Public Invited to "Star Party" on Boston Common

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Astronomical Society is inviting the public to look through telescopes on historic Boston Common during the 224th AAS meeting (http://aas.org/meetings/aas224), which will attract more than 1,000 space scientists, science educators, and journalists to the Westin Copley Place from 1 to 5 June.

Members of the AAS and several Boston-area amateur-astronomy clubs will set up telescopes on the Boston Common Parade Ground at the corner of Charles St. & Beacon St. from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesday evening, 3 June. (Parking is available in the Boston Common Garage on Charles St.) The prime telescopic targets will be the Moon, the red planet Mars, and the ringed planet Saturn, but we hope to go after the asteroid Vesta, several colorful double stars, two showpiece star clusters, and perhaps a remote galaxy or two. Suitable for adults and kids of all ages, this event offers a unique opportunity to explore the universe overhead with astronomers available to answer all your questions.

Attendance at the star party is FREE and open to the public. Weather and logistics updates will be posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AmericanAstronomicalSociety

The AAS offers complimentary press registration to qualified local media representatives who wish to cover the 224th AAS meeting: http://aas.org/meetings/aas224/press-information

The AAS, established in 1899 and based in Washington, DC, is the major organization of professional astronomers and planetary scientists in North America. Its membership of about 7,000 also includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers, and others whose research interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising contemporary astronomy. The mission of the AAS is to enhance and share humanity's scientific understanding of the universe.

SOURCE American Astronomical Society