In the Heart of Park Slope: Joe Delfausse’s Wholesome Stargazing Spectacle

Joe Delfausse, an 82-year-old astronomy enthusiast from Brooklyn, has become the talk of the town with his telescope set up on 9th Street and 8th Avenue in Park Slope. People from all over the neighborhood have been lining up to catch a glimpse of Saturn’s rings and the super blue moon.

Delfausse has been sharing his passion for astronomy with the community for the past 20 years, but it was a recent viral video on TikTok that brought even more attention to his telescope spectacle. In the video, Delfausse can be seen casually standing in the middle of the street, nodding at people to take a look through his telescope.

Despite the cloudy weather earlier in the day, the sky cleared just in time for nightfall, and Delfausse was ready to provide a space for neighbors to come together and appreciate the natural wonders above. He believes that connecting with others and making a difference in someone’s life is what it’s all about.

The line of people waiting to take a peek through the telescope quickly grew, with Delfausse counting up to 31 amazed individuals. As he adjusted the telescope to capture the best views, he marveled at the conversations and connections being made among strangers in line.

For many, it was their first time looking through a telescope, and the experience left them stunned. Park Slope resident Josh Harrison described it as an amazing way to see the community come together and a beautiful public service aspect. The communal experience warmed his heart.

Each person who had the opportunity to look through the telescope thanked Delfausse and gushed about seeing Saturn’s rings and the moon’s craters. Some even stood in line twice to get another look at the wonders of the night sky.

Mary Jane Callister and her two teenage kids, Henry and Frances Helquist, were among those who were able to see Saturn’s rings for the first time. Frances, whose favorite planet is Saturn, described it as weird and cool, with its ring of “space trash.”

As the night went on, Delfausse was joined by a fellow friend with a telescope, allowing them to split the viewing duties between the moon and the planet. Delfausse hopes to see more people with telescopes out on the streets, sharing the wonders of the universe with the community.

“What I did was nothing special. Anybody could do this,” Delfausse said. He believes that there are many telescope owners out there who could be doing the same thing and hopes to see telescopes set up on every street corner in New York City.

For now, Delfausse’s telescope on 9th Street and 8th Avenue continues to be the most “wholesome” club in New York, bringing people together to appreciate the beauty of the night sky and fostering connections among neighbors.

How has Delfausse’s telescope gatherings brought the community of Park Slope closer together and created a sense of awe and wonder?

Cting with the cosmos can bring people together and inspire a sense of awe and wonder.

Delfausse’s telescope, a vintage Celestron model, has become the star attraction in Park Slope. Local residents of all ages, from children to adults, have flocked to 9th Street and 8th Avenue to experience the beauty of Saturn’s rings and the mesmerizing super blue moon.

When asked about his motivation for sharing his passion with the community, Delfausse replied, “I’ve always been captivated by the mysteries of the universe. It’s something that should be accessible to everyone and I’m happy to provide that accessibility.”

His dedication to educating others about the night sky has not gone unnoticed. According to some residents, Delfausse’s telescope gatherings have sparked a newfound interest in astronomy among the neighborhood’s youth. One parent remarked, “Joe has a way of making science come alive. He’s sparked a curiosity in my kids that I never thought possible.”

Delfausse’s viral TikTok video, which now has millions of views, has catapulted him into local stardom. People from neighboring communities have started to venture out to Park Slope to witness the celestial wonders firsthand. Delfausse remains modest, saying, “I’m just happy to provide a place for people to come together and appreciate the universe.”

As a Brooklyn native, Delfausse has witnessed many changes over the years, but his love for astronomy has never waned. He hopes that his telescope gatherings will continue to inspire and foster a sense of unity within the community for years to come. With his telescope set up as a constant fixture on 9th Street and 8th Avenue, it’s clear that Delfausse’s impact on the neighborhood will be long-lasting.