Great Lakes Treasure: The Transit of Venus will be featured at the general meeting of the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society (KAS) on Friday, April 17, at 7:00 p.m. Details are online at http://www.kasonline.org/schedule.html#apr.  The talk (by this author) will introduce the historical significance of the transit of Venus and the modern role of the transit method in the quest to find exoplanets.  We will review the 2004 transit of Venus experience and discuss the collection of events occurring in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan (dubbed Michiana) in anticipation of the June 5 celestial event. 

The KAS has an integral role in providing telescope viewing opportunities for the public, with the club setting up a variety of gear June 5 at Warren Dunes State Park overlooking Lake Michigan.  They also will have scopes set up during the May 20 solar eclipse at sunset.

On May 4, 2012, Dr. Eli Maor, author of the book Venus in Transit, will present his perspective to the KAS.