ASTRA

The Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area

The Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area (A.S.T.R.A.) is open to individuals who are interested in astronomy and space sciences. Members are of all ages and all levels of experience. Many are novices, some are advanced observers. Beginners are especially welcome.
A.S.T.R.A. has monthly meetings and participates in several star parties throughout the year. Check our Meeting & Star Party Schedule for times and locations.
Meetings cover a wide variety of topics (observational, theoretical, and amateur activities). Meetings may offer presentations by members, guest speakers, and or workshops on some aspect of astronomy.

	Members and non-members, check for the latest information on ASTRA's events and post questions.
	See what ASTRA has planned for this year.		Find out where to go and how to get there.
	Check out what astronomical objects to observe tonight.		Find out what the weather conditions are for observing in South-East New Jersey.
	Data supplied by J. Randolph Walton - See a list of astronomical events for this month.		Dedicated to ASTRA's outstanding members.

Next Meeting:

May 10th, 2013

Date: Friday, 5/10/2013 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm

The next meeting will be held at the Robert J. Novins Plantarium meeting room located on the Ocean Couty College campus (Bldg. 17 next to parking lot 2).

This meeting will include a 'show and tell' presentation and discussion by ASTRA memebers of their personal telescopes and accessories. If you're interested in learning about astronomy, telescopic observing, and other things space-related, join the amateur astronomers of ASTRA. Interested people of all ages are invited. Snacks will be served for ASTRA members and telescopes will be setup outside for observing after sunset. "Weather Permitting".

Watch the Venus & Jupiter conjunction from May 13th to May 28th!

Look to the west in the northern hemisphere after sunset to observe Venus and Jupiter seperated by only a few degrees. The event will be visible for about 4 hours about 30 minutes after sunset. Venus and Jupiter will move closer together throughout this month and be about 1 degree apart on May 28th. Mercury can also be observed from May 25th to 27th.

Join ASTRA at Jakes Branch County Park on Sat., May 18th!

ASTRA members will setup thier telescopes at Jakes Branch County Park, Double Trouble Road, Beachwood, NJ on Satuarday, May 18th from 7 to 10pm! Come join us near the Nature Center to observe the wonders of the night sky!

Mars 'Curiosity' rover successfully landed on Mars Monday, Aug. 6th!

The rover is healthy again, has analyzed the Martian atmosphere, has found evidence of subsurface water, drilled into a martian rock, analyzed the rock dust and found that conditions existed to support life!

Check on the rover's progress and view the images taken by the rover cameras anytime on the NASA Science website!

The 'New Horizons' spacecraft is only 6.36 AUs from Pluto!

The spacecraft is on target for a July 15, 2015 encounter with Pluto to be followed by a trip through the Kuiper Belt and a possible encounter with a KBO.

Members and non-members, check for the latest information on ASTRA's events and post questions.

See what ASTRA has planned for this year.

Find out where to go and how to get there.

Check out what astronomical objects to observe tonight.

Find out what the weather conditions are for observing in South-East New Jersey.

Data supplied by J. Randolph Walton - See a list of astronomical events for this month.

Dedicated to ASTRA's outstanding members.