GRAAA

Archived account for the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association. Astronomy Education for the people of West Michigan for over 50 years.

[National Eclipse @NationalEclipse]

It's officially April 8 in the United States. The 2024 total solar eclipse in America is now exactly one year away. Get ready!

https://t.co/oFjkZlh3Kv

[Spaceflight Now @SpaceflightNow]

Even using the most powerful rocket NASA’s ever built, getting the agency’s unpiloted Orion spacecraft to the moon for the Artemis 1 test flight won’t be easy. It will hinge on a complex series of precisely orchestrated deep space maneuvers.

Read more: https://t.co/zYPmfpOJtf

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

What is @NASAWebb up to right now?

Currently, the James Webb Space Telescope is in the "cooling and aligning mirrors" phase. Learn more and track Webb's status and progress at https://t.co/JZBcdYI1O5. 🌌

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

Brightwell is originally from Lowell, and during over 20 years with Boeing, she has had a variety of experiences within one of America’s leading contributors to aerospace technology. She will discuss her experiences and the role of private enterprise in space missions.

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

Mark your calendars! We're partnering with the @grmuseum and the Roger B. Chaffee Scholarship Fund to bring you a FREE lecture hosted by Julie Wisner Brightwell (Flight Deck Chief Engineer for The Boeing Company) on Wednesday May 4 at 7:30pm.

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

"Building Our Legacy, Learning from the Past and Inspiring the Future" will be held in the GRPM’s Meijer Theater. This event is open to the public; seating is on a first come, first served basis. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

If you attend and take photos or want to share your experience with us, be sure to include the hashtag #VeenObservatory so we see it! We may even feature your photos in upcoming social media posts.

We hope to see you tonight! Happy observing.

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

Tonight's Public Observing Night is ON! It officially starts at 9pm, but you can drop in at any point for the duration of the event.

Though it's a beautiful day, sky conditions may be marginal. We will be featuring star clusters and double stars.

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

Join us for our first Public Observing Night of the season on Sat. April 23. Event will take place only if skies are clear. See full details at https://t.co/Y9pc4fliIw, and check https://t.co/HRz1MEFpI9 the day of the event for open/closed weather status. 🔭🌌

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

Thank you for joining us yesterday for our April meeting. We hope to see you on 5/19 for "Amateur Astronomy - What to Do and What Not to Do." This will be a discussion of important aspects of effective observing and use of a small telescope, accompanied by a unique “swap meet."

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

Join us on April 21 (in-person or virtually) for "Looking Ahead - The Positive Future of GRAAA and Veen Observatory," a special presentation by GRAAA leadership.⁠
⁠
#GRAAA #GRAstronomy #GrandRapidsAstronomy #VeenObservatory

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

To spot Lyra in the next few days, you'll want to look towards the NE horizon, especially towards midnight as the Lyrid meteoroid shower will be taking place this week.

#GRAAA #GRAstronomy #GrandRapidsAstronomy #lyridmeteoroidshower2022

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

There are many perks to becoming a GRAAA member! Visit https://t.co/P2ZM6DAtiv to find out how you can become involved!
.⁠
#graaa #GRAstronomy #GrandRapidsAstronomy #AmateurAstronomy

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

Did you know that the full moon after the spring equinox determines when Easter will be? This moon carries many names such as Paschal Moon, Pink Moon, and Easter Moon.

#GRAAA #fullmoon #easter2022 #astronomy

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

Join us for our first Public Observing Night of the season on Sat. April 23. Event will take place only if skies are clear. See full details at https://t.co/Y9pc4fliIw, and check https://t.co/HRz1MEFpI9 the day of the event for open/closed weather status. 🔭🌌

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

Did you know several GRAAA members are highly skilled astrophotographers? 🌌 GRAAA President Chris Miller took this image of the Lagoon Nebula (M8). You can check out more of his photos, equipment used, and astrophotography of some other GRAAA members at https://t.co/rjdGOosFRI.

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

Join us on April 21 (in-person or virtually) for "Looking Ahead - The Positive Future of GRAAA and Veen Observatory," a special presentation by GRAAA leadership.⁠ This is an opportunity for members to hear about the innerworkings and future of GRAAA. You won't want to miss!⁠

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

Volunteering is a wonderful way to get to know your fellow astronomy enthusiasts and take advantage of the camaraderie and friendships that come with being part of GRAAA. Let us know how you want to be involved at https://t.co/JhluReOZSQ.

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

There's a couple of key events happening up in the sky this month! Hope you're able to catch them.

https://t.co/nvVN6uKgj9

#GRAAA #GRAstronomy #WestMichiganAstronomy #AmateurAstronomy

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

In partnership with @grmuseum, we'll be doing a #statewideastronomynight on April 8th, 2022, 8pm to 10:30pm. So be sure to mark your calendars!

https://t.co/OXlWDrACR7

#GRAAA #Astronomy #GrandRapids #grandrapidspublicmuseum

[GRAAA @GR_Astronomy]

Here are the moon phases for April! Check out the other highlights you can observe this month via Beckstrom Observatory's monthly newsletter, "What's Up In Tonight's Sky": https://t.co/nvVN6uKgj9

Happy observing!