The Amateur Astronomers Association of New York hosts observing sessions, free and open to the public, one Friday night (rain date Saturday) each month from May through October at Carl Schurz Park in Manhattan. Carl Schurz Park is located along East End Avenue at the end of East 86th Street. The park has a lovely view of a lot of sky above the East River, Roosevelt Island, Queens, and the Queensborough and Triborough bridges.

We meet on the park esplanade (John Finley Walk), overlooking the East River. The 86th Street entrance to the park is the closest to where we set up, though that entrance requires climbing stairs to reach the esplanade. One may enter the park at many other points, including 87th Street, thereby avoiding the stairs.

2026 Observing Dates:

• May 1
• June 5
• July 11 (Saturday; Tanabata Festival)
• August 7
• September 4
• October 2