The Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association (MHAA) is a group of amateur astronomy enthusiasts, centered around the Mid Hudson Valley in Southern New York State.  Our purpose is to educate the general public about Astronomy through public observing sessions, public lectures, and other outreach efforts.

Next Indoor Meeting

The Mystery of Beta Lyrae
Tuesday, February 21st - 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Beta Lyrae is the second brightest star in the summer constellation of Lyrae, the Harp, best known to Amature Astronomers for the bright star Vega, and the Ring Nebula. In 1784 it was discovered to be a variable star, with brightness. But modern science has discovered that this is no ordinary variable, but two stars orbiting so closely together that they are no longer even round.

Come join us, as Dr. Fred Chromey, Professor of Astronomy at Vassar College, presents "The Mystery of Beta Lyrae".

Read more details and directions

Next Star Party

Friday, February 17th - 7:30 pm

February means Orion is high in the sky, and while Jupiter is fading into the West, Mars will be in it's ideal viewing position this year (if we get a still atmosphere) as it starts it's retrograde path. The open clusters of Canis Major and Monoceres will also be great targets.

This event is at Lake Taghkanic State Park and as such and RSVP is required on our meetup site so the State Police don't ticket you for being in the park when it's closed.

More details and directions

Next Special Event

Sixth Annual High Point Shopping Spree and Luncheon
Saturday, January 28th - 10:30 am

Update: event is postponed to Jan 28th due to weather.

The 2012 event is scheduled for Saturday, January 21th, primary, or Saturday, January 28th backup. Members are encouraged to bring guests, that's the social part. It is always a fun event and a great opportunity to ogle the latest gadgets, acquire those vital accessories you just have to have, see each other in the daylight, and a good excuse to get out of the house in the middle of winter.

Read more details

News

Star Parties moving to Lake Taghkanic
2012-01-09 20:56

2012 brings us a new era at the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association. After many years using Wilcox Park as our primary location for monthly star parties, we've decided to try a new venue, Lake Taghkanic State Park.

Observing the Moon at Vassar Farms
2011-10-15 08:05

For the second year running, MHAA held an observe the moon night at Vassar Farms as part of their "Exploring a Sense of Space" series of events. We had about 10 MHAA volunteers show up this year, and somewhere between 80 - 100 guests over the course of the night.

The new MHAA Website
2010-12-06 21:26

Welcome to the new MHAA website, built on the drupal content management system.  The new MHAA website will make it easier to keep up with the astronomy events happening at the MHAA and the surounding areas.  This platform will let us bring some additional features to the community, so be sure to check back in the future for new features of the MHAA website.

Clear Skies!

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Get Involved

Join our yahoo discussion group!

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Printable List of Upcoming Events

A printable view of all the events of the year.  This includes special events (ours, astronomical phenomenon, and other events of interest), indoor meetings, and star parties.

Hourly Sky Coverage Graph

The sky cover for the area around Wilcox park, where our Star Parties take place.

The Sky Tonight

A great resource for what to look for in the sky tonight.  Good for experienced or novice observers.

 

Upcoming Events

January

February

March

April