Comet Lovejoy and aircraft lights from UACNJ site in Jan. 2015 by AAA member Stan Honda.
The AAA is a member of the United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey (UACNJ), http://www.uacnj.org/ , a consortium of eleven clubs united to support, coordinate and communicate ideas among over 1,400 individuals who make astronomy their hobby in the area. UACNJ has an excellent facility in Jenny Jump State Park in northwestern New Jersey that is available to the member clubs. It is near the town of Hope and is one of the few dark sky sites left in the state. There are three permanent telescopes in observatories run by UACNJ and three observatories run by member clubs. An onsite building offers lecture space, a workshop for telescope repairs, a library, a gift shop and a warm place to hang out during cold observing.
The UACNJ facilities are open every Saturday evening from April to the end of October for public programs. An astronomy talk is followed by observing through the various telescopes until 10:30 pm.
AAA members can become official observers at UACNJ and enjoy access to the facilities during non-public times. As a member club we are encouraged to have people sign up as observers. The main duties are to assist at several of the Saturday public programs by helping coordinate the evening events. Observers are welcome to stay after the public closing of the site. Forms to sign up as a UACNJ observer will be on their web site. (You must be an AAA member to sign up).
As a club we can organize observing sessions at the Jenny Jump site for any day of the week or we can stay on after the Saturday public program. It is probably the closest dark sky site from New York City, just over one hour drive from the George Washington Bridge.