County to host free National Astronomy Day event

Written By Staff

Photo courtesy of Ottawa County Parks & Recreation

Ottawa County Parks & Recreation invites the community to celebrate National Astronomy Day on May 9 from noon to midnight at the Hemlock Crossing Public Observatory, 8115 West Olive Road, West Olive. The free, family-friendly event features solar viewing, a self-guided Planet Walk, an evening lecture titled Perspectives of Scale, and nighttime telescope viewing with constellation stories.

Hosted by the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association, the all-day event includes activities designed for all ages and experience levels, making it an accessible introduction to astronomy for families and curious learners. Children who attend will receive a free raffle ticket for a chance to win a telescope.

“We’re excited to give people a chance to experience the wonders of the universe through a large telescope,” said Frank Roldan, Observatory Director, Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association. “Whether it’s your first time or your hundredth, there’s always something to discover. Fingers crossed for clear skies."

From noon to 5 p.m., attendees can enjoy solar observing using the Coronado and Meade LX-600 telescopes, along with a self-guided Planet Walk that illustrates the scale of the solar system. The event continues in the evening with a 7 to 8 p.m. lecture, Perspectives of Scale, followed by nighttime programming from 8 p.m. to midnight featuring sky observation through multiple telescopes, as well as constellation identification and mythological storytelling.

In the event of cloudy skies, activities will be available inside the Nature Education Center from noon to 5 p.m., including a Planet Walk display, telescope exhibit, and space-themed videos.

The program is free and open to the public. Registration is appreciated but not required. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/astronomyday-5-9.

West Michigan Newspop Digital Partners

Staff
Next

Theatre group to stage “Princess Ida”