Galena Astronomical Society

10/16/2026

As promised, our next public observing experience will be held at the Weiskopf Observatory, Byron Forest Preserve District,7993 N. River Road, Byron, IL, 7-9P on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The weather should provide us with clear skies. This will be a great experience, both inside and outside the observatory! Please mention the Galena Astronomical Society when you visit. All ages are welcome; admission is free.

Send a message to learn more

09/18/2026

Tomorrow's public observing (9/19/2026) in Dubuque is cancelled due to weather.

08/16/2026

Tonight's observing event, "Meteors on the Mound" has been cancelled due to weather.

08/16/2026

Tonight's "Meteors on the Mound" observing event has been cancelled due to overcast skies.

07/24/2026

We are expanding our viewing locations to accommodate our visitors who may live closer to the Chicago and Rockford areas. On Saturday, October 10th and 17th, 2026 at 7P, you are invited to attend our free public observing at the Weiskopf Observatory, 7993 N. River Road, Byron, IL 61010. Guests will be looking through the computer controlled Celestron HD1100 11" telescope. We look forward to seeing you there!

07/24/2026

★★★★☆ · Nature preserve

07/23/2026

Public observing at Horseshoe Mound.

07/21/2026

☄️ The Perseid Meteor Shower has officially begun!

One of the world’s most spectacular annual meteor showers is now active, sending bright streaks of light across the night sky as Earth passes through the dusty trail left by Comet Swift–Tuttle.

The Perseids will be active from July 17 to August 24, reaching their peak on the night of August 12–13. Under dark skies, patient observers could see 60–100 meteors per hour, including brilliant fireballs that leave glowing trails for several seconds.

Even before the peak, the number of meteors will steadily increase each night, making the coming weeks a perfect time to look up.

✨ Find a dark location away from city lights, allow your eyes about 20 minutes to adapt to the darkness, and simply look toward the widest area of the sky—no telescope or binoculars are needed.

📅 Active: July 17 – August 24, 2026
🌠 Peak: August 12–13, 2026

Sources: NASA • American Meteor Society (AMS) • International Meteor Organization (IMO)

07/18/2026

Just a reminder to let you know we do have an observing event tonight (Saturday, 18 July 2026) hosted by JDCF at Horseshoe Mound in Galena from 8 to 10P.

Send a message to learn more

06/05/2026

We are having a few upcoming public observing events, at the following dates and locations:

July 18, 2026 8:00-10:00P Horseshoe Mound
Horseshoe Mound Preserve
1679 N Blackjack Road
Galena, IL 61036
https://www.google.com/maps/place/1679+N+Blackjack+Rd,+Galena,+IL+61036/@42.3982211,-90.4085003,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x87e2cf7b8651cccd:0x7395118a3486590d!8m2!3d42.3982211!4d-90.4059254!16s%2Fg%2F11pk9dqzvh?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDYwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

August 8, 2026 8:00-10:00P
Big Sky Nature Reserve
5557 S Massbach Road
Stockton, IL 61085

August 15, 2026 8:00-11:00P Horseshoe Mound
Horseshoe Mound Preserve
1679 N Blackjack Road
Galena, IL 61036
This is our annual "Meteors on the Mound" event. The Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF) suggests a donation of $10/person or $25/family. RSVP’s are not required.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/1679+N+Blackjack+Rd,+Galena,+IL+61036/@42.3982211,-90.4085003,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x87e2cf7b8651cccd:0x7395118a3486590d!8m2!3d42.3982211!4d-90.4059254!16s%2Fg%2F11pk9dqzvh?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDYwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

September 19, 2026 7-10P Mount St. Francis
Mount St. Francis
3390 Windsor Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001-1311
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mt+St+Francis/@42.5334424,-90.6866052,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x87e32b5cc19f2bc7:0x96b3585dbebee912!8m2!3d42.5334281!4d-90.6681512!16s%2Fg%2F1tx_6xs5?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDYwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

★★★★☆ · Nature preserve