CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Chicago Astronomical Society is a proud member of the
The Astronomical League, a national organization of over 240 Societies.
For more information, go to the Astronomical League website here

CAS-Sponsored Public Observing Sessions, 2019
 ( The indoor portion of these meetings is Rain or Shine; stargazing with telescopes is weather permitting. )

Join us for a FREE evening under the stars at our next Public Observing Session.  If you have a telescope or a pair of binoculars, feel free to bring them along, and participate in the observing with us.
*If you need some help or instructions on setting up your telescope, bring it to one of our sessions below and we will try to help you as time permits.
 Observing " DOs & DONT'S "
 * NO WHITE LIGHT! Please use a RED LED FLASHLIGHT or cover your flashlight with RED CELLOPHANE .
* Flash photography is NOT permitted while we are observing.
* If you bring your young family members with, please be sure they are adequately supervised.  No running or horseplay is permitted .  Our astronomers have expensive and delicate equipment.
*Please use the trash-cans in the parks (let's leave the parks as clean as we found it, or better!).
*We are NOT allowed to walk down park trails at night. Please stay in the observing areas only!
 ( Protocols courtesy Jeff Benuzzi )

  1. Cernan Earth and Space Center   Saturday Skywatch events at Triton College , 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove;
    Dates and topics are subject to change.
    Please call the Cernan Center at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3372 for more information.
    Unless otherwise noted all Cernan monthly Skywatch events except June/July start with an indoor program at 7:30 (admission fee) followed by free observing outside if clear enough. June/July events start at 8:00 pm.

    Date Featured Telescope Targets
    September 14, 2019 Moon,
    Coathanger Cluster,
    Perseus Double Cluster
    October 12, 2019 Moon,
    Andromeda Galaxy
    November 9, 2019 Moon,
    Andromeda Galaxy,
    Pleiades
    December 14, 2019 Moon,
    Orion Nebula,
    Pleiades

    Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
    Stargazing at Kemil Beach
    Join members of the Chicago Astronomical Society with their telescopes to introduce the night skies to visitors at the Kemil Beach access area. In celebration of the National Park Service centennial birthday and the fiftieth birthday of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, every third Saturday of the month through November of 2017, telescopes of epic proportions will be on hand to view our night skies.

    The Kemil Beach access area is located one mile north and three miles east of the Indiana Dunes visitor center. The visitor center is located at the intersection of US Hwy 20 and US Hwy. 49 north of Chesterton, Indiana. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu .

    The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is one of 408 units of the National Park System ranging from Yellowstone to the Statue of Liberty. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore includes 15 miles of the southern shoreline of Lake Michigan and 15,000 acres of beach, woods, marshes, and prairie in the northwest corner of Indiana. More than 2 million visitors come to this national park each year. Check our Facebook page at induquestions@gmail.com

    Little Red School House
      9800 South 104 Ave., Willow Springs.

    Join us for a FREE evening under the stars at our next Public Observing & Lecture Session.
    If you have a telescope or a pair of binoculars, feel free to bring them along, and participate in the observing with us!
    *     If you need some help or instruction on setting up your telescope, bring it to one of our sessions below and we will try to help you as time permits.

    Light Pollution - Losing the Night Sky
    September 14, 2019, 7 - 11 PM
     Evening Highlights: Moon, Coathanger Cluster, Perseus Double Cluster
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    Constellation Mythology
    October 12, 2019, 7-11 PM
     Evening Highlights: Moon, Andromeda Galaxy, ET Cluster.
         - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    Little Red School House Public Observing

    *     DOs & DON'Ts *
         * NO WHITE LIGHT! Please use a Red LED flashlight or cover your flashlight with Red Cellophane.
     * Flash photography is NOT permitted while we are observing.
    * If you bring your young family members with, please be sure that they are adequately supervised. No running or horseplay is permitted; our astronomers have expensive and delicate equipment .
    * Please use the trash-cans in the park ( let's leave the park as clean as we found it, or better! )
    * We are NOT allowed to walk down any of the trails at night,     please stay in the observing area only!

    Spring Valley Nature Center
    1111 E. Schaumburg Rd. (between Plum Grove Rd. and Meachem Rd.) , Schaumberg, IL, 847-985-2100
     Spring Valley is outdoor if OK but indoor if not.

    Enjoy a star-studded party celebrating the beautiful summer sky and the Perseid Meteor shower. Several telescopes will be set up around the Nature Center to view the summer constellations. Lots of additional star-related activities will take place inside. You’re guaranteed to have a great time!

    The CAS is among the sponsors for these free telescope observing sessions at various sites. Everyone is welcome to attend.  This is a wonderful opportunity for boy and girl scout groups or school groups.  If you ever wanted to view the night sky through a telescope then pick a date from above.

    Other CAS Outreach Events:

  2. Astrofest
  3. Other Events of Interest: