Astronomy Club of Akron

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Message added: Tue Jul 21 2026 04:07 PM

Astronomy Club of Akron plans to hold DoubleHeader observing events. We plan to open the observatory Wednesday July 22nd from 9pm to 1030pm to observe the first quarter Moon, double stars, nebulae, and star clusters. At our last star party Tom Alexander was showing stargazers Epsilon Lyrae through his six inch Maksutov. We will revisit that observation with the TEC140 matched up with our new TeleVue 4.5mm Delos eyepiece specially ordered to make this observation. The Moon has a complicated orbit that causes it to dramatically change its position in the sky within its monthly cycle when the Moon is near maximum and minimum extremes of its 19 year cycle. The Hopi Indians called the Moon the Foolish Man who runs around with no home. Even though we are almost two years past maximum extreme, we can still view the reason for that Native American saying. On Thursday, the Moon at its highest point in the sky is only 20 degrees above the horizon. Fourteen days later the Moon will be at 76 degrees above the horizon at its highest point. The Moons rising and setting points on the horizon also shift dramatically. So on Wednesday and Thursday, the Moon will not be at the most favorable position in the sky, but it will be at a favorable phase for observation, and the TEC140 will deliver the best view available. We hope to see you there!
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September 20, 2026 - 2PM
ACA Public Lecture Meeting
Dr. Niladri Kar, Stark State College
Citizen Science in Astronomy
Dr. Kar will explain how you can get involved to help classify and analyze data from world renowned observatories, making new discoveries of dwarf planets, asteroids, supernovae and comets. Dr. Kar will share some of the discoveries he made, awaiting confirmation, while analyzing data from Rubin Observatory, NASA's WISE Mission, JWST, and TESS Mission.

All meetings and star parties are open to the public and free of charge.

All meetings are held at the Portage Lakes Kiwanis Civic Center, 725 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron.

All Star Parties and Solar Parties are held at the ACA Observatory site at Portage Lakes State Park 5031 Manchester Rd Akron, OH

2026 Winter Spring Activity Schedule

About The Club

Welcome to the Astronomy Club of Akron (ACA) webpage. The ACA has been a distinguished northeast Ohio organization since 1949. The purpose of the ACA is to further an interest in and promote the study of the subject of Astronomy and related sciences. The ACA will promote public interest in these sciences through the use of lectures, forums, discussion groups, publications, programs, research, instruction, and other relevant educational, scientific and literary activities.

The ACA will educate the general public through monthly programs and star parties. These programs, lectures and events cover such astronomical phenomena as the planets, solar/lunar observing, seasonal constellations, comets, meteor showers, and deep sky objects. The club also offers an annual telescope seminar on the selection, use and care of binoculars, refractors, reflectors, mounts and photographic equipment.

The ACA activities provide opportunities for its general membership to get together and participate in a variety of general astronomy related issues. There are a number of services for members. We have our own observing site and club telescope located in Portage Lakes State Park. We own a number of telescopes available for use. Many club members donate their time and services to local schools, church groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the YMCA, as well as to the general public. The Astronomy Club of Akron has a program to assist members of your scout group with obtaining their Astronomy Merit Badges. For more information please send an e-mail to our outreach program located on our contacts page.

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in astronomy. No equipment is necessary and no knowledge is needed. There is no age limit! Club meetings, open to the public, are generally on the 3rd Sunday of every month (except June, July, August, and December) at 2:00 PM at the Portage Lakes Kiwanis Civic Center.

The ACA publishes a monthly newsletter, The Night Sky, which contains information on upcoming meetings, observing sessions, and articles by and for members.

About The Club

To contact club officers with questions or comments, please visit our Contacts page Copyright (C)2024 Astronomy Club of Akron, Inc. - a 501(c)3 non-profit organization

To contact club officers with questions or comments, please visit our Contacts page
Copyright (C)2024 Astronomy Club of Akron, Inc. - a 501(c)3 non-profit organization