September 16 & 17 – our 26th year!
We are returning to an in-person event this year
at Island Lake Recreation Area!
6301 Kensington Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Event is FREE! No registration required. Parking requires Recreation Passport or park entry fee (see below).
Schedule
In-person – at the Beach
Friday Sept. 16
4:00 – 6:00 PM: Solar Observing – Telescope field
7:00 – 7:50 PM: Meteorites and Tektites– Sandra Macika
8:00 – 8:50 PM: To the Moon! Michigan’s Contributions to the Apollo Program and Beyond – Keynote with Dr. Nicolle Zellner
8:00 – 8:50 PM: Meteorites and Tektites – Sandra Macika
9:00 – 9:50 PM: James Webb Space Telescope – Solar System Ambassadors: Tim Campbell & Liam Finn
9:00 – 9:50 PM: Meteorites and Tektites– Sandra Macika
10:00 – 11:30 PM: Tour of the Constellations – Telescope field
10:00 – 10:50 PM: Meteorites and Tektites – Sandra Macika
Saturday Sept. 17
4:00 – 6:00 PM: Solar Observing – Telescope field
6:00 – 6:50 PM: Meteorites and Tektites – Sandra Macika
7:00 – 7:30 PM: How to Make a Comet – Michigan Science Center
7:00 – 7:50 PM: Meteorites and Tektites – Sandra Macika
7:45 – 8:45 PM: Life in the Universe – Keynote with Dr. Nicolle Zellner
8:00 – 8:50 PM: Meteorites and Tektites – Sandra Macika
9:00 – 10:30 PM: James Webb Space Telescope – Solar System Ambassadors: Tim Campbell & Liam Finn
9:00 – 9:50 PM: Meteorites and Tektites – Sandra Macika
10:30 – 11:30 PM: Tour of the Constellations – Telescope field
Remote Sessions- via Zoom
For those unable to attend the event in person at the park, Solar System Ambassadors Bob Trembley and John McGill will host astronomy and space science presentations via Zoom on the same evenings.
Friday Sept. 16
6:00 – 6:50 PM: Tour of the Solar System in SpaceEngine – Bob Trembley – [ZOOM-Link]
7:00 – 7:50 PM: Mission to Mars in Kerbal Space Program – Bob Trembley – [ZOOM-Link]
Saturday Sept. 17
6:00 – 6:50 PM: Tour of the Solar System in SpaceEngine – Bob Trembley – [ZOOM-Link]
7:00 – 7:50 PM: Mission to Mars in Kerbal Space Program – [ZOOM-Link]
8:00 – 9:00 PM: Artemis to the Moon and Beyond – John McGill – [Zoom-Link]
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Nicolle Zellner
Dr. Zellner is a professor of physics at Albion College in Albion, MI, where she teaches introductory and advanced astronomy and physics courses. She is currently working as a NASA Program Scientist in NASA’s Planetary Science Division. Nicolle’s research interests focus on understanding the impact history of the Earth-Moon system and how those impacts affected the conditions for life on Earth. She studies lunar impact glasses to interpret the bombardment history of the Moon (and Earth), and a second project focuses on understanding how the chemistry of simple molecules is affected by impacts.
She is a volunteer NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, and as a woman in science, she advocates for inclusive approaches and practices to increase diversity (in all of its forms) in the sciences.
Event Special Features
Telescopes on the field – Astronomers from across southeastern Michigan set up solar and nighttime telescopes of all shapes and sizes for you to use!
Gemini Spacecraft Simulator – BECOME AN ASTRONAUT! A first this year: Jeff MacLeod, a member of the Warren Astronomical Society, has built a working simulator of the Gemini spacecraft that you can actually sit in and fly! A truck from the outside, a capsule on the inside, this unique experience will give you a taste of what it was like being one of the first Astronauts.
Cost and Parking
The Astronomy at the Beach event itself is free. However, it is located within a state park, so a Michigan State Park “Recreation Passport” on your license plate tag is required to get you in; a metro-park sticker is not adequate (since this is not a metro-park).
If you do not have a Recreation Passport, you can buy the annual sticker at the gate for $12 (plus a $5 convenience fee – because they really want you to buy this option when you renew your vehicle registration tags).