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 season on Saturday, April 29. This date corresponds with International Astronomy Day, when astronomy organizations throughout North America celebrate the science with stargazing! Public Observing Nights will continue on selected Saturday evenings twice monthly through October 2017.

The waxing crescent moon and planet Jupiter will be highlights on April 29, with views also of star clusters and galaxies through two of the Veen Observatory’s large telescopes, as well as portable telescopes provided by GRAAA members. Public Observing Nights take place only if the sky is clear, with status updates posted at graaa.org or by calling 616-897-7065 the date of each event.

Observation Nights have been selected to favorably align with optimum moon phases.  Additional dates and times of Observation Nights can be found online at graaa.org, and include a listing of what sky objects visitors will likely be able to see.

Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for those under 18. Grand Rapids Public Museum members and GRAAA members, as well as children under age 5, are free. Credit cards are not accepted.

For additional information about Public Observing Nights, including directions to the Veen Observatory located in Lowell, MI, please visit graaa.org.

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