OGDENSBURG – Amateur astronomy is a fast-growing hobby that brings young people into contact with the cosmos in a way that no television show can. 

On Friday, Sept. 20,  join the Fort La Présentation Association on a tour of the night sky with amateur astronomer Dr. Tim Abel. Dr. Abel will have his 12-inch Dobsonian telescope on the Fort de la Présentation field starting at dusk, weather-permitting. After the sun goes down, those attending will have a close-up look at planets, stars, nebulae, and maybe even another galaxy. Bring flashlights and lawn chairs, your personal choice of insect repellent, and binoculars or even your own telescope if you have one.

In addition to star gazing the Fort Association will host Linda Besio, from the Nicandri Nature Center in Massena. Besio is offering the program, Bats of Northern New York. Visitors will have an opportunity to chat with a naturalist about local bat species, cool bat facts, and how bats are beneficial. Try your hand at using an acoustic bat detector to see what bats are out at night via their echolocation calls.

This is the fourth Star Gazing program the Fort Association has sponsored. Each has been well received, educational and most of all, fun.

The Abbé Picquet Trail is on the grounds of the Fort de la Présentation site which is located at 22 Albany Ave. Saturday, Sept. 21, has been chosen as the rain date in case of inclement weather which obscures the stars.

Abel is an adjunct instructor of Anthropology at SUNY Canton and Jefferson Community College and the senior Archaeologist at Timothy J. Abel, PhD.

For further information visit www.fort1749.org .