Custer Observatory Astronomy Jamboree Is October 25-27

The Custer Institute, the oldest public observatory on Long Island, hosts the 35th annual Astronomy Jamboree this weekend, October 25 through 27.

Everyone from scientists to hobbyists and casual astronomy fans are invited for lectures, exhibits, planetarium sessions, stargazing and solar observing.

Registration begins Friday at 6 p.m. at the observatory, 1115 Main Bayview Road, Southold. From 7 p.m. on, there will be poetry readings, and all guests are invited to bring their astronomy-inspired poems.

Bob Boutcher will lead guests in singing “The Astronomers Drinking Song.”

Observation will last as long as skies are clear, and guests are invited to bring their own telescopes as well.

Then on Saturday, the programming all takes place at the Eastern Campus of Suffolk County Community College in Riverhead.

The City Dark, a film about light pollution, will be shown at 10:30 a.m., followed by a conversation with Susan Harder, a representative of the International Dark Sky Association. Also at 10:30 a.m., in the Suffolk County Community College Planetarium, The Interstellar Boundary Explorer will be screened.

Then, after lunch, the afternoon is packed with presentations and planetarium shows.

Joe Rao will be the keynote speaker at the 8 p.m. lecture, “Ghosts From Space: Getting Acquainted With Comets.”

Stargazing with resume at 10 p.m. at the Custer Observatory.

Sunday, in the predawn hours, there will be observing at Orient Beach State Park, with hopes of seeing The Green Flash at sunrise. Morning presentations at Custer Observatory will be followed by solar observing in the afternoon.

For passes and dinner packages, visit http://www.custerobservatory.org/jamtickets.htm