Kalamazoo observatory

Kalamazoo Observatory, known locally as Owl Observatory, sits at a nature centre a few miles north of downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan, where it has hosted public stargazing for decades.

About Kalamazoo Observatory

Owl Observatory is owned and operated by the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society (KAS), one of Michigan's oldest astronomy clubs. Its main instrument is the Leonard James Ashby Telescope, a Meade 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain mounted on an Astro-Physics 1600GTO German equatorial mount, housed in a compact 12-by-12-foot building with a roll-off roof.

History

The Kalamazoo Astronomical Society was founded in 1936 as the Kalamazoo Amateur Astronomical Association by Leonard James Ashby, making it the oldest organisation of its kind in Michigan. The observatory's telescope carries his name in tribute.

Telescopes & research

The Ashby Telescope, a 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain, is the observatory's primary instrument, used for both member and public observing sessions rather than professional research. Its computerised German equatorial mount allows the society's volunteers to track objects across the sky with precision during public nights.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits at a Nature Center roughly six miles north of downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan, chosen for its comparatively dark skies away from the city's lights, and its compact roll-off-roof building keeps the setup simple to open for each session.

Visiting Kalamazoo Observatory

The Kalamazoo Astronomical Society holds public observing sessions twice a month between April and October. Check the society's website for the current schedule before visiting.

See your named star from here

With a 16-inch telescope and a regular public observing programme, Owl Observatory is well placed to turn the coordinates of a Star Register named star into an actual view through the eyepiece. Browse our naming packages or search the star catalogue for a star's exact position.