Information on previous programs can be found here:
http://pinky.bio.aps.anl.gov/NSAwiki/ProgramSchedule

NSA Star Parties (all are open to the public at no cost) 

Saturday, May 19, 2012, 8:00 p.m. at Afton Forest Preserve in DeKalb County, Illinois - The Northwest Suburban Astronomers (NSA), in cooperation with the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District, will be hosting a public star party on Saturday night May 19th at Afton Forest Preserve in DeKalb County, Illinois. This is your opportunity to look at stars, galaxies, nebulae and star clusters with the help of NSA member telescopes. Afton Forest Preserve is located south of  the city of DeKalb, Illinois at 13600 Crego Road (approximately 1 mile south of Perry Road, 4.5 miles south of the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway I-88 and 1 mile east of Illinois Route 23). A location map can be found at this link (site K on map). Some of the observing highlights will be the planets Venus and Mars, globular clusters M3 and M5, galaxies M65 and M66, the constellations Leo and Virgo among others.

Please bring warm clothing (nights can be chilly), insect repellant (if needed), and a flashlight covered with red plastic or cellophane (red light preserves your night vision).

The star party will begin at 8:00 p.m. (sunset is at 8:07 p.m. CDT). You can also come out early and have a picnic and hike the trails. You are welcome to bring your own telescope or binoculars. In the event of inclement weather the event will be canceled. There is no cost to attend and no registration is required.

Saturday, June 9, 2012, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. at Marengo Ridge Conservation Area in McHenry County, Illinois, Shelter #2 - The Northwest Suburban Astronomers (NSA), in cooperation with the McHenry County Conservation District, will be hosting a public star party on Saturday night,      June 9th at Marengo Ridge Conservation Area in McHenry County, Illinois. This is your opportunity to look at stars, galaxies, nebulae and star clusters with the help of NSA member telescopes. Marengo Ridge Conservation Area is located at 3100 North Illinois Route 23 (on the east side of the road approximately 2 miles north of the town of Marengo, Illinois and ¼ mile north of River Road). A location map can be found at this link (site 8 on the map). Some of the observing highlights will be the planets Saturn and Mars, M27 (Dumbbell Nebula), M57 (Ring Nebula), Globular Star Clusters M56, M13 and M92 as well as many other deep sky objects.

Please bring warm clothing (nights can be very chilly) and a flashlight covered with red plastic or cellophane (red light preserves your night vision).
 
Sunset is at 8:30 p.m. (CDT). Please come out early and hike the trails or talk with NSA club members. Also, you are welcome to bring your own telescope or binoculars. In the event of inclement weather the event will be canceled. There is no cost to attend and no registration is required.

Saturday, August 18, 2012, 8:00 p.m. at Wildcat Mountain State Park near Ontario, Wisconsin - The Northwest Suburban Astronomers (NSA), in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, will be hosting a presentation and public star party. Come join the NSA for a night under the stars searching for galaxies, star clusters and nebulae with their large array of telescopes for public viewing. NSA club member Jay Skuban will be presenting an "Introduction to Astronomy." Jay is an accomplished visual astronomer and active member of the Astronomical League and the NSA. Jay will provide an informative introduction to astronomy including the use of telescopes, binoculars, and popular resources available to become a “backyard astronomer.”  This is a well-attended family event and a wonderful opportunity to discover the wonders of the night sky. Dress for night time weather and plan to come early and stay late. The program will begin at 8:00 p.m. at the amphitheater followed by telescope viewing in the group campground (weather permitting).

Wildcat Mountain State Park is located in Vernon County, Wisconsin. The entrance to the park is on the east side of State Route 33 about two miles southeast from the Village of Ontario. Both the presentation and telescope viewing are free and no registration is required, A Wisconsin vehicle admission sticker is required to enter the state park (more information can be found at this link). Camping is also available at Wildcat Mountain. 

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NSA Wiki

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