Seeing the stars in Roscoe
If you don't know what you're seeing in the night sky, there's help.
Some people, such as sailors, know a lot about stars and planets, but you may not know any of those people. Fortunately, there's help.
In Rockford, Lockwood Park near IL-70 features the Lockwood Park Observatory (as well as ponies, horses, goats, sheep, llama, rabbits, ducks, and a donkey.) The Rockford Amateur Astronomers operates the observatory, giving public presentations since their founding back in 1958.
Unfortunately because of COVID, public viewings and club meetings have been suspended until further notice. (The animals and farm are still open). The Lockwood Park Observatory has a 14-ft Ashdome with a custom-designed and built 10" Astro-Physics refracting telescope, a Piorkowski 10" Coelostat solar telescope, as well as various smaller, portable telescopes. For further information, you can call 815-964-6457 or email lpo@rockfordamateurastronomers.com.
But even on your phone or computer, programs and apps such as Stellarium show a map of the night sky from where you standing, with labels on the stars and planets you're looking at. They also show the moon, in case you aren't sure which direction you're looking. You can also see celestial bodies that are still below the horizon, or have recently set. Venus, Mars, and the other visible planets rise and set just as the sun and moon do.
Right now in Roscoe, we can see Mars and Venus around 9:45 p.m. on the west/northwest horizon. Find a viewing place out in the country or in a large park, where your view isn't blocked by trees, buildings, or light pollution.
