Ford Amateur Astronomy Club

Ford Amateur Astronomy Club Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Ford Amateur Astronomy Club, Nonprofit Organization, 5101 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI.

Picture this: row after row of telescopes stretching across the field as dusk settles in, red flashlights bobbing betwee...
09/06/2026

Picture this: row after row of telescopes stretching across the field as dusk settles in, red flashlights bobbing between them while families wander from scope to scope. That's the telescope field at Astronomy at the Beach, and every single instrument out there is fair game for a look. Bring the kids and let them hop from an 8-inch reflector to a giant Dobsonian in the same night, then watch their faces when Saturn's rings snap into focus.

Astronomy at the Beach is Michigan's largest free astronomy event, happening Sept. 18 & 19 at Island Lake Recreation Area. Entry is free, and the field is staffed by astronomers who genuinely love walking first-timers of any age through what they're seeing.

While you're there, pick up a raffle ticket at the event for a chance to win the grand prize: a DWARF mini Smart Telescope from Dwarflab. It's just 840 grams, with a built-in astronomical camera, automatic tracking mount, and smart controls that make deep-sky imaging simple even for beginners. Ticket sales help fund the event.

Shopping for your own DWARF mini? Use code GLAAC at checkout for 5% off at https://checkout.dwarflab.com/discount/GLAAC.

Full event details and raffle info: https://www.glaac.org

Photo: Amy Cantu, from a past AATB telescope field

Planning your trip to Astronomy at the Beach yet? Here's the practical rundown: it's Michigan's largest free astronomy e...
09/06/2026

Planning your trip to Astronomy at the Beach yet? Here's the practical rundown: it's Michigan's largest free astronomy event, Sept. 18 & 19 at Island Lake State Park, and there's no registration - just show up. Since we're inside a state park, you'll need a Recreation Passport on your plate to get through the gate, or grab the $13 annual sticker (plus a $5 convenience fee) if you don't have one. Once you're in, pick up a raffle ticket at the event for a chance to win this year's grand prize: a DWARF mini Smart Telescope - an 840-gram smart scope with a precision astronomical camera, automatic tracking mount, and intelligent control system, sponsored by Dwarflab. Every ticket sold helps fund AATB. Shopping for your own DWARF mini? Use code GLAAC at checkout for 5% off at https://checkout.dwarflab.com/discount/GLAAC. Full schedule, directions, and raffle details at https://www.glaac.org. See you under the stars!

Ever wonder what it takes to get a hundred-plus telescopes ready before the crowds arrive? Here's one of our volunteers ...
09/05/2026

Ever wonder what it takes to get a hundred-plus telescopes ready before the crowds arrive? Here's one of our volunteers fine-tuning a scope at a past Astronomy at the Beach, making sure that when your kids step up to the eyepiece, that first look at the Moon or Saturn is sharp and unforgettable. (Photo: Amy Cantu)

Mark your calendars for Sept. 18 & 19 — Michigan's largest free astronomy event returns, free to attend for the whole family.

While you're there, pick up a raffle ticket for a chance to win the grand prize: a DWARF mini Smart Telescope (840g, with a built-in astronomical camera, automatic tracking mount, and intelligent control system), sponsored by Dwarflab. Ticket sales go straight toward funding AATB.

Shopping for your own DWARF mini? Use code GLAAC at checkout for 5% off at https://checkout.dwarflab.com/discount/GLAAC.

Full schedule, activities, and raffle details: https://www.glaac.org

See you under the stars!

Did you know Astronomy at the Beach ties directly into an actual NASA mission this year? Our theme is "Artemis – Returni...
09/05/2026

Did you know Astronomy at the Beach ties directly into an actual NASA mission this year? Our theme is "Artemis – Returning to the Moon," inspired by Artemis II, which wrapped up this past April: four astronauts flew 252,756 miles from Earth aboard the Orion spacecraft, farther than any humans in history, testing the very life-support systems that will eventually carry a crew to the lunar surface. Come hear how it all connects, Sept. 18 & 19 at Island Lake State Park, at Michigan's largest free astronomy event — our 30th year! Entry is free, no registration required.

While you're there, pick up a raffle ticket for a chance to win this year's grand prize: a DWARF mini Smart Telescope — 840 grams, with a precision astronomical camera, automatic tracking mount, and intelligent control system, sponsored by Dwarflab. Ticket sales help fund AATB.

Shopping for your own DWARF mini? Use code GLAAC at checkout for 5% off at https://checkout.dwarflab.com/discount/GLAAC.

Full event details and raffle info: https://www.glaac.org

Six months ago, four astronauts rode NASA's Orion spacecraft farther from Earth than any humans in history — 252,756 mil...
09/05/2026

Six months ago, four astronauts rode NASA's Orion spacecraft farther from Earth than any humans in history — 252,756 miles, looping around the far side of the Moon and back. This year at Astronomy at the Beach, we're spotlighting that record-breaking April 2026 Artemis II flight and what it means for our return to the lunar surface.

Join us Sept. 18 & 19 at Island Lake State Park for Michigan's largest free astronomy event, now in its 30th year! Entry is free and no registration is needed.

While you're on the field, pick up a raffle ticket for a chance to win our grand prize: a DWARF mini Smart Telescope. This 840-gram powerhouse packs a precision astronomical camera, an automatic tracking mount, and an intelligent control system, generously sponsored by Dwarflab. Ticket proceeds help fund AATB.

Shopping for your own DWARF mini? Use code GLAAC at checkout for 5% off at https://checkout.dwarflab.com/discount/GLAAC.

Full schedule, keynote info, and raffle details: https://www.glaac.org

See you under the stars!

Ever watched a kid's face light up the first time they look through a real telescope? That's what's waiting for your fam...
09/02/2026

Ever watched a kid's face light up the first time they look through a real telescope? That's what's waiting for your family at Astronomy at the Beach, Sept. 18 & 19 at Island Lake Recreation Area — Michigan's largest free astronomy event, and entry is free. Volunteers line the field with telescopes of every size all evening long, and everyone, kids included, gets a turn at the eyepiece.

This shot is from a past AATB (photo: Amy Cantu) — just a taste of what a dusk telescope session by the water looks like. Come make your own memory this year.

While you're there, pick up a raffle ticket for a chance to win the grand prize: a DWARF mini Smart Telescope (840g, with an automatic tracking mount and a built-in astro camera), sponsored by Dwarflab. Ticket sales help fund AATB.

Shopping for your own DWARF mini? Use code GLAAC at checkout for 5% off at https://checkout.dwarflab.com/discount/GLAAC.

Full event details: https://www.glaac.org

Ever wonder what's under the hood of this year's Astronomy at the Beach raffle grand prize? The DWARF mini Smart Telesco...
09/02/2026

Ever wonder what's under the hood of this year's Astronomy at the Beach raffle grand prize? The DWARF mini Smart Telescope packs a precision astronomical camera, an automatic tracking mount, and a full intelligent control system into a body that weighs just 840 grams. Point it at the sky and it finds and tracks celestial targets on its own.

Dwarflab is sponsoring this year's raffle, and tickets go on sale at the event itself (proceeds help fund AATB) — pick one up for a chance to win.

Join us Sept. 18 & 19 at Island Lake State Park for Michigan's largest free astronomy event.

Shopping for your own DWARF mini? Use code GLAAC at checkout for 5% off: https://checkout.dwarflab.com/discount/GLAAC

Full event and raffle details: https://www.glaac.org

Spot this banner and you've found us! This is the entrance to Astronomy at the Beach, Michigan's largest free astronomy ...
09/01/2026

Spot this banner and you've found us! This is the entrance to Astronomy at the Beach, Michigan's largest free astronomy event — and it's the easiest landmark for families to find our activity tent, telescope field, and kid-friendly stations once you arrive. (Photo: Amy Cantu, from a past AATB event.)

Mark your calendars for Sept. 18 & 19! Bring the kids for hands-on activities, telescope viewing, and plenty of photo ops under the night sky.

While you're there, pick up a raffle ticket for a chance to win our grand prize: a DWARF mini Smart Telescope (840g, with a precision astronomical camera and automatic tracking mount), sponsored by Dwarflab. Ticket sales help fund the event.

Shopping for your own DWARF mini? Use code GLAAC at checkout for 5% off at https://checkout.dwarflab.com/discount/GLAAC.

Full event details and raffle info: https://www.glaac.org

Mark your calendars: Astronomy at the Beach returns to Island Lake State Park on September 18 & 19, and this year's keyn...
09/01/2026

Mark your calendars: Astronomy at the Beach returns to Island Lake State Park on September 18 & 19, and this year's keynote speaker is Dr. Dale Partin, presenting "Life in the Universe" both nights at 7:45 PM. Dale holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and teaches astronomy at Macomb Community College — expect a talk that digs into the real science of what it takes for life to exist beyond Earth.

This year's AATB theme ties into Artemis II, the mission that wrapped up this past April after sending four astronauts around the Moon and setting a new record for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth. We'll be talking Orion, the Moon, and what's next for NASA's return to the lunar surface.

AATB is Michigan's largest free astronomy event — entry is free, no registration needed. Want a shot at winning a DWARF mini Smart Telescope, this year's raffle grand prize from Dwarflab? Pick up a raffle ticket at the event for a chance to win — proceeds help fund AATB. Shopping for your own DWARF mini? Use code GLAAC at checkout for 5% off at https://checkout.dwarflab.com/discount/GLAAC.

Full details: https://www.glaac.org

Ever watched a kid "launch a rocket" without leaving the ground? Our NASA display volunteers run a hands-on rocket simul...
08/31/2026

Ever watched a kid "launch a rocket" without leaving the ground? Our NASA display volunteers run a hands-on rocket simulator that pulls kids right up to the console — it's one of the most popular stops in the activity tent every year. (This shot is from a past AATB, photo credit: Amy Cantu — but it's exactly the kind of thing you'll find at this year's event!)

Michigan's largest FREE astronomy event returns Sept. 18 & 19 at Island Lake State Park. Entry is free, and there's something for every age: telescope viewing on the field, hands-on exhibits like this one, and a food table from Civil Air Patrol Unit 437 if you get hungry.

While you're there, pick up a raffle ticket for a chance to win the grand prize: a DWARF mini Smart Telescope (840g, automatic tracking mount, built-in astro camera), sponsored by Dwarflab. Proceeds help fund AATB.

Shopping for your own DWARF mini? Use code GLAAC at checkout for 5% off at https://checkout.dwarflab.com/discount/GLAAC.

Full event details & raffle info: https://www.glaac.org

Address

5101 Evergreen Road
Dearborn, MI
48128

Telephone

+13137572582

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