Eaton County -

The Year of the Comets
Comets, primarily composed of ice and dust, are typically brightest and most active around the time they are closest to the sun when solar heating causes the ice to vaporize releasing dust which heats to form the long classic comet tail.

During 2013 we will have the opportunity to view the newly discovered Comet C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) throughout the month of March as well as Comet C20012 S1 (ISON), which may turn out to be bright enough to be seen in daylight, near the beginning of November, 2013.

National Astronomy/Arbor Day Celebration

The Friends of Eaton County Parks invite everyone to join them at Fox Park Saturday, May 4, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for a free National Astronomy Day/Arbor Day Celebration.  Click here for details. 

Astrophotography Nights

Bring your camera and work with experienced photographers to capture photos of our beautiful night sky on the Saturday nights listed below:

If cloud cover does not permit sky viewing, theme based work sessions and PowerPoint presentations will be held instead. Program fee is $5 per person.  For more information and program registration, please e-mail Jason Blaschka at jb.foxpark@gmail.com.

Public Viewing Nights

March 23 and 30, 8:00 p.m.—11:00 p.m.
Jupiter and the Winter Milky Way set in the west as Saturn and the spring galaxies rise in the east.

April 20 and 27, 8:30 p.m.—11:00 p.m.
Jupiter and the Moon show off with Saturn joining them as the night progresses.

May 4, 9:00 p.m.—Midnight
Spring galaxies and globular clusters fill the sky as Jupiter sets in the west and Saturn rises in the east.

June 1, 15, 22, and 29, 9:00 p.m.—Midnight
Saturn, spring galaxies, globular clusters, and the moon will be featured.

Observation nights will not be held on nights with more than 30% cloud cover. Program fee is $2 per person or $5 per family. You may call the Observatory at 517-645-6666 during public viewing hours to check sky conditions.

HISTORY

The Fox Park Public Observatory was built entirely with donations and contributions from Lansing area businesses and opened its doors for public viewing the fall of 1999.  The Observatory was run by a dedicated group of amateur astronomers in conjunction with the Capital Area Astronomy Association (CAAA) for many years.  When the CAAA could no longer financially support the Observatory, ownership of the Observatory was turned over to the Eaton County Parks Department.

The emphasis at the Observatory is hands-on observing, CCD imaging, astrophotography, the hunt for galaxies, globular star clusters, nebulae, asteroids, comets, and studying the planets and moons in our solar system. Public viewing nights are lead by amateur astronomers who donate their time to make the beauty of the night sky accessible to everyone. 

SUPPORT

Please help support the Observatory by becoming a Friend of Eaton County Parks.  The Friends group provides financial support for equipment maintenance and enhancement at the Observatory allowing us to continue to provide public observation nights and other special viewing events.

The Friends of Eaton County Parks is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all dues and donations are tax deductible.

PROGRAMS

Eaton County Parks Naturalist, Jackie Blanc, is available by appointment to do astronomy programs/tours for interested groups either on site at the Observatory or at your facility or classroom. Groups may also attend any public viewing night. To arrange a program, please call 517-627-7351 ext. 23 or e-mail jblanc@eatoncounty.org.