The Universe (Gravity)

The next episode of the amazing series The Universe continues tonight. The new episode is called “Gravity.” Here’s a preview…

Gravity is the most powerful and exacting force in the universe. It is pervasive and penetrating. Gravity binds us together, its reach hangs stars in the sky and its grip crushes light. Gravity holds planets together, and leashes them to their suns. Without gravity, stars, comets, moons, nebulae, and even the Earth itself would not exist. Explore how science and humanity discovered, overcame and utilized gravity. Learn what it takes to propel objects into the heavens, to ride a wave or to ski down a slope. Take a front row seat as an astronaut subjects himself to the weightless wonders of the specially modified aircraft used to train astronauts known as the “Vomit Comet.”

Check local listings for the time of the show.

April’s Full Moon

The Full Moon for the month of April will be at 6.25am Eastern Time on Sunday, April 20th. The April moon is called the “Full Pink Moon” due to the early blossoming of “grass pink” or wild ground phlox, one of the first spring flowers. I guess you could say the moon this month is “in the pink.”

The moon will be one of the featured objects to look at during public nights at the James C. Veen Observatory this year. Please check the Public Night page on the GRAAA website for more information.

Hey! Want to Visit an Observatory?

In just a little over a week, the 2008 Public Night Season will begin at the James C. Veen Observatory, located south of Lowell, Michigan. If you haven’t been there before, or it has been a while, you are in for a great experience and a fun time.

Twice a month (if the skies are clear) - beginning at the end of April and continuing through the end of October - the members of the local astronomy club (Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association, or GRAAA) open the facilities to the public for tours, A/V presentations, and the opportunity to look at some of the wonders of the night sky. Some of the objects including the Moon and the planets, and even things further out into space: galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae full of gas and dust.

Listed below are the dates of the 2008 Public Observing Sessions, along with the times the observatory will be open…

April 26 - 9:00pm until 12:00am
May 10 - 9:00pm until 12:00am
May 31 - 9:00pm until 12:00am
June 14 - 9:30pm until 12:00am
June 28 - 9:30pm until 12:00am
July 12 - 9:30pm until 12:00am
July 26 - 9:30pm until 12:00am
August 9 - 9:00pm until 12:00am
August 30 - 9:00pm until 12:00am
September 13 - 8:00pm until 11:00pm
September 27 - 8:00pm until 11:00pm
October 11 - 7:30pm until 10:30pm
October 25 - 7:30pm until 10:30pm

Although we have these dates listed as being open, we will be open if the sky is clear only. Really, you can’t see much through a telescope if it’s raining.

So if you are interested in coming out on one of these nights, your best bet is to visit the club’s website (listed on the right) on the night you wish, and see if we are open. If you’re not near a computer, you can call us at 616.897.7065 and a recorded message will tell you if we are open or not.

The Public Night page on the website has a full schedule, plus some of the featured objects for each session. You will also find detailed information on the Public Nights, plus a FAQ.

It’s a fun time for the whole family. We hope to see you at the observatory this year.