Kiwanis Star Party - CANCELED Saturday, June 29 @ 8:00 pm | Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area

Due to scheduling conflicts the Kiwanis Star Party has been canceled. We apologize for any disappoint this might cause. The Kiwanis Star Party WILL be held on August 24th.

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General Meeting Friday, July 12 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

Double Feature!


On the morning of February 15, 2013, a 7,000-ton asteroid crashed into the Earth's atmosphere, exploded, and fell to the ground across a wide swath near the Ural Mountains in Russia. A blinding flash of light streaked across the sky, followed by a shuddering blast strong enough to damage buildings and send more than 1,000 people to the hospital. According to NASA, the Siberian meteor exploded with the power of 30 Hiroshima bombs and was the largest object to burst in the atmosphere since the Tunguska event of 1908 - another impact in Siberia that left few eyewitnesses or clues. This time, the event was captured by digital dashboard cameras, now common in Russian autos and trucks.

Within days, NOVA crews joined impact scientists in Russia as they hunted for clues about the meteor's origin and makeup. Is our solar system a deadly celestial shooting gallery - with Earth in the crosshairs? And what are the chances that another, more massive asteroid is heading straight for us?



Today the astronomical marketplace is flooded with telescopes and accessories of all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. However, even with the wealth of goods now available, there are some gadgets that can only be hand crafted. It just goes to show that necessity really is the mother of invention and thankfully amateur astronomers are an ingenious lot.

For our next meeting we invite KAS members to trot out the results of their latest brainstorming. Please feel free to bring along any interesting astronomically themed doodads, doohickeys, and devices you’ve purchased as well. You won't want to miss this fun and entertaining evening.

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Public Observing Session Saturday, July 13 @ 9:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of a summer evening, we watch the stars appear one by one. Before too long, twilight's window gives way to the starry curtain, signaling the beginning of a night of stargazing. The KAS invites you to a pleasant evening under nature's grandest spectacle - the universe itself. 
 
Highlights of night include the deep sky objects of summer such as bright nebulae.

Sessions will be canceled if the sky is mostly cloudy or overcast. For cancellation information, please check this website starting at 3:00 pm on the day of the session or call the Nature Center at (269) 381-1574. Please contact us if you have any additional questions.

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Public Observing Session Saturday, July 27 @ 9:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of a summer evening, we watch the stars appear one by one. Before too long, twilight's window gives way to the starry curtain, signaling the beginning of a night of stargazing. The KAS invites you to a pleasant evening under nature's grandest spectacle - the universe itself. 
 
Highlights of the night include the Moon and the deep sky objects of summer such as planetary nebulae.

Sessions will be canceled if the sky is mostly cloudy or overcast. For cancellation information, please check this website starting at 3:00 pm on the day of the session or call the Nature Center at (269) 381-1574. Please contact us if you have any additional questions.

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General Meeting Saturday, August 10 @ 6:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

Mark your calendar.  Pray for good weather.  It's time for the big social event of the year for the KAS. So get ready to party!  Here are the details:
 
The KAS will provide the hot dogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers (by order).  You will be required to bring your own beverages, table service, lawn chairs, bug spray, and a dish to pass.  Condiments will be provided by the KAS.

While dinner is cooking we will have solar observing available through the 12" LX200 in Owl Observatory and other KAS member telescopes.  Feel free to bring any type of outdoor games or toys to pass the time while we wait for dinner.
 
Stargazers should be prepared to observe the deep sky delights of the summer Milky Way and maybe even a few Perseid meteors.  This gathering will take place rain or shine, so be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws our way!

Please Note:  This event is for KAS Members and invited guests only.  If you'd like to attend then JOIN the KAS today!

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Public Observing Session Saturday, August 10 @ 8:30 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of a summer evening, we watch the stars appear one by one. Before too long, twilight's window gives way to the starry curtain, signaling the beginning of a night of stargazing. The KAS invites you to a pleasant evening under nature's grandest spectacle - the universe itself. 
 
Highlights of the night include the deep sky objects of summer and some Perseid meteors.

Sessions will be canceled if the sky is mostly cloudy or overcast. For cancellation information, please check this website starting at 3:00 pm on the day of the session or call the Nature Center at (269) 381-1574. Please contact us if you have any additional questions.

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Kiwanis Star Party Saturday, August 24 @ 7:00 pm | Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area

The public is invited to bring family and friends to join the Battle Creek Kiwanis Club and Kalamazoo Astronomical Society for an evening of stargazing at the Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area. Gates open at 8:00 pm with telescope setup followed by planet, star and deep space observing. You may see something you have never seen before and learn something unforgettable about the universe. 

Bring your binoculars or telescopes. There will be a lot to see in the sky regardless of the scope size. Several KAS members will bring larger telescopes and assist in locating celestial objects.

There will also be a guided tour of the currently visible stars and constellations by a veteran stargazer.

The session will be canceled if the sky is overcast or cloudy. For cancellation information, please visit this website or call the Star Party hotline at (269) 223-9118 after 3:00 pm on June 29th for the latest information.
 
Directions to Kiwanis Youth Area
From I-94 turn north on I-69 then west on N Drive North (Exit 42). Follow N Drive North (.5 mile) to the blinking light at Cornwell's Turkeyville. Turn north (right) onto 15-1/2 Mile Road You will be joining 15 Mile Road along the way.  Continue (3.6 miles) to the gate of the Kiwanis Youth Area on the right (.6 mile) past T Drive North.

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Public Observing Session Saturday, August 31 @ 8:30 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of a summer evening, we watch the stars appear one by one. Before too long, twilight's window gives way to the starry curtain, signaling the beginning of a night of stargazing. The KAS invites you to a pleasant evening under nature's grandest spectacle - the universe itself. 
 
Highlights of the night include the deep sky objects located inside the Summer Triangle; an asterism made up of the bright stars Vega, Deneb, and Altair.

Sessions will be canceled if the sky is mostly cloudy or overcast. For cancellation information, please check this website starting at 3:00 pm on the day of the session or call the Nature Center at (269) 381-1574. Please contact us if you have any additional questions.

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General Meeting Friday, September 13 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Math & Science Center

Details coming soon...

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Public Observing Session Saturday, September 14 @ 8:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of a late summer evening, we watch the stars appear one by one. Before too long, twilight's window gives way to the starry curtain, signaling the beginning of a night of stargazing. The KAS invites you to a pleasant evening under nature's grandest spectacle - the universe itself. 
 
Highlights of the night include the Moon and the distant gas giant planets Uranus and Neptune.

Sessions will be canceled if the sky is mostly cloudy or overcast. For cancellation information, please check this website starting at 3:00 pm on the day of the session or call the Nature Center at (269) 381-1574. Please contact us if you have any additional questions.

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Public Observing Session Saturday, September 28 @ 8:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of a autumn evening, we watch the stars appear one by one. Before too long, twilight's window gives way to the starry curtain, signaling the beginning of a night of stargazing. The KAS invites you to a pleasant evening under nature's grandest spectacle - the universe itself. 
 
Highlights of the night include the deep sky objects of late summer and early autumn such as open clusters.

Sessions will be canceled if the sky is mostly cloudy or overcast. For cancellation information, please check this website starting at 3:00 pm on the day of the session or call the Nature Center at (269) 381-1574. Please contact us if you have any additional questions.

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General Meeting Friday, October 4 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Area Math & Science Center

The tradition continues!  Every October the general meeting of the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society is devoted to astrophotography, the art of photographing the night sky. Over the years, KAS shutterbugs have traveled to exotic places, ascended to dizzying heights, or just hung out at the Kalamazoo Nature Center and other locales, working the graveyard shift with their impressive array of camera gear. Now they are ready to show their artistic wares. So come on out for what always proves to be one of our best meetings of the year!\

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Public Observing Session Saturday, October 5 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of a autumn evening, we watch the stars appear one by one. Before too long, twilight's window gives way to the starry curtain, signaling the beginning of a night of stargazing. The KAS invites you to a pleasant evening under nature's grandest spectacle - the universe itself. 
 
Highlights of the night include the deep sky objects of autumn such as distant galaxies.

Sessions will be canceled if the sky is mostly cloudy or overcast. For cancellation information, please check this website starting at 3:00 pm on the day of the session or call the Nature Center at (269) 381-1574. Please contact us if you have any additional questions.

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Public Observing Session Saturday, October 26 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of a autumn evening, we watch the stars appear one by one. Before too long, twilight's window gives way to the starry curtain, signaling the beginning of a night of stargazing. The KAS invites you to a pleasant evening under nature's grandest spectacle - the universe itself. 
 
Highlights of the night are the deep sky objects located around The Great Square; an asterism made from stars in the constellations Pegasus and Andromeda.

Sessions will be canceled if the sky is mostly cloudy or overcast. For cancellation information, please check this website starting at 3:00 pm on the day of the session or call the Nature Center at (269) 381-1574. Please contact us if you have any additional questions.

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General Meeting Friday, November 1 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Area Math & Science Center

Because most bright comets appear unexpectedly and were long misunderstood, a rich lore has developed around them throughout history. So much more is known today, but comets can be still be notoriously unpredictable. By the time Dave DeBruyn brings us up to date on these celestial vagabonds,  we will have a good idea whether Comet ISON, scheduled to put on its best display in December,  will be one of the best ever or a fizzle like Kohoutek in 1973.  It is possible that 2013 will bring two bright comets (the second PanSTAARS in March).

About the Speaker:
Dave DeBruyn remembers well both long tailed Hyakutake in March and the start of the long and spectacular Hale-Bopp apparition in early 1997. He is also old enough to remember being a wide-eyed teenage amateur astronomer when both Arend-Roland and Myrkos appeared prominently in 1957, 40 years earlier!  Contrary to rumors, he is not old enough to remember Comet Halley's historic 1910 visit, when Earth passed through its tail, stirring up unfounded fear. 

Comets have been a special interest throughout his professional life. Dave was Chief Curator of the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium of the Grand Rapids Public Museum for close to 40 years, and in retirement works on special projects for the Planetarium as Curator Emeritus. He also continues to write a longstanding astronomy column for the Grand Rapids Press entitled West Michigan Skies, and teaches astronomy classes for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of Aquinas College. For the past four years, he has been president of the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association. He holds a BS in science education and a MS in astronomy from the University of Michigan.

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Annual Meeting Friday, December 6 @ 6:30 pm | Kalamazoo Area Math & Science Center