Lake County Astronomical Society (LCAS) was founded in 1982. Our nonprofit organization has been providing a variety of programs throughout Lake County, Illinois and the surrounding area. Our outreach and members-only programs include the following:
Our premiere annual event, currently held at the Ela Area Public Library. This family-friendly event includes presentations from LCAS members, kid activities including our own “Dr. Comet”, and solar viewing.
Once a month, from March through November, we partner with local libraries to provide viewing opportunities for their patrons through our members’ powerful telescopes. Participants are usually able to see detailed features on the Moon. Depending on weather and night sky conditions, participants may also be able to see Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and other night sky objects.
These events are very enjoyable and informative for participants of all ages.
Following is a testimonial from Sarah S. of Grayslake, IL following a recent AUTCL event at the Grayslake Area Public Library:
“What a great thing to do on a summer’s evening: stroll through the park to my local library, see friends, pick up a couple must-read books, and wade through a crowd of my fellow villagers to take my turn peeking into magical tubes that brought the bubbles and wrinkles of that gorgeous white globe into close view. What a delightfully perfect blend of experiences! Thank you!”
The events are free and available for all ages.
Join us for one or more of the upcoming evening events!
Lake County Astronomical Society (LCAS) proudly supports the LoanStar library telescope program, making telescopes available for checkout by library patrons across Lake County, Illinois—and parts of Cook and McHenry Counties. Partnering with local libraries is a natural extension of our outreach efforts to spark interest and engagement in astronomy.
A Special Thanks: LCAS is grateful to the New Hampshire Astronomical Society (NHAS), who pioneered the first library telescope program in 2008. Their generosity in sharing their model and experience helped us effectively launch our own version.
If you have questions or comments you’d like to share with us on this outreach program, please drop us an email at: contact@lcas-astronomy.org
This member-only program meets every other month to discuss a variety of topics related to telescopes, astrophotography, observing tips and etiquette, and much more.
Throughout the year, our volunteers work with local organizations to provide astronomy-based programs, including schools, nature centers, scouting troops, and other community groups.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact LCAS at contact@lcas-astronomy.org