GRAND RAPIDS AMATEUR ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION
JAMES C. VEEN OBSERVATORY
85° 24' 13" +42° 54' 16"
The Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association takes pride in its James C. Veen Observatory near Lowell, Michigan, a multifaceted educational and research facility named after the co-founder and first president of the GRAAA. It houses three permanently mounted astronomical telescopes and several portable instruments, all available (with some age based restrictions) to members following appropriate orientation. The observatory was constructed primarily by GRAAA members over five years, with support from community foundations and the Grand Rapids Public Museum. It became fully operational in 1970. The building consists of 2 Ash Domes, which contain the following equipment:
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West (large) Dome:
East (small) Dome:
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There is also a 17-inch Dobsonian located on the grounds for general viewing purposes, and a Lunt hydrogen-alpha telescope is available for solar observing.
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The Observatory has a large meeting room, an extensive library, and an audio-visual system for presentations to both GRAAA members and the public.
