My love for stargazing dates back to my childhood where my idea of a fun night was attending a presentation at the local planetarium. Yes, I was an odd kid.

Imagine my delight, though, to learn that those who love stargazing can do so for free at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Through the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society, visitors will be welcome to participate in stargazing sessions two nights a month.

As reported by WWMT News Channel 3, the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society, or KAS, recently took a year-long hiatus due to Covid-19. However, public observing sessions will resume on June 19th. The schedule over the next couple of months is as follows:

  • June 19th 9:30pm - 1:30am which will highlight the Moon and Double Stars
  • July 17th 9:30pm - 1:30am which will highlight Venus & the first Quarter Moon
  • July 31st 9:30pm - 1:30am which will highlight Jupiter, Saturn & Summer Triangle

You can see the full schedule on KAS's website. Keep in mind, these sessions are subject to cancellation due to poor weather or heavy cloud cover.

For those attending, a few telescopes of different sizes will be set up at the Kalamazoo Nature Center's Owl Observatory. But, you are encouraged to bring your own. Don't know how to set it up? No problem!

Each session will also include a "telescope clinic" where members of the KAS will help you set up your telescope and teach you how to use it properly. As well, Constellation Workshops will also be offered at each session.

For those who love stargazing and want to explore other areas where you can see the stars, check this out. There are a ton of places near the Kalamazoo area that offer fantastic views of the night sky:

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Today these parks are located throughout the country in 25 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The land encompassing them was either purchased or donated, though much of it had been inhabited by native people for thousands of years before the founding of the United States. These areas are protected and revered as educational resources about the natural world, and as spaces for exploration.

Keep scrolling for 50 vintage photos that show the beauty of America's national parks.

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