Newaygo County Public Opinion

Guest Article: National Astronomy Day

3/30/2017

Guest Article: National Astronomy Day
By Ned Hughes

This year National Astronomy Day will be celebrated on Saturday April 29, 2017. The Kropscott Farm Environmental Center/ SF Wessling Observatory, located just 7 miles north of Fremont, has family activities planned for that entire day. The fun will start at 2:00 p.m. and end with participants viewing the stars, planets and deep sky objects until midnight.

According to the Astronomical League, composed of over two hundred and forty local amateur astronomical societies from all across the United States, ‘Astronomy Day is a grassroots movement designed to share the joy of astronomy with the general population - "Bringing Astronomy to the People." ‘

‘Thousands of people who have never looked through a telescope will...

...have an opportunity to see first-hand what has so many amateur and professional astronomers so excited. Astronomy clubs, science museums, observatories, universities, planetariums, laboratories, libraries, and nature centers host special events and activities to acquaint their population with local astronomical resources and facilities.’

'It is an astronomical PR event that helps highlight ways the general public can get involved with astronomy – and/or at least get some of their questions about astronomy answered. Astronomy Week starts on the previous Monday and ends on the following Sunday. National Astronomy Day started in 1973 in northern California.’

So, if you are looking for a day of family fun, join us for wagon rides, space related videos, planetarium presentations, drone demonstrations, a special presentation by Laura Hartman (WZZM Meteorologist), a BBQ chicken sandwich ($2) and finally, a star party at the SF Wessling Observatory. Admission is FREE, and all this happens on Saturday, April 29, 2017 starting at 2:00 p.m. at the Kropscott Farm Environmental Center/SF Wessling Observatory, 6523 W Baseline Rd, Fremont, MI 49412.

Call 231-924-2060, Ext. 5 for additional information or check out our websites at www.kropscottfarm.org, www.sfwobservatory, or our Facebook pages.

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Guest Article: National Astronomy Day

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