Mars Events for Illinois, USA

Is this list missing an event in your location? Fill out this form and let me know about it. Click here to go back to the full list of Mars 2003 events.

Antioch

  • Antioch Library - 7:30 pm, August 27 - Lecture "Destination Mars" followed by observing session with telescopes of members of the Lake County Astronomical Society.

Bourbonnais

  • Strickler Planetarium - August 16, 23, 25, 26, and 27 - Observing will take place at the west end of the Exploration Station parking lot on the grounds of Perry Farm. Observing begins at dusk, with prime viewing occuring later at night. For more information, contact Brock Schroeder at the Strickler Planetarium on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University. 815-939-5361 bschroed@olivet.edu

Champaign-Urbana

  • Meadowbrook Park - 10:00 pm, August 27 - The Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society (CUAS), an affiliate of the Champaign Park District, will offer observing from Meadowbrook Park, near Praireplay, weather permitting, on August 27 from 10pm to midnight.
  • University of Illinois Observatory - 9:00 pm, August 29, September 5 and 13 - More info

Chicago

  • Adler Planetarium - 9 p.m. to 12:00, Aug. 28 and 29 and Sept. 5 - Astronomers and educators will be on hand to answer questions. Tours of the Doane Observatory and public viewing with telescopes will be on the south lawn (weather permitting). Adler's outdoor events are free. Join us for these special Mars-gazing events. Bring your telescope, or use one of ours. More info

Ingleside

  • Volo Bog State Recreation Area - 9:30 p.m., Sept. 19 - Mars Party begins after the club's regular monthly meeting. Business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m., followed by a presentation at 8:30 p.m. and Mars Party at 9:30 p.m. Public is invited to the meeting and for observing afterward. More info

Naperville

  • Glen D. Riley Observatory - 8:00 p.m., August 27 - Open public observing session through observatory and portable telescopes to view Mars! More info

Peoria

  • NorthMoor Observatory on Donovan Golf Course, 5805 N Knoxville Ave - 9:00 p.m., August 23-30 - A refractor is the best scope for planetary observing, and few people in the world will enjoy views through such a large refractor. It is 9 inches diameter and 12 foot long. It was built around 1911-1913. We are also open every clear Saturday night from April through end of October at dusk. More info

River Grove

  • Cernan Earth and Space Center - 8:30 pm, August 23-30 - On each clear night from Saturday, August 23rd through Saturday, August 30th, the staff of Triton College's Cernan Earth and Space Center, along with volunteers from the Chicago Astronomical Society, will host a Mars Watch telescope observing session on the front lawn of the Cernan Center building. Each observing session will start at 9:30 p.m. and will conclude at about midnight. More info