Cernan Space Center

  •  Cernan Earth and Space Center 

    Monthly Skywatch (with telescope viewing)

    One Saturday night each month, take a voyage to explore the cosmos! The Cernan Earth and Space Center's Monthly Skywatch brings you the excitement of the current nighttime sky; the latest discoveries in astronomy, space science and Earth science; and (if weather permits) the opportunity to observe the moon, planets and other wonders of the sky through telescopes set up on the lawn outside the building. Telescopes are provided by volunteers from the Chicago Astronomical Society and Cernan Center staff members. 
     
    Please note: Because the Monthly Skywatch presents scientific information at a more advanced level than our regular shows, we recommend it only for persons 13 years and older. 

    Admission for Monthly Skywatches:
    $8   Adults
    $4   Children 2 to 12/Senior citizens 55 and over
    free   Children under 2
    free   Triton College students w/current semester I.D. (courtesy of TCSA)

    The following are the dates and topics for upcoming Monthly Skywatches, which are presented on Saturday evenings beginning at 7:30 p.m., except for our June and July Monthly Skywatches, which now start at 8 p.m. Dates and topics are subject to change. Please call the Cernan Center at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3372, for more information. 

    Plants wose names are shown in boldface type are at their best viewing position of the year this month.
     
     
    2014 Dates Featured Object(s)
    January 11 Jupiter (at its best), Moon (86% lit)
    February 8 Jupiter, Moon (72% lit)
    March 15 Jupiter, Moon (100% lit)
    April 5 Mars (at its best), Jupiter, Moon (38% lit)
    May 3 Mars, Jupiter, Saturn (at its best), Moon (23% lit)
    June 7 Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Moon (71% lit)
    July 5 Mars, Saturn, Moon (56% lit)
    August 2 Mars, Saturn, Moon (40% lit)
    September 6 Mars, Saturn, Moon (94% lit)
    October 4 Moon (84% lit)
    November 1 Moon (72% lit)
    November 29 Moon (58% lit)
     

    The Cernan Earth and Space Center also hosts special observing sessions when major celestial events occur, such as eclipses and bright comets. The Chicago Astronomical Society sponsors their own series of public observing sessions at several metropolitan locations. Call the Cernan Center at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3372, for more information.