Hemlock Crossing Public Observatory
The observatory is open to the public on Friday evenings throughout the year whenever viewing conditions allow. Dress appropriately as the temperature inside the observatory will match the outside ambient temperature. Night sky tour includes: visible planets, the Moon, galaxies, star clusters and planetary nebulae. When viewing conditions call for overcast skies, chance of rain or snow, the viewing session will be canceled.
Club Meetings
Club meetings are open to the public. They occur at 7pm on the second Thursday of the month throughout the school year (September – May). Meetings are held in the planetarium at Macatawa Bay School 3700 140th Avenue, Holland, Michigan. There are no club meetings in the summer months (June – July – August).
Click here for directions to Macatawa Bay School.
Lectures at Hemlock Crossing
SAAA presents informational and educational lectures at Hemlock Crossing inside the Nature Education Center on the first Saturday of the month. Programs are followed by public observatory sessions accompanied by member’s telescopes. The goal is to have fun while learning.
2025 Lecture Schedule
| Date | Time | Title | Presenter |
| Jan 4 | 7 pm | Lecture: Europa Mission | Mike Cortright |
| Feb 1 | 7 pm | Lecture: James Webb Telescope | Mike Long |
| Mar 1 | 7 pm | Lecture: Telescope Clinic | Various Members |
| Apr 5 | 7 pm | Lecture: Spring and Summer Sky | Karl Rijkse |
| May 3 | 7 pm | Lecture: Lunar and Solar Eclipses | Peter Burkey |
| Jun 7 | dusk | Observatory: Public Night | SAAA Members |
| Jul 5 | dusk | Observatory: Public Night | SAAA Members |
| Aug 2 | dusk | Observatory: Public Night | SAAA Members |
| Sep 6 | 7 pm | Lecture: Fall and Winter Sky | Frank Roldan |
| Oct 4 | 7 pm | Lecture: Comets, Asteroids and Meteors | Barry Schoenfelner |
| Nov 1 | 7 pm | Lecture: Life Cycle of Stars | Jim Reier |
