E A R T H   D A Y   --  G R A N D   C E N T R A L
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2004 APRIL 24-25 -- SAT-SUN -- 09:00-18:00 EDST
42nd STREET -- PARK AVENUE -- NEW YORK
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    Earth Day 2004 is celebrated on April 24 Saturday and 25 Sunday in 
Grand Central Terminal, New York. Hours are on both days 09:00 thru 
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 praecicnts. The legendary moonlight 
lamppoles, unique to Manhattan, emitted its 'first light' right 
outside the Terminal. 
    During April 19 thru 25 the Main Concourse becomes a multiscreen 
show of 'Giant Earth Images'. 5-meter square space views of our home 
planet are projected on the walls of the Main Concourse! Continuous 
display runs from 10:00 thru 20:00 EDST every day. 
    Then, on the 24th and 25th the Vanderbilt Hall, the former waiting 
room of the depot, hosts EarthFair. Exhibitors from all disciplines, 
including home astronomy, crew booths and displays promoting the 
wonders of nature and our covenant to protect them. 
    NYSkies has a booth at EarthFair. The exhibition this year is 
entirely indoors. Yet, NYSkies will feature solar viewing! 
    Uh, how do you view the Sun from inside a massive stone and steel 
edifice? I won't explain now. That's why you should stop at the 
NYSkies table (and hope it's sunny outside). I 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 is at the confluence of the IRT's Lexington Av, 
Flushing, and 42nd St lines. It's the. ahem, grand central terminal 
for MetroNorth railroad. Buses swirl around the station on all sides. 
    Every thing, the Fair, all the music and dancers, and the 'Giant 
Earth Images' is FREE. No fees, no hidden costs. Just show up. 


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