🚨🚨🚨 STAR PARTY ALERT!! 🚨🚨🚨
** Saturday, Oct 18, 2025 - - 7:30pm ~ 11:00am
Hello everyone - - Hoping you're having a great October so far, and taking in the fall ambiance!
A few things I look forward to myself is the awesome changing colors, and more pleasant temps (oh, and less bugs! 😁). But, I know that always means "winter's coming", which I *tolerate*, LOL, even though it has its own beauty!
First, we want to again give a big "Thank You" to everyone that came out to visit us and the observatory this year, and take in the marvelous sights of the night sky with us - - y'all are why we do what we do! 🙏
And on that, please join us this coming Sat, Oct 18 at 7:30pm at the Stephen F. Wessling Observatory, for our last star party of the year (hosted by The Newaygo County Dark Sky Astronomers)!
(*** Please note the earlier start time for our Sept and Oct observing events!)
Sunset on Sat is around 6:56pm, and the Moon will be absent from the sky all night (it'll be 3 days before New Moon phase, rising at 6:30am the next morning).
Our main focus will be watching for the Orionid Meteor Shower (shower peak is from Oct 20-22 - best viewing is after midnight to pre-dawn hours).
Since meteors can appear a few weeks before and after the peak date, if you have some clear nights before this weekend (or after), don't hesitate to try and spot some from where you live. They'll seem to originate from the constellation Orion in the east, and can appear anywhere in the sky. Try to get away from city lights as best you can - dress warm - bring a chair or blanket (no binoculars or telescope needed) - and enjoy the show! The Orionids usually produce around 20 meteors/hr under ideal dark-sky conditions.
Again, we'll be viewing Saturn, the Andromeda Galaxy, plus various star clusters and nebulae. And, we'll have our regular "Constellation Tour" for Oct, highlighting the fall constellations.
The Kropscott Farm Science Building doors will be open for visitor sign-ins a little before 7:30pm, with night sky observing till around 11:00pm, as long as people are there, and the skies are clear.
(** NOTE ** - - Please stop by the Science Building *FIRST* to sign in before heading over to the observatory).
Currently, Sat. is not looking the greatest right now, with a cloudy day forecasted and occasional showers. Temps are to be in the mid- to high-50's that evening.
But, as always, we'll be monitoring the forecast as the week progresses and keep you updated here. Any updates or changes will be posted in the "Discussion" tab of the event here, should observing plans be called off. Hopefully, things will turn out for the best for our last star party!
*** PLEASE NOTE: Observatory viewing is subject to cancellation due to cloudy skies/rain. However, on occasion, we'll have an inside program if there is inclement weather.
Club members and visitors are always welcome to bring their own equipment if they have any (telescopes and/or binoculars) to get help with setting up, how to use their equipment, observing tips, and sharing their favorite night sky objects with everyone! 🔭
Admission for the evening is:
Adults - $5.00
17 and younger - $2.00
Kids under five - FREE
(All proceeds go toward the maintenance and improvement of the Wessling Observatory and Kropscott Farm property).
The Dark Sky Astronomers team look forward to viewing the night sky with you on Sat. Oct. 18!
Until then...
Clear Skies! 🔭🌑🪐✨
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