GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association (GRAAA) jointly announce the 2026 James C. Veen Observatory public observing nights schedule and plans for a screening of the documentary Apollo 1. The organizations invite community members to join them at these events to celebrate astronomy and the exploration of our universe.
Public observing nights at the James C. Veen Observatory begin Saturday, April 25, which coincides with both Michigan Statewide Astronomy Night and International Astronomy Day. For this special opening event, the Observatory will be open free of charge from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. regardless of sky conditions, though observing through telescopes could be limited, depending on cloud cover.
The James C. Veen Observatory will be open on selected Saturday evenings through October for the observation of a variety of celestial objects, sky and weather conditions permitting. The Observatory has multiple permanently mounted telescopes, which on public nights are augmented with member-owned instruments set up on the surrounding grounds. Visitors can also view an audio-visual presentation introducing the facility and celestial objects currently visible.
Dates have been selected to favorably align with optimum moon phases, and are posted for the entire season at www.graaa.org/upcoming-events. Veen Observatory is located at 3308 Kissing Rock Ave. in Lowell Township. Visit GRAAA.org for more images, a map to the Observatory, and information about making an appointment for a group visit to the facility.
Public observing nights after April 25th will be canceled in the event of cloudiness. Status updates are posted at GRAAA.org and at 616-897-7065 no later than 6:30 p.m. on the date of each scheduled event. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 3-17, and free to children under the age of 5. GRPM and GRAAA members receive free admission. Cash is appreciated, though checks and some credit cards are also accepted.
Some wait times should be expected; later arrival during summer months ensures a darker sky for observing and shorter wait times.
In addition, The GRPM will host a screening of Apollo 1: A Feature Documentary in their Meijer Theater at 7:00 p.m. in partnership with GRAAA on Wednesday, April 29. This documentary offers new and comprehensive account of the circumstances leading up to the tragic spacecraft fire in 1967 that took the lives of three astronauts. The film will be introduced by its award winning creater, Mark Craig. The event is free and open to the public. Free tickets can be reserved now on the GRPM’s website.
Apollo 1: A Feature Documentary is a personalized account of Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Grand Rapids native Roger Chaffee’s experience coming together as pioneers in America’s effort to reach the moon. Events that led to their loss in a tragic spacecraft fire while training and all that followed left a lasting impact on the country, their families, and future space missions.
British producer/director Mark Craig has an impressive resume as a cinematographer. He points to this latest production as both one of his most challenging and rewarding. He was granted exceptional access to archival material and personal interviews with family members and colleagues of the pioneering astronauts. He will be here in person to relate some of his experiences prior to the film showing. Further details about the presentation can be found at the Museum’s website grpm.org/calendar.
