The April 2026 meeting of the Chicago Astronomical Society will be on
Saturday, April 25, 2026
at the
Cernan Earth and Space Center.
Please note the schedule so you won't be late for pizza!
Meeting Agenda:
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 lectures will begin.
7:30 PM -- If the weather permits , we will have telescopes set up to view the Moon, Jupiter and Venus.
Speaker: Dr. Jim Sweitzer
Topic: Cosmic Art
About the Presentation:
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit the incredible things our most advanced
telescopes have discovered? Or maybe you've also dreamed of capturing the beauty of outer space
with your own art. I am a PhD astrophysicist, but I also practice art. This will be an interstellar
aesthetic adventure in immersive 4K Ultra-HD! This isn't just about visiting the Moon or Saturn's
rings; we'll journey over a billion light years to witness wonders only the Hubble Space Telescope
and our most advanced space probes could reveal. I'll also, from an artist’s point of view, explain
how we perceive these objects through our advanced digital senses.
While we'll cover the science behind these amazing sites, we'll also focus on the artistic appeal of
these incredible places. If you're interested, you'll even be shown how to create your own space art.
There will be plenty of science but think of this event as a private tour using the Universe as an
art museum.
About our Speaker:
If Jim Sweitzer were an astronomical body, he might be called a “rogue planet.” Unlike most folks who
graduate from the University of Chicago with a PhD in Astrophysics, Jim chose to turn his expertise to
public science education. His first job was with the Adler Planetarium in Chicago where he eventually
became Assistant Director. U of C, however, lured him back to help manage the creation of their Center
for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica, which found him twice at the South Pole. Jim's next
adventure was warmer but equally challenging, directing the creation of the Rose Center for Earth and
Space at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. After its Millennial debut, Jim returned
to Chicago to work for DePaul University's Space Science Center, acting as liaison for NASA’s Space
Science educational mission in a seven-state midwestern region. In 2004, Jim launched SCC, Science
Communications Consultants, a firm that advises on the building and renovation of science museums
around the globe, including the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, the largest in the world. Jim is also an avid
stargazer, delighting in his array of “smart telescopes.” He is the author of a book entitled “Dear Galileo,
Letters from a Contemporary Astronomer to his Hero” and the writer of
“SmartStars.blog,”
helping stargazers
appreciate more of what they see through their telescopes. A lover of the dark sky, Jim has recently
served on the American Astronomical Society's Committee for the Protection of Astronomy and the Space
Environment (COMPASSE), devoted to protecting this vital resource.
Looking Ahead: The May meeting of the Chicago Astronomical Society (CAS) will be on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at the Cernan Earth and Space Center at 5:00 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
