Stargazing in Homer Township
Two dates have been set for Stargazing in Homer Township in 2010. (Read
about the April 9 event below.) Members of
the Kankakee Area Star Gazers and the Naperville Astronomical Association will
bring their telescopes once again to the Farm for residents near and far to view
the stars - weather permitting.
Friday, October 15, 2010 – 8 pm to 10 pm
(Rain date - Saturday October 16th)
Trantina Farm
15800 W. 151st Street
Homer Township
Dark Skies Awareness
Stargazing at the Trantina Farm April 9, 2010
Friday night, April 9th, was an absolutely perfect night for stargazing at the Trantina Farm. There was no moon, the weather was excellent, and the atmosphere was crystal clean. The stars beckoned - and in response nearly 200 people came out on this one night to see what the night sky had to offer!
For two solid hours people of all ages and backgrounds were united under one sky to look at the stars. They were not disappointed. Amateur astronomers from the Kankakee Area Star Gazers, the Naperville Astronomical Association, and the South West Astronomy Observers Group supplied 17 telescopes and dazzled the crowd with their knowledge of our universe. The astronomers highlighted Mars, Venus, Saturn, nebulae - the birth place of stars, Arcturus - the closest star in our galaxy, binary star systems, asteroids, the Pleiades, the North Star, and galaxies more than 60 million light years away.
Adults who looked at the night sky were amazed at what it had to offer and how much they can no longer see because of sky glow. Many shared stories of how they used to see the Milky Way galaxy as a child and parents in particular wanted their children to see what is now lost in the glow. The most frequently asked question was, "When are you going to do this again?".
Once again thanks go to the Village of Homer Glen Environment Committee for planning this night to view the stars which is our natural resource and to the Homer Township Supervisor and Trustees who graciously donated the use of the Trantina Farm for this astronomical event.
Great World Wide Star Count
October 9-23 2009
In addition, visitors at
the event can participate in the
Great World
Wide Star Count. This is another world wide astronomy event and featured as
part of the Dark Skies Awareness Cornerstone Project for the International Year
of Astronomy 2009. The stargazing event will also feature Jupiter, which is
prominent in the sky now.
Galilean Nights
October 22-24 2009
The IYA 2009 is having another cornerstone project to focus on Jupiter and
Galileo, who first looked at Jupiter 400 years ago:
Galilean Nights
Stargazing - 100 Years of Astronomy in Homer Glen and Homer Township - 2009
Click on a photo to enlarge it.
In recognition of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA), Homer Glen and
Homer Township worked together to participate in the 100 Hours of Astronomy
project to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first look through a
telescope. The 100 Hours of Astronomy project, which was a great success, took
place at the historic Trantina Farm, Homer Township's open space property,
located on 151st Street east of Gougar Road.
On April 3rd and 4th, 2009 almost 150 people from Homer Glen, Homer Township,
and Lockport braved the cold to look through telescopes. Members of the Kankakee
Area Stargazers and the Naperville Astronomical Association provided the use of
their high powered telescopes for night sky viewing. There were a total of 12
scopes at the two night event. Objects visible included the moon, Saturn with
its rings and moons, the Bee Hive cluster of stars, the Orion Nebula, other
galaxies, asteroids, and many more deep sky objects. Children especially were in
awe of the telescopes and the fact that they were seeing real objects in the sky
and not pictures from books or the computer.
We appreciate the cooperation provided by Homer Township for allowing the use
of the Trantina Farm for this astronomical event. The Farm provided a unique
backdrop for star gazing. The original inhabitants of the Trantina Farm were
able to see the stars in all their glory without the interference of light
pollution which is present today. While it was not possible to alter viewing
conditions back to the early days of Homer Township, it was possible to view the
stars as seen in days of old using the aides of modern day astronomy.
Look to the Homer Glen web site for future astronomical happenings in the
Homer Glen area.
International Year of Astronomy 2009
Join the Village of Homer Glen in Support of International Year of Astronomy
2009 and Earth Hour 2009
The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is a global effort initiated by the
International Astronomical Union (IAU) and UNESCO to help the citizens of the
world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time
sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery.
The Homer Glen Environment Committee is planning the second Earth Hour Event
to coordinate with the world-wide Earth Hour and The International Year of
Astronomy. Mark your calendar!
The Committee welcomes and looks forward to ideas that encourage
participation among residents and the business community. Please send any ideas
or suggestions to:
The Environment Committee
Village of Homer Glen
14933 Founders Crossing
Homer Glen, IL 60491
Fax: (708) 301-8407
Poster
International Year of
Astronomy Website
A Proclamation in Support of Earth Hour and
The International Year of
Astronomy 2009
March 28, 2009.
Whereas, our nation's use of energy continues
to increase resulting in detrimental effects on the world's climate; and
Whereas, it has been estimated that turning
non-essential lights out in America for one hour could save as much as 15% of
the energy consumed on an average Saturday night, and
Whereas, the energy savings will reduce
carbon emissions into our air, preserve the natural resources used to produce
this energy, set a positive precedent for the rest of the nation, and result in
ongoing reduced costs for the Village, taxpayers and businesses of Homer Glen;
and
Whereas, the Village of Homer Glen has an
Outdoor Lighting Ordinance that establishes standards for outdoor lighting that
eliminates off-site glare and minimizes light pollution; and
Whereas, the Village of Homer Glen recognizes
the night sky as a natural resource along with the need to preserve the rural
character, aesthetic value, and the unique quality of life of Village residents
by preserving and enhancing the ability to view the night sky; and
Whereas, participation in the United Nations
International Year of Astronomy 2009 event highlighting the 400th anniversary of
the use of the telescope by Galileo will help raise awareness of astronomy and
science for the residents of Homer Glen and promote the NASA program GLOBE at
Night; and
Whereas, participation in Earth Hour will
provide the residents of Homer Glen with insight into the impact of light
pollution and allow them to witness first hand the benefits of regulating
outdoor lighting,
Now Therefore Be It Proclaimed by the
President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Homer Glen supports the
recognition of Earth Hour and the International Year of Astronomy on Saturday,
March 28, 2009, by recommending to the residents and businesses of Homer Glen to
participate in turning out non-essential lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Approved this 9th Day of December, 2008.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF HOMER GLEN
[Signed]
James Daley, Village President
Print Homer Glen Proclamation (PDF)