Stargazing: Carl Schurz Park

The Amateur Astronomers Association hosts observing sessions, free and open to the public, one Friday night 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.

Weather permitting. Rain date the following day (Saturday).

2025 Observing Dates:

• April 11 (Rain date: April 12)
• May 9 (Rain date: May 10)
• June 6 (Rain date: June 7)
• July 12 Tanabata Festival
• Aug. 1 (Rain date: Aug. 2)
• Sept. 5 (Rain date: Sept. 6)
• Oct. 3 (Rain date: Oct. 4)