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Sky Observing

Public observing educator with Space for Everyone t-shirt standing by as a child with a lemon dress looks through a telescope on the observing terrace.

Look Up with the Adler!

Have you ever had a chance to look through a telescope before? Telescope observing is an experience unlike any other. Some have gasped when seeing something through the eyepiece they have never seen before while some have actually cried. What was your first experience seeing a planet, a nebulae, or other celestial object through a telescope? Haven’t had your first experience yet? Come along and let the Adler be your guide.

Did you know that the very first astronomers used only their eyes to make observations of the night sky? Launching into astronomy, especially sky watching, doesn’t have to be a significant investment of time and money. If you’re not sure where to start, then you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re interested in our plethora of sky observing opportunities or you want to get involved with the astronomy community, this page will be a guide to your venture into our universe.

Here’s where you can find us:

LOOK UP WITH US AT THE ADLER

’SCOPES AT THE ADLER

LOOK UP WITH US IN A NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR YOU

’SCOPES IN THE CITY

LOOK UP WITH US WHEREVER YOU ARE

SKY OBSERVERS HANGOUT SKYWATCH WEDNESDAY

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to jump into astronomy, the Adler’s #LookUp Book is designed to ease new skywatchers into the wonderful world of astronomy.

Thanks To Our Sponsors And Donors

A special thank you to the Founding Donor of our public observing programs, The Petrovich Family

MORE INFORMATION

How to Get Involved in the Community

Astronomy Clubs

Local astronomy clubs are a great way to get started in sky watching! Most astronomy clubs also have regular “star parties” where members can get together and set up telescopes of all shapes and sizes. This is a great opportunity to see objects in the sky, see if you like the hobby, and see how things look through different telescopes.

A list of astronomy clubs in the Chicago area:

Check Out This List of Other Astronomy Groups in the Chicago area!

Dark Sky Parks

You don’t need to travel around the world to get a glimpse of the Milky Way. Dark sky parks are designated areas that restrict artificial light pollution, making it possible to see the vivid beauty of the night sky—firsthand!

For an easy adventure, Chicagoans can get their own dark sky fix just two hours away from downtown Chicago. Illinois’ only official dark sky park, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, gives visitors nightly access to the park’s dark skies.

Telescopes: What Am I Looking For? Where Do I Buy One?

Wondering which telescope is right for you? Check out this video that our Adler Teen Interns created!

Choosing a Telescope

Telescope Borrowing Programs

Not sure if you’re ready to purchase a telescope? No problem! Telescope borrowing programs are a really good way to go if you want to see how interested you are before investing the money in a telescope of your own. Visit librarytelescope.org  to find out if your public library has telescopes for patrons to borrow. Remember, most, if not all, libraries will only allow patrons with library cards for their specific local library or district to check out resources such as telescopes. 

Not sure of the lending rules? Contact your local library to inquire. Don’t see your town’s library listed? Check back at the site in a few months. More libraries may have been added to the database in the meantime. Also, let your library know if you have suggestions for resources to borrow. They will appreciate the friendly feedback!

Ask Adler

Have an astronomy question? Ask Adler is your way to connect directly with Adler astronomers.

Visit the Ask Adler webpage!

Volunteer at the Adler

Volunteers are a vital presence at the Adler, helping carry out the mission of the museum by directly engaging with guests or assisting behind-the-scenes.

Become a volunteer

Light Pollution Projects at the Adler

Mission NiteLite (Night Imaging of Terrestrial Environments) is a part of the Far Horizons program, and was launched to forward our understanding of light pollution. This project is led by teams of students, volunteers, and scientists working together.

Find out more about Mission NiteLite and Far Horizons

Adler Sky Observing 101 Guides

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