[Schedule of Events]

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  |



Introduction to Amateur Astronomy
Saturday, February 11 @ 1:00 pm | Portage District Library



Every amateur astronomer, novice or advanced, should own at least one good pair of binoculars. They make an ideal first "telescope" because of their wide field of view, ease of use, portability, versatility, and low cost. Several types of binoculars are available, but which ones are best for astronomy? You’ll be amazed at what you can see!

Please Note:  Admission to this lecture series is FREE (thanks to our generous members), but we ask that you register to ensure there's enough materials for everyone. So, contact us and let us know you're coming!


Introduction to Amateur Astronomy Page | Directions to Portage District Library



Member-Only Observing Session
Saturday, February 18 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center


[February Freeze Out]


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 invited guests only. If you'd like to attend then JOIN the KAS today!  Our regular pubic sessions will resume in April.


Cold Weather Observing | Directions to Nature Center




Introduction to Amateur Astronomy
Saturday, February 25 @ 1:00 pm | Portage District Library



Sooner or later, every amateur astronomer faces the decision of purchasing a first telescope. There are literally hundreds of choices today! What's the difference between a refractor and reflector?  Which telescope is the right one for you? To make this daunting task easier, we'll compare several of the top telescopes available today and tell you which ones to avoid. We'll also look at the countless array of accessories available for your telescope. If you already have a telescope but need help then bring it along.

Please Note:  Admission to this lecture series is FREE (thanks to our generous members), but we ask that you register to ensure there's enough materials for everyone. So, contact us and let us know you're coming!




General Meeting
Friday, March 2 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Area Math & Science Center




The Moon provides the most clear and complete history of impact events in the inner Solar System since its formation ~4.5 billion years (Ga) ago, and the Moon’s impact record can be used to gain insights into how the Earth has been influenced by impacting events over billions of years. The timing of impacts on the Moon, however, is not well understood.

Dr. Zellner's research focuses on obtaining geochemical and chronological data on lunar impact glasses, which are pieces of melted regolith (lunar soil) created by energetic impacting events on the Moon. These impact glasses possess the composition of the target material and can be dated by the 40Ar/39Ar (argon) method in order to determine their age of formation. Understanding the ages of impact glasses, along with their compositions, allows for a full interpretation of the impact history of the Moon, and from them, we can begin to piece together information about the rate of impact events and their effects on Earth.

Dr. Zellner's talk will consist of an overview of the current state of lunar science and how my research is contributing to that knowledge.  She will also talk about my sabbatical trip to Australia and share with you a few of my stories from Down Under, including how Mother Nature thwarted almost all of my attempts to see the southern stars.

About the Speaker:
Nicolle Zellner received her PhD in Multidisciplinary Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2001 where she specialized in the studies of the origins of life. Her work with lunar samples allowed her to characterize the geochemistry of the lunar surface and subsurface at 3 Apollo landing sites, and to describe the bombardment history of the Earth-Moon System soon after its formation. The conditions that existed then have important consequences for the origin and sustainability of life on Earth. Currently, Dr. Zellner is an Associate Professor of Physics at Albion College.






Introduction to Amateur Astronomy
Saturday, March 10 @ 1:00 pm | Portage District Library



Astrophotography is the art of photographing the night sky.  In the past few years that art has undergone a revolution as digital cameras have overtaken their film counterparts.  In some ways this has made the field more technical, but in many ways shooting the sky is easier than ever!  We’ll start with the basics like using a stationary photographic tripod and work our way up to imaging with sophisticated CCD cameras.  Constellation patterns, the Milky Way, the night-to-night motion of the planets, bright comets, northern lights, and perhaps a meteor all await you.

Please Note:  Admission to this lecture series is FREE (thanks to our generous members), but we ask that you register to ensure there's enough materials for everyone. So, contact us and let us know you're coming!


Introduction to Amateur Astronomy Page | Directions to Portage District Library



Member-Only Observing Session
Saturday, March 24 @ 7:00 pm | Richland Township Park




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 Mechain 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 invited guests only. If you'd like to attend then JOIN the KAS today!  Our regular pubic sessions will resume in April.


Guide to the Messier Marathon | Directions to Richland Township Park



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




Witnessing Venus pass in front of the Sun is a sublime experience, and the allure of the 2012 Transit of Venus is generating excitement as June 5 approaches. In past centuries, Transits of Venus had a role in the quest to quantify the size of the solar system, while in the modern era the transit method is how the NASA Kepler spacecraft seeks habitable planets around distant stars.

Each return of the Transit of Venus since it was first recorded in 1639 has intrigued the public in growing numbers.  Though Venus may seem like a small black dot on the Sun, when the last Transit of Venus occurred Google labeled "venus transit" the #1 Popular Event for June 2004. In 2012, instruments and technologies ranging from humble binoculars to the magnificent Hubble Space Telescope will be deployed by amateur and professional astronomers alike to bring this last Transit of Venus in our lifetimes to millions of people. Come see what the fuss is all about.

To complement the visual spectacle, individuals and institutions in Michiana are building a collection of attractions for Transit of Venus enthusiasts and the general public alike. Dubbed TROVE (for TRansit Of VEnus) the initiative is bringing speakers, art exhibits, live webcasts, telescope observing stations, historical artifacts on display, a musical performance, planetarium presentations, and educational content to the community. There's even a Venusian ale hand-crafted by a nearby brewery to commemorate this celestial phenomenon. 

About the Speaker:
Chuck Bueter, the creator of www.transitofvenus.org, is a central figure for Transit of Venus education and outreach. For the 2004 event, Bueter also produced a Transit of Venus video with supporting resources on DVD. In preparation for the 2012 Transit of Venus, he is working with NASA and global partners to bring this elegant apparition to the public. Bueter administers the Transit of Venus Group on Facebook and is a regular contributor to blogs, newsletters, and educational outlets. He sparked the development of the 2012 Transit of Venus phone app, and has rallied support in the region for TROVE, a celebration of math and science in action.





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

In the fading light of a spring 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 planets Venus, Mars, and Saturn. It's a Planet Palooza!

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.






Astronomy Day 2012
Saturday, April 21 @ TBA | Air Zoo & Nature Center

The Kalamazoo Astronomical Society will once again bring astronomy to the people by hosting a day of exciting and informative activities. Details will be announced ASAP, so stay tuned!


Astronomy Day Website | AD2K12 Event Schedule



Public Observing Session
Saturday, April 21 @ 8:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of a spring 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 planets Venus, Mars, and Saturn. It's a Planet Palooza!

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.





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



Transits of Venus are among the rarest of astronomical events. Only six are known to have been observed by humans, beginning with the historic transit of 1639. Dr. Maor, author of Venus in Transit, will recount the dramatic story of these past transits - a tale of adventures and misfortunes that could make a high-drama thriller.

About the Speaker:
Eli Maor received his PhD at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. His thesis was on an unusual subject: using mathematical methods to investigate problems in musical acoustics. This reflected his long interest in the relations between science and the arts, and in particular, music. His article, "What is There so Mathematical About Music?" received first award by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics as the best article on teaching the applications of mathematics. Maor has published over fifty articles on applied mathematics, mathematics education, and the history of mathematics.

Dr. Maor is also an active amateur astronomer and eclipse chaser and has written articles for Sky & Telescope, Natural History, Science, and Orion. He is also a contributor to Encyclopedia Britannica, for which he wrote the article on the history of trigonometry. Dr. Maor is a frequent speaker on scientific and educational issues and is past member of the Mathematical Association of America's Program of Visiting Lecturers and Consultants. He teaches the history of mathematics at Loyola University Chicago.

Dr. Maor is the author of four widely acclaimed books: To Infinity and Beyond (1991), e: The Story of a Number (1994), Trigonometric Delights (1998), and Venus in Transit (2000 and again in 2003 in an expanded edition), and The Pythagorean Theorem: A 4,000-Year History (2007). In addition, he wrote The Facts on File Calculus Handbook (Facts on File, 2003), an encyclopedia of calculus concepts geared for high school and college students.




Public Observing Session
Saturday, May 12 @ 8:30 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of a spring 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 Galaxies of the Virgo Cluster.

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.





Special Observing Event
Sunday, May 20 @ TBA | Warren Dunes State Park

Partial Solar Eclipse

Details coming soon...





Public Observing Session
Saturday, May 26 @ 8:30 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of a spring 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 Moon,  Mars and Saturn.

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.





Special Observing Event
Tuesday, June 5 @ TBA | Warren Dunes State Park

Transit of Venus

Details coming soon...





General Meeting
Friday, June 8 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Area Math & Science Center

Details coming soon...





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

In the fading light of a spring 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 Grand Globular 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.





Kiwanis Star Party
Saturday, June 16 @ 9:00 pm | Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area

The public is invited to bring family and friends to join Kiwanis and Kalamazoo Astronomical Society for an evening of stargazing at the Kiwanis Youth Area (directions below). Gates open at 9:00 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 call the Star Party hot line at (269) 223-9118 after 3:00 pm on June 16 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.





Public Observing Session
Saturday, June 23 @ 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 are some Super Summer 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.





General Meeting
Friday, July 13 @ 7:00 pm | Location TBA


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.





Public Observing Session
Saturday, July 14 @ 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 are some Pleasant 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.





Public Observing Session
Saturday, July 28 @ 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 are the Waxing Gibbous Moon and Delightful Double Stars.

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.





General Meeting
Saturday, August 11 @ 6:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center


Mark your calendar.  Hope for good weather.  It's time for the big social event of the summer 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 KAS member telescopes.  Feel free to bring any type of outdoor games or toys to pass the time while we wait for dinner.

After dinner, we’ll hold a Public Observing Session - gates open at 8:30 pm.  Stargazers should be prepared to observe the deep sky delights of the summer Milky Way and the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower (more details below).

This gathering will take place rain or shine, so be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws our way!

Please Note:  The picnic is for KAS Members and invited guests only. If you'd like to attend then JOIN the KAS today!  The observing session following the picnic is open to the public.





Public Observing Session
Saturday, August 11 @ 8:30 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center


Around August 11 & 12 the Earth will pass through a stream of particles left over from Comet Shift-Tuttle III.  It's time for the Perseid Meteor Shower!

KAS members, their guests, and the general public are encouraged to join us for this shooting star spectacular.  At maximum, this shower can produce 50 meteors / hour!

Go ahead and bring along a camera that can take long time exposures. Maybe you'll capture a Perseid. You can bring binoculars, but you'll only need your eyes. Do bring a lawn chair, blanket, a refreshing beverage, and maybe even some bug spray so you'll be comfortable while you watch the "Tears of Saint Lawrence" fall from the sky!





Kiwanis Star Party
Saturday, August 18 @ 8:30 pm | Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area

The public is invited to bring family and friends to join Kiwanis and Kalamazoo Astronomical Society for an evening of stargazing at the Kiwanis Youth Area (directions below). Gates open at 8:30 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 call the Star Party hot line at (269) 223-9118 after 3:00 pm on August 18 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.





Public Observing Session
Saturday, August 25 @ 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 are the Moon and the distant gas giant planets Uranus & 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.





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

Details coming soon...





Public Observing Session
Saturday, September 8 @ 8:00 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 are the deep sky objects in 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.





Public Observing Session
Saturday, September 22 @ 8:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of an 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 some Overwhelming 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.





General Meeting
Friday, October 5 @ 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!





Public Observing Session
Saturday, October 6 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of an 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 Jupiter and the Galaxies of Autumn - such as the Andromeda Galaxy.

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.





Public Observing Session
Saturday, October 20 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center

In the fading light of an 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 giant planet Jupiter and 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.





General Meeting
Friday, November 2 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Area Math & Science Center

Details coming soon...





Annual Meeting
Friday, December 7 @ 6:30 pm | Kalamazoo Area Math & Science Center


It's time for the annual KAS Holiday Party! As usual we will be celebrating at our Annual Meeting on December 7. We are planning on starting at 6:30 pm, one half hour earlier than usual. The evening will begin with the party featuring several rousing rounds of BINGO with exciting prizes. Then there will be a short business meeting featuring the election of the 2013 KAS officers and at-large board members.

As in past years, we will have a potluck hors d'oeuvre and dessert extravaganza. The KAS will provide beverages consisting of soft drinks and hot wassail. So, bring your favorite goodie to share and join your fellow KAS members for an evening of friendship and fun.  If you are a new member this will be a wonderful opportunity to meet other club members, get acquainted with this year's KAS Board, help elect the new officers and board for 2013, and find out what the KAS is all about. Hope to see you there!

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





Member-Only Observing Session
Thursday, December 13 @ 7:00 pm | Kalamazoo Nature Center


Most meteor showers occur when Earth passes through a stream of particles left behind by a rouge comet, but the Geminids are different. This is the only major shower known to be associated with an asteroid (3200 Phaethon). An observer may see at least 50 meteors/hour under moonless, rural skies.

The Geminids always put on a great show. The shower is predicted to peak on the night of December 13 and continue until dawn on December 14.  Best viewing will likely be between 1:00 am and 3:00 am EST on December 14.

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