19th Annual Kensington Astronomy at the Beach

Michigan’s Largest FREE Star Party and Astronomy Event!

Friday AND Saturday September 25th and 26th, 2015

Kensington Metropark, Milford, Michigan

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Solar telescopes everywhere at the Kensington Astronomy at the Beach event. Bob Trembley (left) is speaking with Mark Kedzior. Credit: Doug Bock.

It’s difficult to say enough good things about Kensington Astronomy at the Beach; it is simply a must-attend event if you are anywhere in southeastern Michigan, or the Midwest – and it’s free! Put on each year by the Great Lakes Association of Astronomy Clubs, this event has everything for the astronomy enthusiast of all ages:

Solar Telescopes: Arrive before sunset, and see the Sun (safely) through solar telescopes.
Lecturers: This year is Dr. Nicolle Zellner, from Albion College will give the keynote address: Moons and Planets. A volunteer NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, Nicolle has spoken to the Warren Astronomical Society – and she’s fantastic!  Previous lecturers have included Astronomy Magazine editor David J. Eicher, and Shuttle astronaut Dr. Andrew Feustel.
Telescopes: Everywhere.
Astronomy Club Tables: GLAAC member clubs have tables in the pavilion; chat-up an astronomer! Teachers take note! Several club members are lectures, and will come to your classroom, or other venue. My wife and I will be manning the table for the Warren Astronomical Society.
Telescopes: Did I mention there were telescopes of all kinds, all along the beach?
Night Sky Object Scavenger Hunt for Kids: Teachers take note! Hop between telescopes and view different deep sky objects – get a prize! (usually a stack of Hubble images.)
Dealers: Buy a meteorite, buy an eyepiece, ogle at the huge 40″ Dobsonian!
… and more!

Telescopes galore along the lake at the Kensington Astronomy at the Beach event. Credit: Jon Blum.

You should go. If this event had existed when I was a kid, I’d have been all over it!