A view of the Milky Way at night over treetops

Family Astronomy Night

About Family Astronomy Night

Family astronomy night is held virtually. We will return to hosting our in-person events as soon as possible. In the meantime, we are excited to continue to deliver fun and engaging astronomy night events to you via Zoom.

Virtual presentations include finding the planets and other cool things currently in the night sky. We will also keep you updated on what is happening in space and technology. Time is allowed during each of our live (virtual) events to answer questions from participants. Each presentation offers, upon request, printable sky charts, and other materials for your home use.

Please see the information below for upcoming events and recordings of past virtual Family Astronomy Night presentations.

You may also follow us on Facebook or join our mailing list to receive notices about upcoming Astronomy Night presentations and other events at MSU St. Andrews.

 

Upcoming Astronomy Night Events

There are no upcoming events or deadlines. Please check back soon.

Past Astronomy Night Events
2025

Telescopes: The Instrument that Changed the World Forever

Did you know that the telescope was invented multiple times? What are the different kinds of telescopes? How do each of them work? What kind of telescopes did the great astronomers of history use, and what did they discover with the equipment available to them? How do those telescopes differ from the ones that astronomers use today? How large are research telescopes—and why is size important? What kind of telescopes can you can buy and use yourself? Join Dr. Edmund Stark and the MSU-St. Andrews STEM Center by Zoom to learn more!

2024

The Invisible Universe: Astronomy with Light That We Can’t See

Did you know that the night sky is alive with all kinds of light that we can’t see?  Radio waves, ultraviolet light, gamma rays, infrared light, microwaves, and x-rays are all used by astronomers. But wait—doesn’t the greenhouse effect absorb infrared?  And doesn’t the ozone layer block ultraviolet?  How can these reach us?  And don’t x-rays pass through everything?  How do we focus or detect them?  And haven’t humans filled the whole sky with radio waves?  How can we find faint astronomical signals with all that background noise?  And most important:  what can all these different kinds of light tell us that visible light simply can’t?  Join me and the MSU-St. Andrews STEM Center by Zoom to learn more!

Quick Links
Health & Safety
Support Services
Working at MSU
Impact
Contact Us
989-374-9900
Contract-Research@standrews.msu.edu
Address
MSU St. Andrews
1910 West St. Andrews Road
Midland, MI 48640–2657