This week, get out into the city of Chicago to try some stargazing with friendly astronomers, explore the cosmos at a museum, or join in on an activity that might ignite a new passion for the night sky. Take advantage of the last of our warm summer days and spend your evenings getting to know the night sky.
Here is your Chicago guide to what’s happening in space this week.
Scopes in the City: Warrenville Public Library, Wednesday, August 7th, 7:30-8:30 pm
The Adler Planetarium hosts casual observing sessions for the public at locations all around the city. Astronomers will be on hand with telescopes and ready to answer questions. More information here: Warrenville Scopes Event Page
Public Stargazing with the Naperville Astronomical Association, Thursday, August 8th, dusk – 10 pm
Meet members of the Naperville Astronomical Association at one of their weekly public stargazing events. Telescopes are set up on the Riverwalk, near the Dandelion Fountain for the public to view objects in the night sky. This event is weather permitting so watch the club’s Facebook page for updates: NAA on Facebook
Moon Over Vernon Hills, Aspen Library, Thursday, August 8th, 7-9 pm
Join the Lake County Astronomical Society for their Astronomy Under City Lights event where club members and telescopes are focused on moon observing, as well as other night sky objects. More information here: LAS event page
Scopes in the City: Coleman Branch Public Library, Friday, August 9th, 1-2:30 pm
This special daytime observing session with astronomers from The Adler Planetarium will focus on solar observation. More information here: Coleman Branch Scopes Event Page
Greene Valley Forest Preserve Stargazing Night, Friday, August 9th, 8 pm- midnight
The Naperville Astronomical Association is hosting another public stargazing session, this time at a slightly darker location. This event is free and open to the public, but weather permitting so watch the club’s Facebook page for updates: NAA on Facebook
Public Observing at Dearborn Observatory, Friday, August 9th, 10-11 pm
Every Friday night the Dearborn Observatory, astronomers and students operating the telescope give the public the chance to observe objects in the night sky. These nights are popular so make sure to show up early if you want the chance to view through the observatory’s telescope. More information here: Dearborn Observatory
French Picnic Under the Stars, Cantigny, Saturday, August 10th, 6-11 pm
Cantigny Park is hosting a special starry night event as part of their popular French Connection Day. Come out to explore the beauty of the gardens at Cantigny, enjoy an evening picnic, and join astronomers from the Naperville Astronomical Association for stargazing. Live music, a lecture on the basics of stargazing, and other activities are planned for this special evening. Admission prices and more information here: Cantigny Event Page
Cernan Monthly Skywatch, Cernan Earth and Space Center, Saturday, August 10th, 7 pm
The astronomers at Cernan host a monthly update on everything happening in astronomy, space exploration, and the night sky. Be sure to stick around for the free public observation session that immediately follows if the weather is nice. Tickets and event information here: Monthly Skywatch
Cernan Star Party, Cernan Earth and Space Center, Saturday, August 10th, 8 pm
The Chicago Astronomical Society and the staff at Cernan Earth and Space Center join together to introduce the public to the night sky. This event is entirely weather permitting, so be sure to check the event page for updates.
Perseid Meteor Shower, August 11-13, late evening
Stay up late overnight to catch the Perseid meteor shower, which will reach its peak Sunday night through Tuesday morning. Drive out to the darkest area you can find, with little to no lights on, and look up. During peak hours, around 2 to 3 am you should be able to watch many meteors streak as they burn up into the atmosphere.
Coming up
Archaeology from Space: Writing the Past and the Future, American Writers Museum, Tuesday, Aug 13th, 6:30-8:30 pm
The American Writers Museum and the Adler Planetarium are hosting an evening discussion based on the work of Dr Sarah Parcak and Lucianne Walkowicz. The two will discuss space archaeology and how we view ourselves and Earth from space. This is a ticketed event so it is important to plan ahead. More information here: Archaeology from Space Event
August Meeting of the Chicago Astronomical Association, Cernan Earth and Space Center, Tuesday, August 13th, 12-2 pm
Plan ahead for the August meeting of the Chicago Astronomical Association. NAA member, Dr. Susan Wilson will give a lecture on the making of giant telescope mirrors. More information here: CAS Event Page
Free Admission Day at The Field Museum, Wednesday, August 14th, 9 am-5 pm
Plan ahead for one of The Field Museum’s last free days happening before school begins. More information here: Field Event Page
2019 Darsh Wasan Lecture with Ellen Ochoa, Illinois Institute of Technology, Friday, September 13th, 3pm
Ellen Ochoa, Former Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and the first Hispanic woman astronaut will deliver this year’s Darsh Wasan Lecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology. RSVP here: Event Page
Filed under: This Week In Space, Urban Astronomy Guide
Tags: Adler Planetarium, Cernan Earth and Space, field museum, stargazing, This week in space
