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Statewide Astronomy Night

Explore the wonders of the universe with indoor or outdoor events on April 8th.


  • Statewide Astronomy Night Kalamazoo Valley Museum logo

    Astronomy for Everyone: Kalamazoo Valley Museum Statewide Astronomy Night

    Friday, April 8, 5:00 - 9:00 PM at Kalamazoo Valley Museum 230 N Rose St. Kalamazoo, MI 49007

    Appropriate for: All Ages

    Renae Kerrigan, Curator of Science & Planetarium Director at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, will discuss her trip to see observatories high in Chile's Atacama desert and her involvement in the Big Astronomy project. The show produced as part of that project, "Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries," showcases many of the people involved in operating, maintaining, and conducting research at these observatories, emphasizing that astronomy has a place for everyone, will be shown in the planetarium, and interactive demonstrations will be set up in the museum galleries.

    Please check the venue website for the most up to date COVID-19 protocols for each event.

    Learn more about Astronomy for Everyone: Kalamazoo Valley Museum Statewide Astronomy Night

    • Statewide Astronomy Night 7
    • Indoors 46
    • In-person 80


  • Statewide Astronomy Night Ella Sharp logo

    Ella Sharp Museum & Hurst Planetarium Statewide Astronomy Night

    Friday, April 8, 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Ella Sharp Museum Hurst Planetarium 3225 Fourth St. Jackson, MI 49203

    Appropriate for: All Ages

    Join Ella Sharp Museum and Hurst Planetarium for Statewide Astronomy Night. We will be hosting back-to-back FREE planetarium shows that showcase some of our favorite shows, and include a night sky tour of the Michigan night sky. Shows will start at 6pm and 7pm.

    Please check the venue website for the most up to date COVID-19 protocols.

    Learn more about Ella Sharp Museum & Hurst Planetarium Statewide Astronomy Night

    • Statewide Astronomy Night 7
    • Indoors 46
    • In-person 80


  • Statewide Astronomy Night MSU Observatory logo

    The Future of the Universe: Statewide Astronomy Night at the MSU Observatory

    Friday, April 8, 7:00 - 10:00 PM at MSU Observatory 4299 Pavillion Dr Lansing, MI 48910

    Appropriate for: All Ages

    Join us at the MSU Observatory for activities around the future of the universe and space exploration. Activities will happen rain or shine. Observing with the MSU Observatory telescopes will be out, weather permitting, to observe planets and deep sky objects visible in April.

    Learn more about The Future of the Universe: Statewide Astronomy Night at the MSU Observatory

    • Statewide Astronomy Night 7
    • Indoors 46
    • In-person 80


  • Statewide Astronomy Night Abrams Planetarium logo

    The Last Question

    Presented at the following times:

    Friday, April 8, 7:00 - 8:00 PM at Abrams Planetarium

    Pre-register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/abrams-planetarium-statewide-astronomy-night-700-pm-special-show-tickets-295431261857

    Requires pre-registration


    Friday, April 8, 8:30 - 9:30 PM at Abrams Planetarium

    Pre-register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/abrams-planetarium-statewide-astronomy-night-830-pm-special-show-tickets-295432325037

    Requires pre-registration


    Appropriate for: All Ages

    Abrams Planetarium will be hosting a free showing of the planetarium show based on Isaac Asimov's short story The Last Question. Can entropy be reversed? What is the fate of the universe? Explore these questions in this timeless short story written by one of the greatest science fiction authors of the 20th century. A star talk will follow.

    Please check the venue website for the most up to date COVID-19 protocols.

    Learn more about The Last Question

    • Statewide Astronomy Night 7
    • Indoors 46
    • In-person 80


  • Statewide Astronomy Night Detroit Observatory logo

    Seeing Anew: The Detroit Observatory Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow

    Friday, April 8, 7:30 - 11:00 PM at Detroit Observatory at University of Michigan 1398 E Ann St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109

    Appropriate for: All Ages

    The Detroit Observatory returns! After two years of construction and renovations, the Detroit Observatory at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor will host "Seeing Anew" on Statewide Astronomy Night. Our new building addition vastly improves accessibility into the Observatory and uses state-of-the-art technology to connect visitors with its 19th century telescopes.

    Our evening program begins with a hybrid virtual & in-person talk at 7 p.m. from astronomer Dr. Brian Nord. At 8 p.m. visitors will get to explore the original observatory and observe the night sky through the historic Henry Fitz refracting telescope!

    Please check the venue website for the most up to date COVID-19 protocols.

    Learn more about Seeing Anew: The Detroit Observatory Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow

    • Statewide Astronomy Night 7
    • Indoors 46
    • In-person 80


  • Statewide Astronomy Night Michigan Science Center logo

    'Scopes in the City

    Friday, April 8, 8:00 - 10:00 PM at Michigan Science Center 5020 John R St. Detroit, MI 48202

    Appropriate for: All Ages

    The Michigan Science Center will be hosting sidewalk astronomy and a special presentation of our planetarium show "Other Worlds-There's no place like Earth." In this show, we explore our solar system and beyond in search for what makes these places unique. Event will take place rain or shine.

    Please check the venue website for the most up to date COVID-19 protocols.

    Learn more about 'Scopes in the City

    • Statewide Astronomy Night 7
    • Indoors 46
    • In-person 80


  • Statewide Astronomy Night Veen observatory logo

    Statewide Astronomy Night at Veen Observatory

    Friday, April 8, 8:00 - 10:30 PM at Veen Observatory 3308 Kissing Rock Ave SE Lowell, MI 49331

    Appropriate for: All Ages

    Join the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium and the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association for a night of free stargazing at the James C. Veen Observatory. Along with the observatory telescopes, GRAAA members set up their own telescopes so that visitors can view the splendors of the night sky. Visitors can also tour the facility and enjoy a presentation about the history of the GRAAA and the James C. Veen Observatory.

    Fun space activities will be facilitated by educators from Grand Rapids Public Museum and cups of hot cocoa will be provided for everyone! The activities will be available rain or shine, but telescope viewing will only be possible if skies are clear.

    Please check the venue website for the most up-to-date COVID-19 protocols.

    Learn more about Statewide Astronomy Night at Veen Observatory

    • Statewide Astronomy Night 7
    • Indoors 46
    • In-person 80


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