FAAC Homepage -- Ford Amateur Astronomy Club

Welcome to our Michigan,
National, and International
visitors.

Join our Ford Amateur Astronomy Club:Fill out this form, mail it in or bring it to our next meeting.

You are invited to these
Upcoming Events:
General Membership Meetings @ 5:30 PM
Click on "Club Informaiton" on the left for details.
The 2012 Meeting Schedule 
FAAC General Meetings    Imaging SIG Meetings   
May 24, 2012  			May 10, 2012
June 28, 2012  			June 14, 2012
July 26, 2012  			July 12, 2012
August 23, 2012   		August 09, 2012
September 27, 2012  		September 13, 2012
October 25, 2012  		October 11, 2012
Nov – No General Meeting 	November 8, 2012
December - 6, 2012  		December 13, 2012 
       
Beginner's Nights (2012 Beginner's Nights dates within "Current Attractions" at left)

Our MISSION

The Ford Amateur Astronomy Club (FAAC), meets in Dearborn, Michigan (48126) and was established in 1992 as a non-profit astronomy club within the Ford Employees Recreational Association (FERA) of Ford Motor Company. Currently, new members do not need to be Ford employees as membership is open to all astronomy enthusiasts.

FAAC is dedicated to encouraging the study of Astronomy and related subjects for the benefit of its members and the general public. The club presently has over 160 members with a wide variety of keen interests ranging from simple naked-eye sky gazing to observing Messier and deep-sky objects, variable star observing, the use of computers with astronomy, and astro imaging.

General Meetings are open to the public and are held monthly in Dearborn at Henry Ford Community College (HFCC).

Beginner's Nights allow you to bring your telescope to a local site before dusk and learn more about it...OR...to talk to others about their equipment before you buy your first set of binocular or telescope, or more equipment. This is HIGHLY! recommended!!

Be sure to ask questions -- don't be shy! We're not mind readers (that's some other club :D); we are eager to help you to learn easily and not make the same mistakes we may have. Ask!

We have a productive Mentoring Program for members at all levels of proficiency from beginner newb to expert.

Why Join An Astronomy Club

1st To learn about amateur astronomy and observing techniques. A great way to learn how to observe the heavens is to do it yourself, and our club provides both the training and opportunity.

2nd To interface with others who share your interest in a particular field of astronomy. The best way to learn how to observe the heavens is to do it with the aid of a more experienced observer. Our Copernicus Mentoring program helps everyone learn from the more experienced among us.

3rd To enjoy the social aspect of observing and meeting. Our membership consists of people from all walks of life: from students to medical doctors; ; from enginers and retired engineers to business owners; who all enjoy the beauty and mystery of the cosmos. Our monthly meetings, observing sessions, and annual banquet provide an excellent way to socialize and meet new people.

We have two active Special Interest Groups: the Astro Imaging SIG and the The Hector J Robinson Observatory (HJRO) SIG.

HJRO is part of the Lincoln Park School System, in Lincoln Park, Michigan. (more HJRO/LPSO photos) and here.

 NOW INSTALLED! and being tweaked (on clear nights!) 
    is the new 14" Celestron SCT on a Losmandy Titan mount 
    with Gemini GoTo!!! Watch here for public shows, coming 
    Summer 2012.<<<

Planetarium
Our astronomers staff the newly remodled (2012) and more comfortable Dearborn HFCC Hammond Planetarium with weekly star shows (see list below), Tuesday nights at 7:15PM, and Saturday afternoons at 3:00pm.

The planetarium seats 38 people, and admission is free: no reservations -- seating is first-come only. In the event of an overflow, the planetarium presenter will often offer a show 1 hour later if there are no scheduling conflicts (not always possible.).

Along with a seasonal slide show our avid astronomers discuss the stars and constellations, moon and planets, and answer questions.

FAAC's current, active qualified Planetarium volunteer operators include:
Dennis Salliotte, Robert Clubb, Larry Halstead, Bob FitzGerald, and Tim Campbell.

Private shows for groups can be scheduled through Steve Murrell.

Planetarium 2012 Show Dates

Shows are Tuesdays and Saturdays now through, and including,
Tuesday May 29.  There are no summer shows (the college 
is closed for the summer).  Look for new shows in the fall.


Tuesday shows begin at 7:30pm (doors open at 7:15)  
Saturday shows begin at 3:00pm (doors open at 2:45) 

Plan to arrive earlier to get a seat!  
The doors close promptly at showtime
For safety reasons, the doors remain closed during 
each presentation

Our Club has a very active FAAC Yahoo! Group site, where you will find news, notifications, and discussions on the latest sky events, the latest member astro photos, observing and astro imaging reports, advice on equipment...all kinds of stuff, in the form of an email forum discussion group between our members. Members are encouraged to join the Y!G (Yahoo! Group) which is open to all FAAC members (you'll have to join FAAC and then signup with a Yahoo! account to use it).

OF INTEREST TO ASTRONOMERS:

Galactic Center of Milky Way Rises Over Texas Star Party 2009

Dearborn

Brighton / Island Lake
Observing Location (Beginners' Nights)

The Ford Amateur Astronomy Club is a proud
Alliance Member of the Meade 4M Community
supported by Meade Telescope,

Welcome to our Michigan, National, and International visitors.

Our MISSION

Why Join An Astronomy Club

U NU /2 24_5:05P_04232011

Welcome to our Michigan,
National, and International
visitors.

U NU /2
24_5:05P_04232011