[General Meetings]

The KAS meets on the first Friday of almost 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 7:10 pm, otherwise you may 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 includes:
  • Albion College
  • Central Michigan University
  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Grand Rapids Community College
  • Kalamazoo College
  • Loyola University (Chicago)
  • Michigan State University
  • Michigan Technological University
  • Northwest Michigan College
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Notre Dame
  • Western Michigan University
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.

2013 General Meeting Schedule:
Date/Time/Location Topic
January 11
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
The 4 E's: Educate, Enlighten, Entertain & Enthrall
presented via Skype by Dr. Fiorella Terenzi
February 1
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
Eclipse in Paradise
presented by Dave Garten
March 1
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
An Introduction to Astrophotography
presented by Terry Hancock, Down Under Observatory
April 5
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
From Quantum Mechanics to Cosmology:
Dreams of Unification

presented by Mike Sinclair
May 3
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
Measuring Expansion of Universe with Type Ia Supernovae
presented by Dr. John Marriner, Fermilab
June 7
7:00 pmNature Center
Star-Hopping the Summer Milky Way
presented by Richard Bell, KAS President
July 12
7:00 pm @ Nature Center
Gadget Night
Share your custom creations!
August 10
6:00 pm @ Nature Center
Perseid Potluck Picnic
Our annual summer celebration - KAS members only
September 6
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
MAVEN Mission to Mars
presented by Dr. Steve Bougher, University of Michigan
October 4
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
Astrophotography Night
KAS shutterbugs show off their wares.
November 1
7:00 pm @ KAMSC
Phantoms from the Deep,
Great Comets of the Past and (Maybe) Present

presented by David DeBruyn
December 6
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)