A M E R I C A N   U R B A N   S T A R   F E S T
 =============================================
 Saturday 9 October 2004 - 18:00 TO 23:00 EDST 
   Sheep Meadow - Central Park - Manhattan

 John Pazmino
 NYSkies 
 2004 October 6 
 john.pazmino{at}moondog.com

Introduction 
 ---------- 
    The tenth annual American Urban Star Fest is on Saturday 9 October 
2004 from 18:00 thru 23:00 Eastern Daylight Saving Time in the Sheep 
Meadow of Central Park on Manhattan. All activity is outdoors; the 
Fest is cancelled for thick clouds or rain. It convenes under thin 
cloud or haze. If you see the Sun near sunset, we're on. 

History
 ----- 
    The Fest celebrates the comeback of the our natural nightsky over 
New York City since the mid 1990s. It began in 1995 with the 
realization that the normal clearsky transparency over Manhattan 
deepened to fourth magnitude, on a steady, altho slow, betterment of 
of the City's nightsky. Since then the transparency is still fourth 
magnitude, but with more and more frequent nights of 4-1/2 magnitude 
transparency. All this is a miraculous progress toward the 'Promise 
for starry eyes' project among New York astronomers.

Sponsors
 ------ 
    The American Urban Star Fest is a program of NYC Department of 
Parks, NYC Urban Park Rangers, and area astronomers. NYSkies 
participates with telescopes and sky interpretation. This year the 
Rangers invited other Earth and space groups to share space at 
litterature tables. 

What's going on
 -------------
    The grassy fields of Sheep Meadow are open for an autumn picnic 
under the stars, the very real stars in our reviving nightsky. We 
provide interpretation, explanation, and telescopic views of the 
night's interesting targets. All this is set against a background of 
light music, a couple short talks by local astronomers, and 
freeflowing banter about the heavens.

Where we are 
 ----------
    We're set up in the northwest corner of Sheep Meadow, near Tavern-
on-the-Green. The easiest entry is thru the carpark of that 
restaurant at 65th St and Central Park West. 
    If you enter the Park from any other gate, make your way to Sheep 
Meadow and find us in the northwest corner. Parts of the Meadow may be 
fenced off for maintenance. Walk around the fence to the Tavern gate 
of the Meadow. 
    Urban Park Rangers are spotted thruout the area to direct you to 
the Fest. 

Sheep Meadow
 ----------
    Sheep Meadow is named for its former role as a sheep meadow. When 
Central Park opened this 88 hectare greenfield, in the 60s streets of 
Manhattan, was 'the Green' set aside for army exercises. In 1864 the 
City did away with this function, then common in other parks as well, 
and gave the field to sheep raising.. 
    Over the years the flock varied from about 100 to 300 and was 
cared for by a resident shepherd who lived in a barn where Tavern-on-
the-Green now sits. In the morning and evening the shepherd closed the 
perimeter road to pass the sheep from barn to field and back. The 
field was renamed Sheep Meadow. 
    In 1934 the City moved the sheep operations to Prospect Park, 
where it was discontinued about 1940. Sheep Meadow was rebuilt as a 
pastoral planitia for general enjoyment. The barn was incorporated 
into the Tavern-on-the-Green restaurant. 
    When you cross from Tavern-on-the-Green into Sheep Meadow, you are 
retracing the hoofsteps of the bygone sheep! 

What to bring
 -----------
    Definitely a sweater or jacket for the autumn chill, even if the 
day be mild. A picnic or beach blanket. Starcharts and binoculars. 
Lawnchair or pillows. And a basket of eats. We have the telescopes for 
you to inspect the night's featured objects. 

Nearby services
 -------------
    Eateries are along Broadway and Columbus Av and around Lincoln 
Center. Most will pack a bag of goodies for you to munch on during the 
Fest. Policing is provided by the NYC Urban Park Rangers and NYC 
Police Department. 

 Continued in next message.

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