AstroMichigan
WHO WE ARE
Astronomy in Michigan consists of astronomy enthusiasts from all walks of life. We are professional astronomers, museum professionals, amateur astronomers, teachers, and students.
The purpose of this site is to collect together in one place all of the resource someone might need to find their local public observatory, when an astronomy-themed exhibit will be on display at a museum or when the local astronomy club is hosting a star party.
This site is for you! So if you have any thoughts or suggestions on how we can improve it, please let us know.
About
Welcome! ASTROnomy in MICHIGAN is a collaborative effort by museum professionals, professional astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts to bring together, in one place, all of the astronomical opportunities available in your local area.
Interested in buying a telescope? Want to join an astronomy club? Just want to feel awe at the beauty and majesty of the cosmos and eclipses ? Well, this site is for you.
If you know of any astronomy related events, have an astronomy question or suggestions for improvement, let us know!
Thanks, and enjoy!
Looking for an Astronomy Club in Michigan?
Joining an astronomy club can provide you with the opportunity to get to know others in your area who share an interest in night sky, and have a passion for stargazing. Many clubs have “dark-sky” viewing sights, and some have observatories that clubs make available to the public during Astronomy Outreach events. Several clubs offer “loaner telescopes” for you to take home and use.
Club members often bring their own telescopes to Astronomy Outreach events; if you are considering purchasing a telescope, you are encourages to try out several different kinds, familiarize yourself them them, get a feel for how the different ‘scopes function, and talk to telescope owners about their experiences – before you buy a telescope.
Local astronomy clubs may also collaborate to organize large weekend star parties, and Astronomy Outreach events.
| Club Name & Website | Social Links | City | Meeting Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amateur Astronomers of Jackson | Grass lake | None | |
| Astronomy Club at Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti/EMU | Every Thursday at 7:30PM in 402 Sherzer | |
| Capital Area Astronomy Club | MSU/Abrams Planetarium | First Wednesday of each month 7:30 PM | |
| Ford Amateur Astronomy Club | Dearborn | Fourth Thursday of every month (except November and December) at 5:30 PM | |
| Fox Park Astronomy Club | Potterville | Varies – see website | |
| The Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association | Grand Rapids | Third Thursday of every month at Schuler Books 7:00PM | |
| Grand Traverse Astronomical Society | Traverse City | First Friday of every month 8:00 PM | |
| Kalamazoo Astronomical Society | Kalamazoo/KAMSC | First Friday of nearly every month 7:00PM | |
| Marquette Astronomical Society | Marquette | None | |
| Muskegon Astronomical Society | Muskegon | Second Tuesday of every month | |
| Newaygo County Dark Sky Astronomers | Fremont | Third Thursday of every month 7:00 PM | |
| Oakland Astronomy Club | Rochester | Second Sunday of every month (except May) | |
| Seven Ponds Astronomy Club | Dryden | Monthly: generally the Saturday closest to new Moon< | |
| Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association | Holland | Second Thursday of every month | |
| Sunset Astronomical Society | Bay City/Delta College Planetarium | Second Friday of every month | |
| University Lowbrow Astronomers | Ann Arbor | Third Friday of every month | |
| Warren Astronomical Society | Bloomfield Hills/Cranbrook & Warren/MCC | First Monday & third Thursday of every month 7:30 PM |
Tagged ASTRONOMY CLUB AT EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, CAPITAL AREA ASTRONOMY CLUB, FORD AMATEUR ASTRONOMY CLUB, GLAAC, GRAND RAPIDS AMATEUR ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION, GRAND TRAVERSE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, MARQUETTE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, MUSKEGON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, NASA NIGHT SKY NETWORK, OAKLAND ASTRONOMY CLUB, SEVEN PONDS ASTRONOMY CLUB SUNSET ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, UNIVERSITY LOWBROW ASTRONOMERS, WARREN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Meteor Terminology
Meteor Shower Guide
Watching for “Shooting Stars” can be an enjoyable, if unpredictable, observing opportunity during meteor showers. You may see only a few fleeting meteors, or you may see several, or even a fireball! This graphic shows the major showers for this year, and their “radiants.” Best times for observing is meteor showers is after midnight.
Observatories
Many observatories in Michigan welcome the general public. Here we will profile some of the more well known.
Museums and Planetariums
Museums, planetariums and observatories afford the general public the best opportunity to learn about and explore the latest astronomical discoveries. Below you’ll find locations of museums, planetariums and observatories that have sent us their information. If there is missing or inaccurate information presented, please let us know at webmaster@astromichigan.org.
View Planetariums in Michigan in a larger map
Alternatively, take a look at the Michigan Museums Association website for information about Michigan museums.
Loch Ness Productions has an online compendium of the world’s planetariums. Check out the list forMichigan.
Astronomy Clubs
| University Lowbrow Astronomers | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|
| Sunset Astronomical Society | Bay City |
| Detroit Astronomical Society | Clarkston |
| Ford Amateur Astronomy Club | Dearborn |
| Seven Ponds Astronomy Club | Dryden |
| Capital Area Astronomy Club | East Lansing |
| Delta Astronomical Society | Escanaba |
| Genesee Astronomical Society | Flint |
| North Star Astronomical Society (NSAS) | Gaylord |
| Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Assn. | Holland |
| Amateur Astronomers of Jackson | Jackson |
| Kalamazoo Astronomical Society | Kalamazoo |
| Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Assn. | Lowell |
| Astronomical Society of Lenawee & Hillsdale | Manitou Beach |
| Marquette Astronomical Society | Marquette |
| Muskegon Astronomical Society | Muskegon |
| Astronomical Society of Michigan | Plymouth |
| Dinosaur Hill Astro. Society | Rochester |
| The Sirius Stargazers Club | South Rockwood |
| Oakland Astronomy Club | St. Clairsville |
| Grand Traverse Astronomical Society | Traverse City |
| Warren Astronomical Society | Warren |
| Eastern Michigan Univ. Astronomy Club | Ypsilanti |
| Calumet Astronomical Society | St. John, Indiana |