Watch for 2005 Astronomy Series dates coming soon!

Montana Natural History Center is proud to partner with  the Western Montana Astronomical Association!

The Western Montana Astronomical Association welcomes all viewers to their informative public presentations. WMAA members help novices of any age learn more about the cosmos.

Public presentations and stargazing take place at Fort Missoula.
Club members hold monthly meetings ½ hour prior to presentation. Donations are appreciated.

Western Montana Astronomical Association's Mission...
... is to increase our own appreciation of the night sky and to share that interest with the others who live in Montana.
We feel that stars, planets, galaxies, etc. have just as much aesthetic appeal as the surrounding mountains, streams, and rivers. We are in danger of losing them all without great public awareness and involvement.

To learn more, visit the Western Montana Astronomical Association Club

2004 ASTRONOMY SERIES
Watch for 2005 Astronomy Series dates coming soon!

Saturday, March 20 - 7:30 pm
Exploring the Solar System presented by Mike Hawkaluk
Mike is an experienced astronomer and a member of Mission Valley Astronomy Club as well as a long time member of Western Montana Astronomy Association.

Saturday, April 17th - 9:00pm 
If weather OR if sky conditions do not permit viewing, there will be a back up program on May 22nd starting at 10:00 pm.  Western Montana Astronomical Association will be presenting the first of two public viewing programs for the Missoula City Parks and Recreation. This program will be at the Fort Missoula complex on South Avenue West across from Big Sky High School. The viewing will be general views of the sky, or whatever scope owner would like to look at or request by the public. 

Saturday, April 24 - 3:00 pm
Phyllis Bookbinder, a local authority on light pollution in the surrounding area, will conduct a slide show and discussion on how the Association can become involved. 

Saturday, April 24 - 9:30 pm
Earth's Natural Satellite "The Moon" presented by Bill Elison.
Bill is a very experienced astronomer and one of the Founding members of the Western Montana Astronomy Association. Bill is also a member of the Mission Valley Astronomy Club.

Saturday, May 15 - 9:30 pm
Galaxies and Galactic Structures presented by John Mandler
John, a retired nuclear physicist, will present an interesting program for the general public and astronomy buffs alike.

Saturday, June 19 - 10:00 pm
Earth's Nearest Star; the Sun presented by Matt and Klyle Crawford
Matt and his son Klyle will discuss daily sun activities that affect us on Earth.

Saturday, September 11th - 9:00pm 
Viewing same as above. There will be no back up program for this event.
Western Montana Astronomical Association will be presenting the second of two public viewing programs for the Missoula City Parks and Recreation. This program will be at the Fort Missoula complex on South Avenue West across from Big Sky High School. The viewing will be general views of the sky, or whatever scope owner would like to look at or request by the public.

Saturday, Sept 18 - 8:30 pm
Astronomy Humor (The Universe and Stuff in it) presented by Johnny Larson and Bill Lawrenson.Johnny and Bill are both Stuff Experts. (Questions and answers about all the stuff over head) There will also be a discussion of myths about bad astronomy, the Moon, naming of stars and other untrue "facts" of astronomy.

Saturday, Oct 16 - 7:30 p.m.
Buying and Using Binoculars and Telescopes presented by Lynn Springer and Leonard Lahaye. Both Lynn and Leonard are very experienced astronomers; Lynn also works in the optical field. Leonard is president to the Mission Valley Astronomy Club, also a member of Western Montana Astronomy Association. Lynn is a member of both Mission Valley and Western Montana Astronomy Clubs.

Saturday, Nov 20 - 7:00 pm
Radio Astronomy presented by Jerry Rude.
Jerry is a very experienced astronomy and one of the original members of The Western Montana Astronomy Association. Jerry is also a member of the Mission Valley Astronomy Club. Radio astronomy and related astronomy methods are extensively used in astronomy research. Jerry is also very experienced at finding objects in the sky by using a star-hopping method.