Do you fanaticize about astronomy but don’t have your own telescope or mental map of the constellations? Stargazing enthusiasts unite, Sept. 25-26, 2015, for southeast Michigan’s largest astronomy outing on the sands of Kensington Metropark beach: Astronomy on the Beach.
Hosted by Kensington Metropark and the Great Lakes Association of Astronomy Clubs, families can come out to test out the hydrogen-alpha solar telescopes are onsite, so astronomy enthusiasts can safely see prominent features, including sunspots on the sun’s surface prior to nightfall.
The Michigan Science Center’s portable planetarium serves up a tour of the night sky and identifies famous groups of stars named for mythological greats every twenty minutes.
Learn about comets and witness how these “celestial visitors” can be made on your kitchen table from ordinary household ingredients.
Kids can partake in the play “Rescue of Andromeda” as constellations, then participate in angular momentum demonstrations that portray how “fire tornados” manifest. Sport 3D glasses to take a cinematic tour of the Solar System to get pumped for a laser-guided tour that helps you depict the intricacies of celestial groups.
All evening, kids can try their hands at the Children’s Sky Tour Treasure Hunt in a race to garner prizes.
Night owls can observe the Milky Way well into the night with telescopes provided by GLAAC. And those without their own celestial-gazing equipment can checkout the various vendors selling astronomy products including telescopes, books and computer software.
Don’t miss this opportunity to stargaze, Sept. 25-26, 2015 (a perfect in preparation for the lunar eclipse Sept. 27, 2015!). The fun on the beach runs 6 p.m.-midnight, both days, and is free, but parking costs $7/vehicle at the park’s entrance.
Learn more about this year’s Astronomy on the Beach event at Kensington Metropark, and many other family friendly events, in the Metro Parent calendar.
