We are still holding our scheduled open house at Stargate, as we have to by our agreement with the park. We are strongly encouraging members to attend this multi-club event, to meet some of the members of other Metro Detroit clubs, and to build stronger relationships among amateur astronomers in the region.

The Ford Amateur Astronomy Club is using their August 29th Beginner’s Night at Island Lake Recreation Area (at the Spring Mill Pond site) as a multi-club picnic and observing session. In addition to the Ford Club, members of the WAS, the Seven Ponds Astronomy Club, and the Oakland Astronomy Club will be attending. It's going to be a great event, full of great conversation, people, and observing. We hope you can attend.

They are providing hamburgers and hotdogs. Please bring your own drinks, and, if you like, a dish to pass. Bring your own chairs, blankets, and tables as well. The Beginner’s Nights normally begin at 7 pm, so we want to start the picnic around 5 pm, since we may have people coming by after 7 pm who want some help with their telescopes.

Island Lake Recreation Area is a state park so a state park vehicle permit ($6 daily) will be needed if you don't have an annual pass.

Detailed directions courtesy of Jon Blum:
The site is on Kensington Road, but the bridge over I-96 on Kensington is closed for repairs, so you have to get off of I-96 one exit earlier, and take Grand River to Kensington Road. Here are the details of how to get there.

• Take I-696 west to I-96. Go west on I-96.
  
• Get off of I-96 at exit 153 Kent Lake Road.
  
• At the exit ramp, you want to go "toward South Lyon"
  
• Turn left (south) onto Kent Lake Road.
  
• Go about one-tenth of a mile, crossing the I-96 expressway, and turn right (west) onto Grand River.
  
• Go 1.8 mile on Grand River to Kensington Road.
  
• Turn Left (south) onto Kensington Road.
  
• Go about one-tenth of a mile on Kensington Road to Island Lake entrance on the left, and there turn left into Island Lake Recreation Area.
  
• A short ways inside the entrance, you will come to a toll booth.
  
• Pay $6 per car park entrance fee.
  
• Immediately after you leave the toll booth, turn right.
  
• Go 2.6 miles on the road winding through the park.
  
• After going under the railroad overpass, then the second entrance on the left is Spring Mill Pond.
  
• The sign for Spring Mill Pond is small and on the right, even though the entrance is on the left.
  
• Turn left into Spring Mill Pond and follow short road to the parking lot by the lake.
  

On observing nights, we usually stay as long as the skies are clear and there are interested observers - usually around midnight, but on nice nights even later.

You don't have to stay the whole time - though we ask that you aim your headlights away from the observing field in case you have to leave early. Feel free to email us if you have any questions.

We only require a few things for your safety and enjoyment:

• Astronomical twilight will begin around 10 PM, so please plan to be at the observatory earlier. Be careful with headlights on your way in, especially after sundown. Make sure to turn the dome lights off if possible, and park your car facing away from the observing field if you have running lights.
  
• Please don't use white light flashlights when others are observing. Others will have flashlights, but if you'd like to bring your own, you can easily make a red-light flashlight that will help you get around in the dark and is safe for night vision. I make reasonably decent ones with a red marker and an index card*, but you can read other ideas here.
  
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted.

Other advice to help you make the most of your evening:

• Weather, especially in Michigan, is unpredictable. We are always (some might say irrationally) hopeful, but if there's a solid chance of an extended downpour we are not likely to do any observing! If you're not sure about the weather, call Bob Berta, Marty Kunz, or Jonathan Kade to check if the open house has been canceled.
  
• Observing is an outside activity, so dress accordingly - a little warmer than the temperature would indicate. Even in the summer, it can get surprisingly chilly at night. Like any other activity, the key to lasting is layers, layers, layers! In the wintertime and early spring, plan to wear at least two layers of every garment: socks, pants, and a shirt. Core temperature is important too, so pay extra attention to keeping your torso warm - an insulated vest can work wonders.

  If there's something specific you'd like to see, we'll do our best to make it happen. We have safe, filtered solar telescopes to look at the sun in ]amazing detail before it gets dark; if you're interested in seeing our local star, let us know and we'll try to make a solar telescope available.

  * Take a cheap drugstore flashlight - preferably not too bright to start with. The omnipresent Eveready $1 plastic flashlight works well. Screw off the plastic cap and pop out the clear plastic "lens" (aka bezel). You can paint the bezel with translucent nail polish, use a red permanent marker, or red cellophane. For better light blocking, you can trace the disk on a sheet of white paper or an index card. Cut out the disk of paper, line it up with the bezel, and screw the cap back on.