EARTH DAY - GRAND CENTRAL

2008 APRIL 18-19 - FRI-SAT - 12:00-18:00
42^nd STREET - PARK AVENUE - NEW YORK

   Earth Day is celebrated on 2008 April 18-19 at Grand Central Terminal. Hours are 12:00-18:00 EDST.
    The setting couldn't be more emotionally uplifting for the home astronomer! The Terminal, now restored and modernized, represents one of the grandest success stories in the annals of home astronomy. It is the cynosure of the second of Earth's two crown cities, Grand Central, which itself is in the midst of a full-press effort to eradicate luminous graffiti thruout its praecincts. The legendary moonlight lamppoles, unique to Manhattan, emitted its 'first light' right outside the Terminal.
    On the 18th and 19th, Vanderbilt Avenue, adjacent to the depot, hosts the EarthFair. Exhibitors from all disciplines, including home astronomy, crew booths and exhibits promoting the wonders of nature and our covenant to protect them.
    NYSkies has its booth at this EarthFair, which is outdoors in tents. Yet, NYSkies features solar viewing from INSIDE the terminal! Uh, how do you view the Sun from inside a massive stone and steel edifice? We won't explain now. That's why you should stop at the NYSkies table (and hope it's sunny outside). We can let on that one of the viscerally enchanting features of Grand Central Terminal is the astronomy embedded in it, some from its opening in 1913, all the way to some put in place only a couple years ago.
    Grand Central Terminal is at the confluence of the IRT Lexington Av, Flushing, and 42nd St lines. It's the. ahem, grand central terminal for MetroNorth Railroad. Buses swirl around it on all sides.
    The EarthFair, with demos, exhibits, music, performers, food samples, handouts, are FREE. No hidden fees or costs. Just come to Grand Central Terminal! Then, follow up with NYSkies at 'www.nyskies.org', 'nyskies@nyskies.org', or 212-273-5958.