Tag Archives: GRAAA

Free ‘Astronomy as a Hobby’ classes, telescope tune-up clinic offered

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By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Did you get a telescope over the holidays, or do you have one sitting around collecting dust because you find it difficult to use? Do you want to learn more about what to look for in the sky and resources that can lead to better enjoyment from backyard stargazing? 

Learn more about astronomy and the night sky from the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association (GRAAA) as they team up again this year to offer three introductory Saturday afternoon classes at Schuler Books and Music, 2660 28th St., Grand Rapids. Each of the one-hour “Astronomy as a Hobby” sessions begins at 10:30 a.m., and is followed by a Telescope Tune-up Clinic from approximately 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. During the Telescope Clinic, experienced amateur astronomers will adjust personal telescopes and provide advice about proper use. Those wishing to come to only a Telescope Clinic session may do so.

The schedule for 2020 Astronomy as a Hobby classes and Telescope Tune-up clinics:

January 25 – The Ever Changing Sky  
Attendees will learn what to look for and when; sky motions and seasonal attractions during 2020 for naked eye, binoculars and telescope. Effective viewing of sky objects is highlighted.

February 8 – Telescopes, Accessories and How to Use Them
Attendees will learn how to select the right telescope for their background and level of interest, and equipment challenges often encountered by novice amateur astronomers.

February 22 – What’s Next from My New Hobby 
Attendees will learn about the most recommended guides, star maps and online resources, along with stargazing tips. What options are available to learn more?

   

All activities are geared to a family audience, and are free and open to the public. 

Veen Observatory to open for public night sky observations

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The James C. Veen Observatory in Lowell is set to open for its season on April 27.

By Christie Bender
Grand Rapids Public Museum

Announced today, Public Observing Nights at James C. Veen Observatory, presented by the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association (GRAAA) and Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM), begin for the 2019 season on Saturday, April 27. Public Observing Nights will continue on selected Saturday evenings twice monthly through October. 

The Veen Observatory houses three large permanently mounted telescopes that allow visitors an up-close look at the night sky. The public is invited to Public Observing Nights throughout the summer to access these telescopes as well as addition instruments personally owned by GRAAA members. 

Visitors to the facility will have the opportunity to take part in an audio-visual presentation introducing the facility and orientations to prominent constellations currently visible. Public Observing Night dates can be found online along with photos at graaa.org.      

Scheduled Public Observing Nights are cancelled in the event of cloudiness. Status updates are posted at graaa.org no later than 6:30 p.m. on the date of each scheduled event, or can be found by calling 616.897.7065.

Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for those under 18. Grand Rapids Public Museum and GRAAA members, as well as children under age 5, are free. Cash, checks and some credit cards are accepted.  

The James C. Veen Observatory is located at 3308 Kissing Rock Ave. in Lowell Township, and is open during Public Observing Nights or by appointment only. For additional inquiries, please visit graaa.org. Please note, to access Veen Observatory, there is a quarter mile uphill walk from the parking area that may be difficult for some. Parking attendants can provide information about available assistance.   

The Grand Rapids Public Museum provides ongoing support to the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association in operation of James C. Veen Observatory.  

Grand Rapids Public Museum returns as West Michigan Hub for MSU’s Science Festival

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Statewide Astronomy Night will be at The James C. Veen Observatory in Lowell on April 20.

By Christie Bender

Grand Rapids Public Museum

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is once again the West Michigan Hub for Michigan State University’s Science Festival. Join the GRPM and the rest of the state in this science month celebration with special events hosted in West Michigan.

 

The Museum will host two special science events in the month of April, including a Statewide Astronomy Night and Pub Science at Brewery Vivant! Entrance is FREE for these events.

 

The MSU Science Festival is a month long of statewide events highlighting and celebrating the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). The MSU Science Festival features talks, demonstrations, tours, open houses, guest speakers, and hands-on activities for lifelong learners of all ages. The MSU Science Festival is proudly coordinated and produced by Michigan State University, working together with professionals and educators across the state to bring Michigan communities an opportunity to experience “Science Live.”

 

On Friday, April 20, experience Statewide Astronomy Night at the Veen Observatory in nearby Lowell. Presented by the GRPM’s Chaffee Planetarium, there will be tours of the facility, hands-on activities and telescope demonstrations. Assisting with the event will be members of the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association (GRAAA), who operate the observatory with support from the Museum. The observatory houses three large telescopes (including one that can be operated robotically), and portable telescopes will also be set up on the grounds for visitors to use. Special sky observations will take place from 8:30 -11:30 p.m. to observe the moon, Jupiter and other sky objects. Telescopes will be weather dependent; all other activities will take place regardless.

 

Pub Science will be April 18 at Brewery Vivant.

Pub Science will take place on Wednesday, April 18. Participants will tour behind the scenes at Brewery Vivant to see how beer is made, as well as partake in a discussion all about the science of making beer. Pub Science begins at 7 p.m. and limited to 30 participants. Participants must be 21 and older, and can reserve a spot at grpm.org/calendar.

 

For more information on MSU’s Statewide Science Festival, please visit www.sciencefestival.msu.edu/. For information regarding Grand Rapids specific events please visit grpm.org.

 

The GRPM continuously offers astronomy events in conjunction with the GRAAA. On Thursday, April 19, join the GRAAA public meeting to hear Star Stories from Michigan from Mary Stewart Adams, Star Lore Historian, open and free to the public. This presentation begins at 7 p.m. at the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Chaffee Planetarium.

 

On Saturday, April 21, join the GRPM and GRAAA for International Astronomy Day. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., view the sky through telescopes at the GRPM. Inside the Museum will be additional hands-on activities, free with general admission.

 

For more information on upcoming astronomy events please visit grpm.org/Calendar or graaa.org.

As solar eclipse approaches, WKTV talks to local expert on tips to experience it

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By Joanne Baiely-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

For the first time in 40 years, the North American continent will experience a total solar eclipse, where the moon is between the sun and earth casting its shadow on the earth.

 

And depending where you are on Aug. 21 will determine how much of the solar eclipse you will see, according to David DeBryun, the president of the Grand Rapids Amateur Astrological Association.

 

“Bad news is we are not going to see a total eclipse in Grand Rapids,” DeBryun said during a special interview with WKTV’s Bre Wilson. During that interview, DeBryun said that the Grand Rapids area will experience about an 85 percent of the eclipse.

 

Bre Wilson with David DeBryun

He also noted that the Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. SW, will be hosting a special Eclipse Day Party on Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event will include hands-on solar related activity booths, multiple shows on the half hour of “Eclipses and Phases of the Moon” in the Chaffee Planetarium, and a live stream of the total eclipse will be shown int he Meijer Theater. All Eclipse Party activities will be included with general admission to the Museum. For more, visit grpm.org.

 

While several members of the GRAAA will be on hand at the Eclipse Day Party, DeBryun will not be one of them. He plans to be part of a group heading to Nebraska to see the eclipse. In fact, he has travelled the world to experience solar eclipses, which are a rare occurrence. The next total solar eclipse is July 2, 2019 and will across southern Africa.

 

DeBryun’s first solar eclipse was in 1963, when he was a young boy. “Boy do I remember that because that was the most dramatic thing I had seen in nature at that point,” he said. “It was just overwhelming. And it was the impetus for me to travel the far corners of the earth in the time since then to witness five of these total eclipses of the sun.”

 

With the total solar eclipse happening only about 70 miles away from the Grand Rapids area and going through such major cities as St. Louis and Nashville, DeBryun encourages residents to make the trip to experience the phenomenon especially since the next time a total solar eclipse will travel across West Michigan will be in the year 2099.

 

“I know I won’t make that,” he said with a a laugh.

 

If you plan to check out the solar eclipse, DeBryun encourages people to use the safe viewing glasses available at the Public Museum or to make an eclipse box. For other tips and more discussion about the solar eclipse, check out the interview with DeBryun airing on WKTV channel 25 at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Aug. 14; 7 and 11 p.m. Aug. 15; 11:30 a.m. Aug. 16; and noon and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18.

Astronomer and space science enthusiast makes a stop at Schuler Books

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Nebil Y. Misconi
Nebil Y. Misconi

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) in partnership with the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association (GRAAA) will host a presentation by the Iraq born astronomer and space science enthusiast, Dr. Nebil Y. Misconi, at Schuler Books & Music on Thursday, May 19.

 

Misconi is an accomplished astronomer and solar system researcher. In his book “An Immigrant’s Journey into the Cosmos – a Personal Memoir,” Misconi tells the journey of an immigrant astronomer from youth in Iraq to the United States. His presentation of the same name will highlight the political history of the Middle East and the struggles of living there during religious and political unrest through to his life and accomplishments in astronomy in the United States.

 

Misconi fell in love with astronomy when he read a book about stars as a high school student in the 1960s. He could not further his pursuit in his homeland and was able to study in Turkey and later immigrated to the United States, where he went on to a career in Florida.

 

“I decided to write about my life to inspire young students on what they can do when they put their minds to it, using what our country has to offer,” Misconi said.

 

41UcMIxlUAL._UY250_Working first for the Space Institute Center at Florida Tech, and then for 16 years at the University of Central University in Orlando,  Misconi has not only inspired students and  the public with his instructional skills, but also contributed technical expertise to a number of high profile NASA space efforts, including SkyLab and the space shuttle programs. He has worked closely with notable space science personalities, including astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

 

The presentation “An Immigrant’s Journey into the Cosmos – A Personal Memoir” will take place at 7 p.m. on May 19 at Schuler Books, located at 2660 28th Street SE. The event is free. Marconi’s book of the same title will be available for purchase and a book signing by the author will take place following the talk.