Welcome to the Oakland Astronomy Club Website!
Our Club Is Located in Oakland County, Michigan
Fascinated by the Night Sky?
Have a question about Equipment?
Wondering how to get started?
Astrophotography Questions?
Just Curious?
Check us Out!
Club Meetings are in-person and Virtual !!
Guests are always welcome at our club meetings, either in person or via Zoom. Fill out the Meeting Invitation Form and we'll send you the meeting details.
Feature Presentation for March
This month's feature presentation by Tom Croskey is titled Mass Extinctions. The presentation will focus on both natural and other risks which could put our species' existence in jeopardy. Tom's presentation will cover our planet's history of events as well as future risks. For example, what caused the extinction of the dinosaurs? The answer may involve more than an asteroid."
April's Tech-Talk
Aperture and focal length-whose light is it anyways? David Kastl will discuss telescope and lens aperture juxtaposed with the optical tube's focal length and what it means. Understanding this relationship can help you understand what speed means in terms of collecting light, whether it be for visual or photographic purposes. This knowledge base can help you make more informed decisions when acquiring new gear, as well as help you understand the gear you may already have. Whether your scope is fast or slow, now you'll better understand what's in your hands.
This Month's Club Observing Focus
Be sure to visit "What's Up?" on the Observation page to download this month's Visual Observers Guide, prepared by veteran observer Dave Holt. Thanks, Dave!
Community Events
Our observing programs will be sure to delight you! Check the Event Calendar for dates, times, registration information for these family friendly opportunities.
Public Observing Nights at Addison Oaks
The sky is amazing when viewed through our 17½" Dob or our 14" SCT Telescope. To be notified of viewing opportunities, fill out the Outreach Guest List Form.
In the News
For Astronomy News Highlights, see January 2025.
Beyond our Community
Ordinary people using a cell phone or computer can be NASA Citizen Scientists! Many hands lighten the load! Volunteers contribute huge amounts of research assistance to NASA every day. Check out these opportunities for Citizen Scientists.
Business Meeting
All club meetings are open meetings. Business meetings are usually held on the Wednesday preceding the monthly meeting. Fill out the Meeting Invitation Form for an invitation.
We hope your experience on our website is enjoyable and informative.
Who are we? Well, apart from our mission statement below
- We are based in Southeast Michigan's Oakland County.
- We operate a semi-dark sky observing site at Addison Oaks County Park, which is the home of the club's 17½" dobsonian and 14" SCT telescopes.
- We put on educational programs for local schools, parks, and other organizations, including Star Parties!
- Membership is open to anyone with an interest in Astronomy. You don't need to own optical equipment to join - everyone from complete beginners to grizzled veterans are most certainly welcome!
- We have meetings at 7:00 PM on the second Sunday of every month except May, open to all interested parties, for the exchange of knowledge, information, and interesting discussions concering all aspects of Astronomy. Meetings are held at the Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve in Rochester, Michigan. (Directions)
We all look forward to seeing you at the next club function!
Interested in becoming a member? Fill out the Membership Form to request more free information or contact us (About Us)
The Oakland Astronomy Club, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the following registered purpose:
"To provide astronomical education through ownership and operation of facilities for the benefit of the general public, both youth and adult; to make available instructors for the conduct of seminars and class room education, which shall be available to other institutions of learning, public and private, as well as programs for the general public; to do research and study in the science of astronomy; to receive, administer and disburse funds for the furtherance of its educational purposes as well as for other charitable, philanthropic and scientific purposes for the public good and welfare and for no other purposes."