Kensington Astronomy at the Beach

2240 W Buno Rd, Milford, MI | Get Directions »
FREE

Michigan's premiere public astronomy event, drawing thousands year after to year. See dozens or hundreds of telescopes, tables from all the local astronomy clubs and stores, and a lot of people who are very excited about astronomy! We want ANYBODY and EVERYBODY interested in astronomy to show up!

Keynote speaker is two-time shuttle astronaut and geophysicist Dr. Andrew Feustel, a native of Lake Orion.

There are all kinds of great events, but highlights include (tentatively):

• Come early to view sunspots, prominences, and other features of the sun through safe white-light and incredible hydrogen-alpha solar telescopes.
• 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM ongoing (every 1/2 hour): A night sky simulation tours the constellations for the current evening sky using a portable planetarium.
• 6:15 PM: Learn about the celestial visitors we call comets. Watch a “comet” be made from dry ice and common household ingredients. Very family friendly.
• 7 PM: Kids can become the constellations in the “Rescue of Andromeda” impromptu play.
• 7:30 PM: Learn why light pollution is making it harder to see stars and what you can do to help reverse the trend.
• 7:50 PM: Find out how cold space is through a series of fast moving demonstrations using liquid nitrogen and everyday common objects, then watch a “fire tornado” come to life!
• 8:30 PM: Get a user-friendly introduction to astronomy from the Earth to the farthest reaches of the universe – then take a 3D voyage into deep space!
• 9 PM: Meet a real astronaut, Drew Feustel, and learn from his insights into the future of NASA and spaceflight in general.
• 10 PM: Get a laser-guided tour of the night sky and learn the shapes of the constellations.
• All evening: there will be a Children’s Sky Tour Treasure Hunt. See one of every type of object for a prize!
• Stay late and observe dozens of celestial objects until midnight through the many telescopes provided by the GLAAC members.
• Camera Mart, Great Red Spot Astronomy, and other vendors will have various astronomy products including telescopes, binoculars, eyepieces, books and computer software on display and for purchase.

If you don't have a Metroparks pass ($20/year), they will charge $5 per vehicle at the gate, but the events are free.

We recommend you bring:

• CASH for entrance to the Metro Park, if you don't have an annual pass 
• A snack (though there is a food counter) 
• Hat and jacket - it gets a bit chilly late. 
• Bug spray 
• Red flashlight (not essential - just don't bring a white one) 
• Binoculars

More Info: MeetUp

Event Website HERE.

Event Flyer: PDF

Note: I've provided my email address below if you'd like more information, but I am NOT a coordinator for this event... just an astronomy enthusiast who will be with his club at this event - with my telescopes.