The next meeting of the Chicago Astronomical Society will be on
Saturday, December 6, 2025
at the
Cernan Earth and Space Center.
Meeting Agenda:
For this meeting we will see a documentary planetarium show and not have a speaker.
Please note the schedule for the evening so you won't be late for pizza!
5:00 PM -- Astro-talk over pizza and soft drinks. (Donations are welcome to offset the cost of food and beverage.)
6:00 PM -- The Planetarium show, Big Astronomy: People+Places+Discoveries will begin.
To study the vastness of space, you need extra-large equipment. Join us for a quick trip to visit three world-class observatories in Chile's rugged Andes Mountains and the Atacama Desert —
remote, extreme regions that have the perfect conditions for astronomical research. Big Astronomy: People+Places+Discoveries also highlights the diverse people and variety of roles they play
to make groundbreaking discoveries possible at these amazing observatories in Chile.In the most remote locations on the planet, people are working to uncover mysteries throughout the universe…
and most are not astronomers.
Big Astronomy: People+Places+Discoveries is set in Chile where the dry, dark sky and observatories' remoteness create an ideal site to observe the universe. By the year 2022 it is expected
that nearly 70% of the world's ground-based observing infrastructure will be located there, and the US and other countries are investing billions of dollars in astronomy in Chile. Big Astronomy
introduces audiences to the wide variety of personnel involved in advancing astronomical discovery. “When people think of astronomy, they often imagine astronomers peering through telescopes,” says
AUI President Adam Cohen. “They are unaware of the STEM village it takes to make exploration of the cosmos possible.” Big observatories today employ electrical and mechanical engineers, technicians,
data analysts, machinists, heavy equipment operators, maintenance personnel, artists, cooks, and many more professionals. Each of these individuals plays an important role in making astronomical
discoveries possible. Beyond the fascinating places and people involved in astronomical research, the show includes the fruits of the research itself. “We are excited by the opportunity this project
presents to both formal and informal STEM educators,” explains Tim Spuck, AUI Director of Education and Public Engagement and Principal Investigator (PI) for Big-ACT, “Astronomy excites learners of
all ages. We can use the power of astronomy to help individuals understand that they can be part of amazing science and discoveries without necessarily becoming a PhD astronomer. We want every person
attending the planetarium show to be able to connect the people they see to someone they know or someone they themselves can one day become.” The Education Web Portal through includes learning activities,
interviews with observatory personnel, and a schedule of live virtual sessions with those working at the observatories.
Click HERE for Preview Trailer
The Education Web Portal includes learning activities, interviews with observatory personnel, and a schedule of live virtual sessions with those working at the observatories.
Click HERE for Preview Trailer
7:30 PM -- If the weather permits there will be telescopic viewing of the Moon, Saturn and Neptune. If you have a telescope, please bring it along and you can share views of the moon with attendees. (Unfortunately, as of 12/4/25 the weather forecast is for clouds and it is unlikely that there will be telescopes set up)
Looking Ahead: The December meeting of the Chicago Astronomical Society (CAS) will be on Saturday, January 24,
2025 at the Cernan Earth and Space Center Event Calendar
Membership --- If you enjoy the activities of the CAS, please become a member.
Regular membership is only $30 for an individual and $50 for a family membership.
We now accept payment via Zelle.
We would like to thank the Cernan Center and its director Kris McCall for their support of the CAS and astronomy/science education. We encourage CAS members and all others who support science education to purchase memberships for the Cernan Center.
We would also like to thank our members for their past and continued support.
We hope that you can attend. Please feel free to forward and invite friends!
Clear Skies!
Tony Harris
V.P. and Program Manager,
Chicago Astronomical Society
