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The KAS meets on the first Friday of every month at 7:00 pm in the presentation center of the Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center (KAMSC), located on the fourth floor of Old Central High School.  Our General Meetings are open to the public and admission is always FREE.

Parking is available in the main lot or along Dutton Street.  You may enter Old Central through the Dutton Street entrance.  Please arrive before 7:15 pm, otherwise you'll get locked out.  Elevator access is available.  Meeting days, times and locations may vary, please check the Schedule of Events page before attending a meeting.

The first hour is generally the entertainment portion of the meeting with the business portion of the meeting in the second hour after a snack break. The program topics vary from month to month. Some of the programs are:
  • Video Presentations.
  • Lectures on Robotic and Manned Space Exploration.
  • Lectures on Amateur and Professional Astronomy.

Sometimes our meetings have a special theme to them.  In July members bring their special creations that help enhance the observing experience. This is called "Gadget Night".  In August we have our annual "Perseid Potluck Picnic".  The October meeting is "Astrophotography Night". Members show off their best (and sometimes worst) astrophotographs.  In December we hold our Annual Meeting and Holiday Party with lots of treats and surprises.




We have had a wide variety of guest speakers over the years.  Some of the topics have ranged from telescope construction to the evolution of galaxies in the early universe.

Many of our excellent guest speakers have come from the surrounding colleges and universities. Some of these institutions include Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Albion College, Grand Rapids Community College, Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan.

Please visit the Schedule of Events page for the latest information on upcoming meetings.

You can view images from past meetings in the General Meeting Gallery.



2009 General Meeting Schedule:

Date/Time/Location Topic
January 16
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
The 99 Years That Changed Astronomy
presented by Richard Bell
February 6
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
Misconceptions of the Big Bang
presented by Dr. Kirk Korista, Western Michigan University
March 6
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
An Unwanted Idea
The Short but Provocative History of Black Holes

presented by Mike Sinclair, KAMSC
April 10
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
Extrasolar Planets
Formation, Migration, and Long Term Evolution
presented by Dr. Fred C. Adams, University of Michigan
May 1
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
Telescopes of the Future
presented by Dr. Jack Baldwin, Michigan State University
June 5
7:00 pmKAMSC
Best Astronomy Images of 2009
presented by Dr. Robert Nemiroff, Michigan Tech. University
July 10
7:00 pmKAMSC
Gadget Night
Bring your custom creations!
August 15
6:00 pm @ KNC
Perseid Potluck Picnic
Our annual summer celebration - KAS members only
September 11
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
Amateur Spectroscopy
presented by Dr. Dale E. Mais
October 2
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
Stars, Dust and Megabytes
Panoramic Images of the Milky Way

presented by Dr. Axel Mellinger, Central Michigan University
November 6
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
Women of Astronomy, Holding up Half the Sky
presented by Terry Mann, Astronomical League President
December 4
7:00 pm
@ KAMSC
Annual Meeting & Holiday Party
Food, fun, prizes, and more - KAS members only


Download the Schedule & Map to KAMSC
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)


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