The Kalamazoo Astronomical Society will once again bring astronomy to the people by hosting a day of exciting and informative activities at Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Texas Township Campus and the Kalamazoo Nature Center. This free event, aimed at the general public, including families with school age children, is intended to widen knowledge and appreciation of science, particularly of astronomy.

Astronomy Day 2017’s theme is the Great American Eclipse. On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will cross the United States from coast to coast. It will give tens of millions of people in a 70-mile-wide, 2,500-mile-long path from Oregon to South Carolina a chance to see the spectacular solar corona, a sight hidden from view except during totality. The continental United States is the only land mass along the eclipse path. Occurring during the summer vacation season, this eclipse holds the potential to be seen by more people than any other event of its kind in history.

This year we are pleased to feature presentations by the esteemed author and astronomer Dr. Tyler Nordgren, and world-renowned eclipse chasers Jay Anderson and Fred Espenak.

KVCC will host our daytime activities from 10am – 4pm. These include a solar star party, educational and informative displays, hands-on activities, an Eclipse Photography Workshop lead by Fred Espenak, and eclipse talks for children by Patricia Totten Espenak and Mike Sinclair. The KAS will also have Eclipse Shades available for purchase, so you can safely view the eclipse on August 21st.

Astronomy Day concludes with an observing session for the public at the Kalamazoo Nature Center starting at 8pm. Please be sure to visit our special Astronomy Day website for complete details: http://astroday.kasonline.org/