Visit Northmoor Observatory this Summer - Free!

Did you know that there is an observatory that is open to the public here in Peoria? Northmoor Observatory is open to the public every cloudless Saturday night from the last two weekends in May through the first two weekends in October. Don't bother going if it is rainy or cloudy. The telescope cannot penetrate the clouds and you will just have to go home again. It is located in Donavon park, near hole three. 

Northmoor Observatory. Image Credit: GG Nature Photo

If you visit the observatory, you will be treated to a zoomed-in view of the Moon and whichever planets are visible - this summer Jupiter and Saturn will be prominent. You can see Jupiter's Galilean moons, and sometimes the Great Red Spot. You can see Saturn's rings, and often a few of its moons. The Moon is wonderful through Northmoor's telescope. You can see detailed craters, and shadows cast by the hills. 

The 9-inch refractor telescope is operated by volunteers from the Peoria Astronomical Society. Donations are welcome, but there is no admission fee. Often members will have their own telescopes set up too, so visitors can see a variety of telescopes and sights. Peoria Astronomical Society has been facilitating public viewing at Northmoor for over 50 years! 

Look to the Stars, by Doug and Eileen Leunig

The telescope for Northmoor Observatory was built in 1913 for the Illinois Watch Company, although the full observatory was not completed until 1955. It underwent major renovations in 2009, when a new rotating dome was put in place to replace the badly rusted original dome.

So stop by the Northmoor Observatory this summer to get a glimpse of the other worlds in our Solar System! Peoria Astronomical Society meetings are also open and welcome to the public. The next meeting will be the first Wednesday of October in 2016.

You can learn about space and science everyday at the Dome Planetarium at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates!

Don't miss Yoga Under the Stars this weekend!