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