FAIRBURY, Ill. – Light pollution and busy schedules make it difficult to stop and observe the wonders of the night sky, and opportunities to view our stars, planets and more with trained professionals are rare. Citizen Science reports over the last decade have confirmed a greater difficulty of being able to see stars with the naked eye. Different wavelengths of light from various technologies of modern convenience often light up the night sky and reduce our ability to observe it. Pencil in a night of star gazing before the starlight fades out.

University of Illinois Extension Grand Prairie Master Naturalists are partnering with Twin City Amateur Astronomy (TCAA) to host a night of star gazing at Fugate Woods Forest Preserve, in Fairbury, IL. Coinciding with a meteor shower, this free event takes place August 15 from 7:30 – 10 PM.

Paul Pouliot, longtime member of TCAA, will guide participants through the night sky landscape. Occurring on the night of a new moon – meaning the moon is not visible in the sky and starlight seems brighter– observers will gain the month’s clearest view of night phenomena. August 15 also coincides with the Perseid meteor shower – which occurs July 17 to August 24. The meteor shower should be quite active. The greatest level of activity is expected to peak two nights before the program.

Twin City Amateur Astronomy (TCAA), a Bloomington-Normal astronomy organization, was founded to support education and understanding of natural events and observations of the night sky. Their routine events are open to organization members and the general public. With an observation base at Sugar Grove Nature Center, TCAA looks to partner organizations for additional opportunities and locations to share their passion for the night sky.

To reach Fugate Woods, from Fairbury, travel North on 1st St out of town (North 1st turns into N 2150 E Rd). Travel 1 mile on N 2150 E Rd and turn right onto E 1000 N Rd. Travel 2 miles and turn right into Fugate Woods. The entrance has a gate and the driveway is grassy. If you reach N 2400 E Rd, you have driven past Fugate Woods. Meet at the Boy Scout Pavilion within Fugate Woods.

Prepare for the event with a lawn chair, blanket, bug spray, and flashlight. There is no on-site bathroom facility. This is a family friendly event. Please register at go.illinois.edu/lmwevents. For questions, call the office at 309-663-8306.

Visiting the program on August 15 is an opportunity to discover the many facets of our night sky. Join us to learn more about constellations and planetary science, as well as the wonders of annual meteor showers. Thank you to Twin City Amateur Astronomers and University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists for donating their time and knowledge to public education. If you will need an accommodation in order to participate, please email kgree6@illinois.edu . Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

SOURCE: Kayla Green, Extension Program Coordinator

WRITER: Nick Frillman, University of Illinois Extension Local Foods Small Farms Educator