Hemlock Crossing Public Observatory
The observatory is open to the public on Friday evenings throughout the year whenever viewing conditions allow. Dress appropriately as the temperature inside the observatory will match the outside ambient temperature. Night sky tour includes: visible planets, the Moon, galaxies, star clusters and planetary nebulae. When viewing conditions call for overcast skies, chance of rain or snow, the viewing session will be canceled.
Club Meetings
Club meetings are open to the public. They occur at 7pm on the second Thursday of the month throughout the school year (September – May). Meetings are held in the planetarium at Macatawa Bay School 3700 140th Avenue, Holland, Michigan. There are no club meetings in the summer months (June – July – August).
Click here for directions to Macatawa Bay School.
Lectures at Hemlock Crossing
SAAA presents informational and educational lectures at Hemlock Crossing inside the Nature Education Center on the second Saturday of the month. Programs are followed by public observatory sessions accompanied by member’s telescopes. The goal is to have fun while learning.
2023 Lecture Schedule
| Date | Time | Title | Presenter |
| Jan 14 | 7 pm | Lecture: Women in Astronomy | Peter Burkey |
| Feb 11 | 7 pm | Lecture: Artemis I – Mission Update | Mike Long |
| Mar 11 | 7 pm | Lecture: Spring Sky | Frank Roldan |
| Apr 8 | 8 pm | Lecture: James Webb Space Telescope | Mike Cortright |
| May 13 | 8 pm | Lecture: Summer Sky | Frank Roldan |
| Jun 10 | dusk | Public Observatory Night | SAAA Members |
| Jul 8 | dusk | Public Observatory Night | SAAA Members |
| Aug 12 | dusk | Public Observatory Night | SAAA Members |
| Sep 9 | 8 pm | Lecture: Ring of Fire / Annular Solar Eclipse | Jim Reier |
| Oct 14 | 7 pm | Lecture: Fall Sky | Mike Long |
| Nov 11 | 7 pm | Lecture: Telescope Basics | Frank Roldan |
