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The KAS is one of the most active organizations in West Michigan.  We hold a wide variety of entertaining and educational events throughout the community. Below is a schedule of all of our upcoming activities.  This page is updated regularly, so please visit often.  Unless noted otherwise, all KAS activities are open to the general public.


| Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |



Observing Session
Saturday, February 13 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center





Winter nights can be ideal for observing. When it's actually clear during a winter night in Michigan, the sky can be unbelievably transparent. So, why don't amateur astronomers turn out in droves to winter observing sessions? It's because it gets REALLY, REALLY COLD on a clear winter night! Now comes the time of year when the hardcore members of the KAS brave the frigid temperatures to enjoy the deep sky delights that most people probably miss because of the chilly conditions.


Please Note: This session is for KAS Members and their guests only.  If you'd like to attend then JOIN the KAS today!  Our regular pubic sessions will resume in April.





General Meeting
Friday, March 5 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Area Math & Science Center




We often believe that astronomy prior to the Renaissance was "finished" and complete, first described by Aristotle and formally presented to the world by Ptolemy. But there were cracks in the facade of the Greek model long before Nicholas Copernicus presented the first serious public alternative to the geocentric system. Join us as Mike Sinclair introduces us to the historical development of modern astronomy.

About the Speaker:
Mike Sinclair teaches physics, geology, mathematics, and astronomy at the Kalamazoo Area Mathematics & Science Center (KAMSC). He was named Michigan High School Science Teacher of the Year in 2006.  Mike is also past president of the KAS and a frequent guest speaker at our general meetings.





Observing Session
Saturday, March 13 @ 7:00 pm | Kiwanis Conservation Area





The work of comet-hunter and nebulae cataloger Charles Messier comes alive in March of each year as amateur astronomers participate in a one night search for all of the objects in his catalog of nebulae, star clusters and galaxies. By a quirk of fate, we are fortunate that most of the objects Messier and Méchain took 24 years to discover can be observed in one night around the time of the vernal equinox. Members are encouraged to bring a good pair of binoculars or a telescope and participate in this one night race across the sky.

Please Note: This session is for KAS Members and their guests only.  If you'd like to attend then JOIN the KAS today! Our regular pubic sessions will resume in April.





Full Moon Theater
Saturday, March 27 @ 7:00 pm | WMU Main Campus - 1110 Rood Hall





Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is nearing the completion of his 3-year-long contract with Lunar Industries, mining Earth's primary source of energy on the dark side of the moon. Alone with only the base's vigilant computer Gerty (voiced by Oscar-Winner Kevin Spacey, 1999 Best Actor, American Beauty) as his sole companion, Bell's extended isolation has taken its toll. His only link to the outside world comes from satellite messages from his wife and young daughter. He longs to return home, but a terrible accident on the lunar surface leads to a disturbing discovery that contributes to his growing sense of paranoia and dislocation so many miles away from home. Moon is an engrossing, intelligent sci-fi thriller that ranks with genre classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Admission is FREE! The KAS will provide the popcorn and soft drinks. You just need to show up and have a great time!

Directions:
Head north up the Howard Street hill from the intersection of Howard and Stadium Drive.  Turn right onto W. Michigan Ave. and then go left at the round-a-bout.  Turn right into the employee/student parking lot.  Parking is perfectly safe and free for anyone all day on Saturday.  Rood Hall is located just past Everett Tower.





General Meeting
Friday, April 9 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Area Math & Science Center



Carl Sagan said it best: “We are made of star stuff”.  Stars are born, live their lives and die. The most massive stars die in cataclysmic explosions called supernova. During this process they spread their newly-made elements across the Galaxy where they’re later used in a new generation of stars. The Sun, its planets, and YOU are made from recycled star stuff. Join us as Will Millar talks about the death stages of medium and high mass stars and how these end stages create the chemical elements used to make living organisms.

About the Speaker:
Will Millar teaches astronomy at Grand Rapids Community College and is the author of The Amateur Astronomer’s Introduction to the Celestial Sphere. Mr. Millar is also a member of both the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society and Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association.





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