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Support the activities and educational programs of the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society by purchasing some of these fine products that will show your KAS pride, teach you about amateur astronomy, or help you observe the night sky.

If you'd like to avoid shipping charges then contact us directly with your order and you can pick it up at the next General Meeting or Public Observing Session.

Please Note:  We only ship to destinations in the continental United States.

Thanks and happy shopping!


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KAS Black SkyCaps
$15.00

Make sure you’re wearing one of our new SkyCaps next time you go out observing or travel to star parties across the country. Plus, for reasons not totally understood, these fully adjustable caps actually make stars look brighter!  The caps include one of our custom embroidered patches already ironed on using a large heat press.





 
The Miller Planisphere
$13.00

The Miller Planisphere is made with heavy duty plastic and includes a durable plastic case. All planispheres sold by the KAS are 10.5” in diameter and set at 40º latitude. Just dial the date and time and you'll see what's in the sky for that moment.  Every blossoming amateur astronomer should own one of these!





 
NightWatch
$35.00

The first three editions of NightWatch sold more than 600,000 copies, making it the top-selling stargazing guide in the world for the last 20 years. The key feature of this classic title is the section of star charts that are cherished by backyard astronomers everywhere.

NightWatch has been acclaimed as the best general interest introduction to astronomy. The fourth edition has improvements over the 3rd edition in every chapter, including:

  • The famous charts, ideal for stargazers using a small telescope or binoculars.
  • A complete update of the equipment section, including computerized telescopes.
  • An enlarged photography section, including how-to instructions for using the new generation of digital cameras for astronomical photography, both with and without a telescope.
  • The tables of future solar and lunar eclipses, planetary conjunctions and planet locations, updated through 2018.
This edition includes dozens of new photographs throughout the book that show the latest thrilling discoveries made by current space observatories and probes.





 
The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
$49.95

The newest edition of The Backyard Astronomer's Guide includes the latest data and answers the questions most often asked by home astronomers, from beginners to experienced stargazers.

Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer provide expert guidance on the right types of telescopes and other equipment; photographing the stars through a telescope; and star charts, software and other references. They cover daytime and twilight observing, planetary and deep-sky observing, and much more.


With over 500 color photographs and illustrations, The Backyard Astronomer's Guide is one of the most valuable, beautiful and user-friendly astronomy books ever produced.

New and updated for this edition:

  • A 20-page full-color Atlas of the Milky Way provides location and context for hundreds of celestial objects mentioned throughout the book.
  • A chapter on Astrophotography with Digital Cameras specifies what equipment works best and how to use it to collect a color gallery of celestial portraits.
  • Telescopes for Recreational Astronomy features assessments of a wide range of new telescopes, from models for beginners to those for veteran astronomy enthusiasts, with special emphasis on computerized telescopes and how they work.
  • Accessory Catalog spotlights the best of the accessories and flags the frivolous and irrelevant.
  • Three practical appendices: Polar Aligning Your Telescope; Optics Cleaning and Collimation; Testing Your Telescope Optics.
Any serious home astronomer must have this superb guide as an ongoing reference.





 
Bad Astronomy (Autographed)
by Dr. Phil Plait
$15.95

Special Offer: We have a limited number of copies still available after Astronomy Day on May 30th. They have been personally autographed by Phil Plait. Get them before they're gone!

Inspired by his popular web site, www.badastronomy.com, this first book by Plait debunks popular myths and misconceptions relating to astronomy and promotes science as a means of explaining our mysterious heavens. The work describes 24 common astronomical fallacies, including the beliefs that the Coriolis effect determines the direction that water drains in a bathtub and that planetary alignments can cause disaster on Earth. The author sharply and convincingly dismisses astrology, creationism, and UFO sightings and explains the principles behind basic general concepts (the Big Bang, why the sky is blue, etc.).





 
Death from the Skies! (Autographed)
by Dr. Phil Plait
$25.95

Special Offer: We have a limited number of copies still available after Astronomy Day on May 30th. They have been personally autographed by Phil Plait. Get them before they're gone!

Fans of disaster-from-space movies such as Deep Impact or Armageddon will definitely want to check out this lively yet also rather scary book by a noted astronomer and creator of the clever web site badastronomy.com. The book is basically a catalogue of astronomical catastrophes that could wipe out life on earth: asteroids, comets, supernovae, black holes, aliens, even our friendly sun. According to Plait, it is virtually inevitable that something will happen, perhaps not in the not-so-distant future. The thing to do is stop worrying about inevitabilities and start planning for them: find ways, for example, to turn asteroids off course before they hit us. The book is extremely informative: Plait explains not only what can destroy the planet but also how it would happen. It’s a crash course in astronomy as well as a cautionary tale about the (possibly brief) future of our world.



The KAS receives a commission if you purchase the following Imaginova products through our web site.  Please contact us if there are any other Starry Night Software or Orion Telescope & Binocular items you'd like to purchase through the KAS.



Starry Night Enthusiast Version 6.2 Astronomy Software
 
Starry Night Enthusiast
$79.95

Use your computer to explore a vast array of astronomical wonders! In Version 6.2, you can follow a space probe's actual path, explore interplanetary trips, even view 3D objects – spacecraft, moons or asteroids to see textured surfaces and much more.



Starry Night Pro Version 6.2.3 Astronomy Software
 
Starry Night Pro
$149.95

Delve deep into the cosmos with this visually realistic astronomy package. Version 6.2 has 26 new features including list of upcoming astronomical events visible from your location, track artificial satellites, nudge control robotic telescopes, more.  



Starry Night Pro Plus Version 6.2 Astronomy Software
 
Starry Night Pro Plus
$249.95

For the advanced amateur astronomer, Pro Plus 6.2's cutting-edge features will keep you engaged in your hobby like no other software can. Version 6.2 adds nebula outlines and positional data for 1,400 dark, emission, planetary and reflection nebulae, catalogs and positional data for 1,700 star clusters, and more. 



Orion Scenix 7x50 Binocular
 
Scenix 7×50 Binoculars
$99.95

Orion's Scenix 50mm binoculars offer the superior optical and mechanical quality you'd expect in more expensive binoculars but at a price that won't break the bank. Scenix binoculars incorporate porro prisms made from top-quality BAK-4 optical glass. Moreover, every air-to-glass optical surface is antireflection coated, and the 50mm objective lenses are multi-layer coated for maximum light transmission. In Astronomy magazine's April 2005 review of 10x50 binoculars under $100, the Scenix 10x50 was rated #1! The housings are constructed of sturdy metal, not plastic, and armored with protective rubber for a secure grip. Both models include a vinyl carrying case, lens caps, deluxe wide neck strap, and a threaded socket for an optional tripod L-adapter. Put Scenix to use for stargazing, birdwatching, or any outdoor viewing activity. Two-year limited warranty. 



Orion Scenix 10x50 Wide-Angle Binocular
 
Scenix 10×50 Wide-Angle Binoculars
$99.95

Orion's Scenix binoculars offer the superior optical and mechanical quality you expect in more expensive binoculars but at prices nearer to those of lesser-quality department stores brands. The Scenix series incorporate porro prisms made from BAK-4 optical glass, the same type found in binoculars that sell for many times the price. Moreover, every air-to-glass surface is antireflection coated. The objective lenses are multi-coated for maximum light transmission. The housings are constructed of sturdy metal, and armored with protective rubber. All include a vinyl carrying case, lens caps, deluxe wide neck strap, and accept a tripod L-adapter. Two-year limited warranty.



Orion SkyQuest XT6 6
 
SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian
$249.95

An excellent entry-level telescope that will provide years of enjoyment. Great portability:  carry tube and base together as one unit by the handle on the base.  A beginner favorite.

Includes:
  • 6-inch (150mm) Parabolic Primary Mirror
  • 1200mm Focal Length (f/8.0)
  • 1.25" Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
  • 25mm Sirius Plössl eyepiece (48x)
  • EZ Finder II Reflex Sight
  • Collimation Cap
  • FREE Starry Night astronomy software
One-year limited warranty.



Orion SkyQuest XT8 8
 
SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian
$329.95

Whether trained on Jupiter's cloud bands or on the flowing eddies of the Lagoon Nebula, the XT8 has the optical oomph to bring celestial subtlety into crisp, sharp focus.  A fantastic value.

Includes:
  • 8-inch (203mm) Parabolic Primary Mirror
  • 1200mm Focal Length (f/5.9)
  • 2" Crayford-style Focus (with 1.25" adapter)
  • 25mm Sirius Plössl eyepiece (48x)
  • EZ Finder II Reflex Sight
  • Collimation Cap
  • FREE Starry Night astronomy software
One-year limited warranty.



Orion SkyQuest XT10
 
SkyQuest XT10 Classic Dobsonian
$499.95

For big astronomical appetites, here's our version of all-you-can-eat. Said Sky & Telescope magazine, "It's hard for anyone to be anything other than delighted with views such as these."

Includes:
  • 10-inch (254mm) Parabolic Primary Mirror
  • 1200mm Focal Length (f/4.7)
  • 2" Crayford-style Focuser (with 1.25" adapter)
  • 25mm Sirius Plössl eyepiece (48x)
  • EZ Finder II Reflex Sight
  • Collimation Cap
  • FREE Starry Night astronomy software
One-year limited warranty.



Orion SkyQuest XX12 IntelliScope Truss-Tube Dob
 
SkyQuest XX12 IntelliScope Truss-Tube Dob
$1,299.95

Finally, a deluxe, large-aperture Dobsonian that fits comfortably into a compact car for transport to your favorite observing site! Credit the XX12's traditional truss tube design, which utilizes eight aluminum trusses (four captive pairs) that attach and detach quickly with oversized hand knobs — no tools required! The acclaimed IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator comes standard on the XX12, allowing manual slewing to any of 14,000 celestial objects in just seconds, using its illuminated pushbutton keypad.

Includes:
  • 12-inch (305mm) Pyrex Parabolic Primary Mirror
  • 1500mm Focal Length (f/4.9)
  • Dual-Speed (11:1) 2" Crayford Focuser
  • 35mm DeepView 2-inch Eyepiece
  • 10mm Sirius Plössl eyepiece
  • 9x50 Finderscope
  • IntelliScope Object Locator system
  • Cooling Accelerator Fan
  • Collimation Cap
  • FREE Starry Night astronomy software
One-year limited warranty.







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