Battle Point Astronomical Association

10/08/2026

✨ 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦: 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗔 𝗕𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥
Sometimes you get to see the moment when curiosity catches.
After attending the Summer Science Program at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls this summer, Ella Baker sought out Battle Point Observatory as a way to stay involved with astronomy — and to share what she was learning with others.

One of her most memorable experiences at BPO happened while talking with a young visitor at a Sounds of Summer concert. Ella showed him an image of the Pinwheel Galaxy — the first image captured by BPO’s new telescope — and talked with him about the planetarium and some of the things about astronomy that fascinated her.
Then he picked up a piece of paper and drew the galaxy she had shown him.

“I saw that, through my interaction with him, I had sparked a sense of curiosity and passion,” Ella recalls. “This felt incredibly rewarding for me, and showed me what kind of impact I could have.”

Now Ella is looking forward to BPAA’s high school internship program. While she’s excited about the opportunity to conduct research, what excites her most is the possibility of helping other students discover just how vast — and how much still remains unknown — in astronomy and astrophysics.

“I believe that it is important to allow high school students to be able to explore potential careers and get a taste of what their lives may look like beyond school.”
Looking ahead, Ella plans to pursue mechanical engineering alongside substantial study and research in physics and astrophysics, with the goal of eventually pursuing a PhD in physics or astrophysics.

Her larger goal is to build a broad foundation that will allow her to make meaningful contributions across a variety of fields.

This is what making space for wonder can look like: one student discovers something extraordinary — and then helps someone else discover it, too. 🔭✨

Your support for Make Space for Wonder helps Battle Point Astronomical Association continue creating opportunities for young people to explore astronomy, science and discovery.

And right now, your gift can have twice the impact: a generous donor will match gifts to BPAA dollar for dollar, up to $5,000.

Make space for the next question. The next discovery. The next “Wow!”

𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘
𝗔 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: Facebook is currently limiting the number of clickable external links some Pages, including ours, can share each month. So if you don’t see the usual live link in this post, we haven’t forgotten it! Please follow the website directions provided below to reach our donation page. Thanks for bearing with us while we adapt to this new Facebook restriction.
𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘: Visit givebutter .com / makespaceforwonder — copy and paste the address into your browser, then remove the spaces. This will take you directly to our Make Space for Wonder campaign. You can also visit bpastro .org the same way: copy and paste the address into your browser and remove the space.

10/06/2026

🔭 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 $𝟱𝟬𝟬 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗢?

Bring the universe to school!

Imagine a classroom full of students exploring the night sky without ever leaving their school.

Through its educational outreach, Battle Point Astronomical Association brings astronomy directly to Kitsap schools, giving students opportunities to discover science beyond their textbooks.

A $500 donation can help make an onsite astronomy presentation and portable planetarium experience possible for a Kitsap school.

These are the experiences that bring science to life, encourage questions and introduce young people to the wonders of the universe.

🌟 Help us Make Space for Wonder.

Give $500 or whatever you can:
https://givebutter.com/makespaceforwonder

Your gift to Battle Point Astronomical Association creates opportunities for people of all ages to experience astronomy and science firsthand

10/06/2026

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥: 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗢𝗡.
What happens when a self-described “newbie astrophotographer” takes on the rapidly changing world of smart telescopes?

This Saturday, October 10, BPAA member Norris Washington joins us at Battle Point Observatory for our October Second Saturday Science Talk: Smart Telescopes: From “Hobby Killers” to Cosmic Democratization.

Before moving to Bainbridge Island with his wife Pam and retired service dog Bessy, Norris spent 32 years as an antitrust attorney with the Federal Trade Commission, specializing in investigations involving industries ranging from petrochemicals and oil and gas to hospitals and computers.

These days, he’s turned some of that curiosity toward the night sky — and describes himself as a newbie astrophotographer enjoying all the “growing pains” that come with it.

Norris will explore how a new generation of all-in-one smart telescopes is changing backyard astronomy — from automated plate-solving and live stacking to increasingly sophisticated “pocket observatories” that are opening new possibilities for astrophotography, citizen science and experiencing the night sky.

Come meet Norris and discover what’s happening at the intersection of astronomy and rapidly evolving technology.

📅 Saturday, October 10 | 6 PM
📍 Battle Point Observatory
🎟️ Free for BPAA members | $5 non-members

Stay after the talk for a planetarium show — and, if skies are clear, a Star Party! 🔭✨
𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥

𝗔 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: Facebook is currently limiting the number of clickable external links some Pages, including ours, can share each month. So if you don’t see the usual live link in this post, we haven’t forgotten it! Please follow the website directions provided below to reach the event registration page. Thanks for bearing with us while we adapt to this new Facebook restriction.
𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥: Visit bpastro .org — copy and paste the address into your browser, remove the space, then visit Events for the October Second Saturday Science Talk.

10/05/2026

𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧: $𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗜𝗙𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗣𝗔𝗔!
Exciting news — a generous donor will match gifts to Battle Point Astronomical Association dollar for dollar, up to $5,000!

✨ A $25 gift can become $50
✨ A $50 gift can become $100
✨ A $100 gift can become $200

Your support helps make possible the astronomy education, hands-on science and community programming happening at Battle Point Observatory and beyond — and right now, your generosity can have twice the impact. Let’s unlock the full $5,000 match and make even more space for wonder in our community.

Make space for the next question. The next discovery. The next “Wow!” 🔭✨

𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬
𝗔 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: Facebook is currently limiting the number of clickable external links some Pages, including ours, can share each month. So if you don’t see the usual live link in this post, we haven’t forgotten it! Please follow the website directions provided below to reach the event, registration or donation page. Thanks for bearing with us while we adapt to this new Facebook restriction.

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦: To donate, visit givebutter .com / makespaceforwonder — copy and paste the address into your browser, then remove the spaces. This will take you directly to our 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 campaign. You can also visit bpastro .org the same way: copy and paste the address into your browser and remove the space.

10/04/2026

✨ 𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬
Curiosity has no age limit!

At Battle Point Observatory, astronomy is something families can discover together. From exploring the night sky through a telescope to enjoying a planetarium show or getting hands-on with science, there are opportunities for everyone to learn something new.

And sometimes the most memorable part isn't what you discover. It's who you get to share it with.

Through public programs, educational activities and community events, Battle Point Astronomical Association brings people of all generations together through a shared curiosity about the universe.

🌟 Help us keep making these experiences possible. Support our Make Space for Wonder campaign:

https://givebutter.com/makespaceforwonder

Your gift to Battle Point Astronomical Association creates opportunities for people of all ages to experience astronomy and science firsthand

10/02/2026

🎶 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 $𝟮𝟬𝟬 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗢?
A summer evening in the park. Music in the air. And a little journey through the universe!

During summer Concerts in the Park, Battle Point Observatory offers a different kind of intermission: planetarium shows that give concertgoers an opportunity to explore the night sky.

A $200 donation helps make these shows possible, bringing astronomy and science into an evening of music and community fun.

It's one of the many ways Battle Point Astronomical Association makes science accessible to people of all ages, sometimes when they least expect it!

🌟 Help us Make Space for Wonder.

Give $200 or whatever you can:
https://givebutter.com/makespaceforwonder

Photo courtesy of Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District

10/01/2026

>📡 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗬: 𝗔𝗟𝗟-𝗜𝗡-𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦
From “hobby killers” to cosmic democratization — the telescope is having a revolution. 📡 Join us in person at Battle Point Observatory Saturday, October 10 at 6 PM as BPAA member and newbie astrophotographer Norris Washington explores how a new generation of all-in-one smart telescopes is changing the way people experience the night sky. (LINKS BELOW)

For generations, astronomy could come with complicated setups, steep learning curves and telescopes that promised the moon but sometimes delivered blurry disappointment. Today, automated plate-solving, live stacking and increasingly sophisticated all-in-one devices are making backyard observing more accessible.
Norris will explore everything from grab-and-go units like the Seestar to high-end robotic observatories, the rapid innovation underway among companies like DwarfLab and ZWO, and how these “pocket observatories” are opening new possibilities for astrophotography, citizen science and experiencing the night sky together.

Make an evening of it! Stay for a planetarium show & if skies are clear, a Star Party!

📅 Saturday, October 10 | 6 PM
📍 Battle Point Observatory
🎟️ Free for BPAA members | $5 non-members

Register today to save your seat: Free to members $5 non-members: Online at Battle Point Astronomical Association, BPASTRO .ORG -> Events

10/01/2026

✨ 𝗔 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦
There's something wonderful about gathering under a dark sky, waiting your turn at a telescope and hearing someone exclaim, “Wow!”

At Battle Point Observatory, our Star Parties bring neighbors, families and astronomy enthusiasts together to explore the night sky. With telescopes and knowledgeable volunteers on hand, there's always something new to discover, whether you're a first-time visitor or have been looking up for years.

These are the moments that make our community so special. And they're among the many experiences your support helps make possible.

🌟 Help us Make Space for Wonder. Your gift supports astronomy education, public programs and opportunities for our community to explore the universe together.

https://givebutter.com/makespaceforwonder

📷 Star Party photos © Mark Young

09/29/2026

🔭✨ 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 $𝟱𝟬 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗢?
It can help turn a kid’s curiosity about the universe into something they can actually explore. 🌎🪐
Planet Pioneers gives young people a place to ask questions, learn about astronomy, experience the planetarium — and discover just how much there is to wonder about.
💫 A $50 gift helps provide supplies and handouts for one Planet Pioneers class, helping BPAA keep experiences like these accessible to young explorers in our community.
Because sometimes making space for wonder starts with simply giving a curious kid somewhere to look up. ✨
🌌 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗪𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥.
Support Battle Point Astronomical Association:
https://givebutter.com/makespaceforwonder

09/27/2026

✨ 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦: 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗪
What happens when you combine a passion for physics with a talent for magic?

You get Marshall Bonow, a Hyla High School senior who recently took the stage at Battle Point Observatory to demonstrate how magic can make complex scientific concepts more approachable — and a whole lot more fun.

Marshall has been studying magic since childhood, and his interest in physics led him to combine the two. His recent presentation brought science and sleight of hand together, exploring concepts that included quantum mechanics.

His goal? “I hope that people come away with more questions about science than before, and I hope that those questions ignite a passion for science in each of them.”

It's young people like Marshall, and opportunities to share their curiosity with our community, that make Battle Point Observatory such a special place.

Help us Make Space for Wonder. Your donation supports the educational programs and community experiences that make stories like Marshall's possible.

https://givebutter.com/makespaceforwonder