Dark skies, bright stars
Stargazing returns to Havana airport

[September 12, 2022]    The Havana Regional Airport, located six miles south of Havana just off Route 97, is pleased to announce the return of their Stargazing event on Friday, September 16th.

Members of the community, as well as the flying public are invited to take advantage of the dark night skies that only a rural airport can provide to see heavenly bodies that are usually hidden due to light pollution.

Hosted by EAA Chapter 1420 the club is expecting astronomers and telescopes from at least three area astronomy clubs including the University of Illinois students who helped found the event originally.

Dan Son of the Peoria Astronomy Club said his group expected to be there with several telescopes and experienced sky watchers to give tours of the night sky.

Son said they will be able to share something even if it is partly cloudy.

“We will be there as long as it is not completely overcast and not raining,” he said.

Until the moon rises at 11:30 p.m., visitors will have a good opportunity to see planets and what Son described as “deep sky fuzzies” - globular clusters, galaxies and more.

Area residents planning to attend should arrive between 7 and 7:30 p.m. Telescopes will be set up and there will be things to see early on.

Those planning on flying in for the airport event should arrive by 6 p.m., as airport lights will be turned off for this event.

The airport is six miles south of Havana just off of Route 97 on the same road as the dragstrip and is well marked. Watch for signs.

For more information email evanhoughton87
@live.com  or call 309 397-6926.

[Text provided by Wendy Martin]