomy.com
Northeast Astro-Imaging Conference (NEAIC)	Jim Burnell, 845-986-3332 Bob Moore, 845-231-0509 NEAIC@RocklandAstronomy.com
Astrophotography	Bill Thys, 201-773-4067 BillThys@RocklandAstronomy.com
CCD Imaging	Jim Burnell, 845-986-3332 Jim Burnell@RocklandAstronomy.com
Summer Star Party	Jose Alvira, 845-446-4336 SummerStarParty@RocklandAstronomy.com
Media Services	Frank Bifulco, 845-368-4402 Media@RocklandAstronomy.com
Accounting	Mark Hettinger, 201-768-5720 MarkHettinger@RocklandAstronomy.com
Lecture Series Coordinator	Keith Murdock, 845-786-5645 KeithMurdock@RocklandAstronomy.com
Club Library	Audrey Salvatore, 845-928-6697 Library@RocklandAstronomy.com
Loaner Scope Program	Dr. Bernie Sokolowski, 845-362-2355 LoanerScope@RocklandAstronomy.com
Educational & Children's Programs	Ed Siemenn, 845-461-4799 EdSiemenn@RocklandAstronomy.com
Webmaster	Jim Burnell, 845-986-3332 Webmaster@RocklandAstronomy.com
Senior Advisors	Al Nagler, Dr. Jack Rosen

Member Services

Reduced Rate Subscriptions
Club members enjoy discounted magazine subscriptions when purchased or renewed through the club. Send your new subscription or renewal requeat to the club at the below listed address. If you are renewing please include your renewal card and make your check payable to the Rockland Astronomy Club.

• Sky and Telescope Magazine regular rate is $38.
  Members pay only $33 for new or renewal.
• Astronomy Magazine regular rate is $39.
  Members pay only $34 for new or renewal. Please send your request to:

  Rockland Astronomy Club
  Subscription Request
  225 Route 59
  Suffern, NY 10901-5203

Understanding the Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy - This is a college-level course consisting of 40 lectures on VHS videotapes that is available to members of the Rockland Astronomy Club.

Discounts on books and observing aides ordered from Kalmbach Publishing and Sky Publishing.

Annual Member's Dinner in January or February.

Our own "Summer Star Party" at Shady Pines Campground in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts.

Club Sanctioned Observing Locations and Directions

For many of the brighter celestial objects, amateur astronomers prefer to observe from their backyards or driveways. Light pollution has a very minimal effect on the bright objects (Moon, Planets) and some of the best "seeing" conditions can be found in urban and suburban areas because of steady air and little turbulance caused by ground sources.

Important information about Club Observing Permits (PDF)
Rockland Astronomy Club has several official observing sites that can be visited by members and guess but some caution is advised depending on where you decide to go. It is permissable to attend some of our sites only with a permit in hand and some, only during scheduled observing sessions where prior permission has been granted. Before attending any of these sites make sure you have the right information, presented below, so you do not have a problem once you get there.

• Anthony Wayne State Park
  Location: Exit 17, Palisades Interstate Parkway

  The entrance to the park is Exit 17 on the Palisades Interstate Parkway. As you enter the park, you will see the large paved parking lot on your right. Telescopes are set up on the grass just beyond the pavement at the north end of the parking lot. Restroom facilities are a short walk up the path past the flag pole. Turn left where the path divides.

  Access to this area is restricted to scheduled observing sessions and / or public observing nights. Please do not attend this site on other nights since you run the risk of being ticketed by the local law enforcement agency. Check our Calendar of events for scheduled nights at this site.

 

• Silvermine
  From the Palisades Interstate Parkway Exit 18, take Seven Lakes Drive west for approximately one mile. Silvermine picnic area is on your left. Park cars in left or right parking lots and walk across bridge to viewing area. Members with telescopes may drive across bridge.

 

• Lake Sebago (not currently being used for observing)
  From the Palisades Interstate Parkway, take exit 16 following poster signs. At bottom of long hill at stop sign, go half way around the traffic oval to the entrance road. Park at read of building and walk around to the front.

  From Rt. 17 in Sloatsburg, turn onto Seven Lakes Drive and continue 5 1/2 miles to the traffic oval. Go 3/4 around and follow rest of directions above.

  Access to this area is restricted to scheduled observing sessions and / or public observing nights. Please do not attend this site on other nights since you run the risk of being ticketed by the local law enforcement agency. Check our Calendar of events for scheduled nights at this site.

 

• Wawayanda State Park
  Location: off Warwick Turnpike, Vernon, Twsp. NJ
  From Rockland County: North on Rt. 17, West on Sloatsburg Road, to Eagle Valley Road, to Sterling Mine Road, to Mill Pond Road, to Margaret King Avenue, to Greenwood Lake Turnpike, to Warwick Turnpike.

  From Bergen County: West on Rt. 4, West on Rt. 208, at Oakland take Skyline Drive to Greenwood Lake Turnpike, to Warwick Turnpike.

  Access is permissable with the proper permit in your possession and a courtesy telephone call the day you plan to attend, notifying the park administrator that you will be there, giving time of arrival and approximate time of departure. A copy of the permit may be obtained by E-Mail (Observing@rocklandastronomy.com) or by mail by request to the club addressed to:

  Rockland Astronomy Club
  Attn: Observing
  225 Route 59
  Suffern, NY 10901-5203
  Permit copies will be given to club members only.
  Tel: 201-768-2238

  The observing site is the main parking lot at the end of the access road, adjacent to the lake. Other areas are restricted to visitors.

  Please remember that we must observe at the BEACH PARKING LOT, NOT THE BOAT LAUNCHING LOT. Also, one person in the group MUST have a copy of the permit on his person at all times.

  BEAR ALERT! AS I HAVE CAUTIONED MANY TIMES, NEVER GO WAWAYANDA OR LAKE TAGHKANIC BY YOURSELF! ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS SET UP YOUR TELESCOPE CLOSE TO YOUR VEHICLE. LEAVE YOUR KEY IN THE IGNITION IN CASE YOU MUST DRIVE AWAY QUICKLY. IF YOU BRING FOOD, KEEP IT IN YOUR CAR AND EAT IT IN YOUR CAR. KEEP YOUR CAR WINDOWS CLOSED.

 

• "Tahgkanic State Park"
  Location: Ancram, NY on the Taconic Parkway

  About 1.5 hours drive north from the metropolitan area, here is a dark sky location that is very open and accessible. A permit is required and a copy may be obtained from the club upon request.

  BEAR ALERT! AS I HAVE CAUTIONED MANY TIMES, NEVER GO WAWAYANDA OR LAKE TAGHKANIC BY YOURSELF! ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS SET UP YOUR TELESCOPE CLOSE TO YOUR VEHICLE. LEAVE YOUR KEY IN THE IGNITION IN CASE YOU MUST DRIVE AWAY QUICKLY. IF YOU BRING FOOD, KEEP IT IN YOUR CAR AND EAT IT IN YOUR CAR. KEEP YOUR CAR WINDOWS CLOSED.

Miscellaneous

The club holds an annual dinner each January or February at which time club members get together for a night of fun, relaxation and a good meal. A slide program usually follows dinner.

The club sponsors the Northeast Astronomy Forum & Telescope Show every Spring at the Holiday Inn located at exit 14B (Airmont Road) of the NY Thruway. Dozens of manufacturers and vendors set up tables and display their wares. Speakers present talks throughout the day. Many door and raffle prizes given away. Admission is charged to all who attend, including club members. Members of other clubs from Maryland to New Hampshire usually attend.

Our club sponsors the Summer Star Party and Family Camping Vacation for a full week, each July or August at a private camp ground in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. The skies at this location are very dark and the price can't be beat. All campsites have water and electricity hookups. Most attendees visit various tourist attractions during the days. Motels are located nearby for those who do not camp.

We plan organized trips to special events such as solar eclipses and national star parties. In the past we have gone to Australia (twice), Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, Texas, and California.

We hold monthly "Joy of the Universe" public star parties at Lake Sebago and Anthony Wayne State Parks from April through October. Many of our members joined the club after having attended one of these events.

RAC is affiliated with the Astronomical League, a national organization of more than 230 clubs with more than 10,000 members. As a member of RAC you will receive the quarterly bulletin that is published by the league.

We are also happy to be a supporter of the International Dark Sky Association that is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. This organization works closely with amateur astronomers around the country fighting light pollution by educating state and local officials about the benefits of good night time lighting.

As a member of the club, you are entitled to reduced rate subscriptions to Sky & Telescope and Astronomy magazines. If you already receive either of these monthly publications, you may also renew your subscriptions (through the club) at the same reduced rates. Contact Memberships for current rates and procedures.