WAS 50th Anniversary Celebration!

🚀 The Countdown Is Over — WAS Turns 50 Today!

After five decades of exploring the cosmos, we’re throwing the biggest space party Westport has ever seen — and you’re invited.

📅 Saturday, June 21
🕧 Gates Open at 12:30 PM
📍 Westport Observatory

Join us for a stellar celebration packed with science, surprises, and sky-high fun. Whether you’re a longtime member or a first-time visitor, this is the day to connect, discover, and celebrate 50 years of community-powered astronomy.

🚗 Parking Alert for Saturday’s Event
Parking will be limited, so we highly recommend carpooling. A complimentary golf cart shuttle will run between the lower parking lot at the Aspetuck Health District and the Westport Observatory. If that lot is full, you may need to park on a nearby side street and walk to the shuttle pickup point. Wheelchair tagged vehicles, 1st responders and our delivery vehicles will be the only cars allowed in the Observatory upper lot.

🌟 What’s in Store:

• Raffles & Door Prizes — including astrophotography, telescopes, meteorites & more

• Astrophotography Showcase — stunning images FOR SALE from our talented WAS members

• Silent Auction — one-of-a-kind items you won’t find anywhere else like Lunar and Martian meteorites, private star parties, private one on one astrophotography lessons and more!

• Games & Galactic Challenges — Space Trivia, “Black Hole” Cornhole, and prizes

• Daytime Observing — solar telescopes on the Sun, and views of the Moon and Venus

• Official Ribbon Cutting — help us open two brand-new observatories

• Live Ham Radio Station — on-air demos all day with K1WAS

• Limited Edition WAS Swag — t-shirts, sweatshirts & polos (available one day only!)

• Food & Friends — great eats and even better company

• Board Elections — vote for our 2025–2026 leadership

🎤 Featured Talks:

• Clare Burhenne – Rutgers PhD candidate on Star Formation in the Local Universe

• Serena Diamond, Monica Charmoy & the WAS Student Scientists – Occultation Science in Action

• Phil Harrington – WAS founder reflects on 50 Years of WAS Wonders

• Shannon Calvert – WAS President debuts a bold new theory of gravity

💫 And yes—there are still a few surprises in orbit.

Come celebrate the past, present, and future of the Westport Astronomical Society. We wouldn’t be here without you.

HUGE thanks to our corporate sponsors whose financial support allowed us to have an epic party! Please thank Rotair Aerospace, Charmoy & Charmoy, Direct Advantage Magazine and Mosquito Stop! We are supremely grateful for everything you’ve done for us.

Mark your calendars. Bring the whole family.
This is more than a celebration—it’s a launchpad to the next 50 years of wonder