Astronomy Day

Join us for this years Astronomy Day, a celebration for the Astronomy community! It will take place on April 26, 2025, at Harper College in Palatine, featuring engaging activities for all ages, including informative presentations, informational booths, hands-on youth crafts, and telescope viewing (weather permitting).

To help spread the word, we encourage you to download the Astronomy Day flyer via the button below and distribute it in your neighborhoods, schools, and local businesses. The flyer contains essential information about the event.

Together, we can inspire others to explore the night sky and foster a greater appreciation for astronomy. Download the flyer today and share it widely!

Download Flyer

Event Parking & Observing Directions

Arrival Instructions

Main Presentations

Please park in Lot 3.

Enter through Building Z at the red star location.

If Lot 3 is full, overflow parking is available in Lots 2 and 4.

Building Z Google Maps Address:
1200 W Algonquin Rd #117

Observing Activity Location

8:00 PM – 10:30 PM
(Note: Observing hours depend on weather and attendance.)

To get there: Starting from Lot 3, follow the red path and park in Lot 8.

Henize Observatory is across the road from Lot 8, marked by the transparent red star.

6:00 PM Presentations

Europa Clipper and JUICE (Room Z102)

Kevin Cole, Assoc. Prof, Harper College

Two new missions from NASA and ESA will conduct an in-depth investigation of Jupiter’s icy moons, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. This presentation will provide an overview of these missions, what we know so far of Jupiter’s icy moons, and what we hope to learn.

Planetary Cartography (Room Z117)

Jackie Cooney, Instructor, Harper College

Mapping planetary surfaces is an important objective when orbiting any solid body. This presentation will discuss some of the latest technologies and techniques for creating a comprehensive map of a planetary surface.

Rethinking the Big Bang (Room Z119)

Jeff Schmidt, Adjunct Prof, Harper College

What is the Big Bang theory? What is Dark Matter and Dark Energy? Do recent findings help or hurt the current model? Should we (and could we) re-think current assumptions? A conceptual overview, and new findings from the James Webb Space Telescope, and old unresolved issues with the Big Bang Theory will be examined.

7:00 PM Presentations

Meteorites (Room Z102)

Kevin Murphy, Adjunct Prof, Harper College

Experience holding something truly extraordinary—real meteorite samples, fragments of ancient space travelers, older than Earth itself, that journeyed across the cosmos before landing here. Just imagine - these pieces were once part of asteroids or even planets, and now we get to see and touch them up close. It’s like holding a piece of the universe in your hands!

Could We Understand an Alien Message? (Room Z117)

Dale Dellutri, Skokie Valley Astronomers

If an alien civilization sent a message, could we receive, decode, interpret, and understand it? Daniela de Paulis, Artist-in-Residence at the Green Bank Observatory and the SETI Institute, designed an actual message that was as alien as possible, then arranged to have it transmitted to Earth from a spacecraft orbiting Mars. What did we learn?

Aurora Borealis: Nature’s Fireworks (Room Z119)

Tom Auchter, Northwest Suburban Astronomers

Learn about the Northern Lights, why there are different colors, what causes aurora, the Sun connection, and when to see them.

8:00 PM Presentations

Wonders of Webb: Exploring the Universe with JWST (Room Z102)

Jim Kovac, NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador

With the successful launch and deployment of the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have explored new vistas and aspects of the Universe made possible with this remarkable instrument. Join an exploration with a new eye on the Universe.

The Past, Present, and Future of Mars (Room Z117)

Robert Karas, Northwest Suburban Astronomers

Learn about the origin of Mars, its history, and its evolution. Robert will present scientific satellite and surface imagery. He will also consider Mars's future for human development.

Remote Sensing of Planetary Surfaces (Room Z119)

Jackie Cooney, Instructor, Harper College

Remote sensing of a planetary surface entails more than just taking pretty pictures. Sensing elemental and mineralogical compositions is also very important. How is this accomplished? Come and explore some innovative technologies.