U of M Physics professor speaks at astronomy association meeting

Universtiy of Michigan physics professor Fred Adams was the guest speaker for the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association's (GRAAA) meeting on May 16, 2013. The GRAAA met at Schuler Books on 28th St.

The presentation lasted for about 45 minutes. There was a brief question and answer period that followed the presentation. Adams discussed the future of the universe.

"I wrote a book about this subject 10 years ago and have updated it to the present time as well," says Adams.

Professor Adams has written three other books as well: "Fine Age of the Universe," "Origins of Existence," and "Cosmic Update." 

"We were expecting about 50 people here tonight," says Dave DeBruyn President of GRAAA. "It looks like there were about 80 to 100 people that came out to hear the speaker tonight."

GRAAA usually tries to have 3 to 4 feature speakers a year at Schuler Books.

"We get our guest speakers from various places. We either get them by recommendation by other astronomy clubs or club members encounters with them, says DeBruyn. "I heard Prefessor Adams speak at another planetarium and recommended him to speak here tonight."

"I came here tonight to hear the guest speaker because I like to learn any thing I can about Astronomy," says Grand Rapidian Dave Berg.

GRAAA is also in contact with the Kalamazoo and Lansing Astronomy clubs. They exchange information with each other to help improve the knowledge about astronomy.

GRAAA Summer meetings will now be held out at the James C. Veen Observatory located at 3308 Kissing Rock Road in Lowell, Michigan. The next open house meeting will be on May 25, 2013 from 9:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. for the public.

For more information about the Grand Rapids Amature Astronomical Association and the James C. Observatory visit the GRAAA website for details: www.graaa.org