Cernan Earth & Space Center

08/31/2026

September public programs at the Cernan Earth and Space Center!

Wednesdays
✨9:45am - Rusty Rocket’s Last Blast - Early Explorers✨
✨2:30pm - Dark Biosphere - General Audiences ✨

Saturdays
✨7:00pm - World 2 War - General Audiences ✨
✨8:30pm - Laser Motown - Cosmic Light Show ✨

Stop by to learn, or to just have fun!

08/29/2026

The clouds taunted us a bit, but Mother Nature delivered a beautiful lunar eclipse here at the Cernan Earth and Space Center on Thursday evening, August 27, 2026.

At maximum eclipse, about 11:14 pm, more than 95% of the Moon's surface was darkened by Earth's shadow taking on a burnt copper color, in stark contrast to the sliver of Moon illuminated by bright sunlight.

Photos are courtesy of C Pearson and E Anastasiou. Shooting through the eyepiece takes steady hands and great patience. Ms. Anastasiou says she got lots of practice from photographing bacteria through her microscope.

The next total lunar eclipse visible from here will be on the evening of June 25, 2029. Mark your calendars now.

08/29/2026

With everything else going on, on this planet, we don't want you to miss the launch of another amazing new telescope on Sunday morning, August 30.

NASA has all the details for when and where to watch the launch along with even more information about the telescope, what it will be looking for out there, and how it will complement the James Webb Space Telescope.

A detailed science briefing and prelaunch press conference about the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope will be broadcast on Saturday, August 29.

Coverage plans are ready for NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope prelaunch and launch activities. Roman is NASA’s next-generation observatory designed to

08/25/2026

This portrait of Dolly is in her aunt and uncle's house.

08/25/2026

We hope you'll join us!

08/25/2026

Want to follow us elsewhere? We are also on Instagram and Threads

08/24/2026

The Partial Lunar Eclipse is almost here! Just a reminder that we will be hosting a free watch party here at the Cernan Center on August 27th, 2026 from 9:15pm to 11:30pm. Feel free to bring your own binoculars, chairs, picnic blankets, snacks, and even a telescope if you have one.

This event is weather permitting. If it is cloudy, raining, or windy. the event will be canceled.

Let us know you're joining us here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Jr3oFuQ8G/

08/21/2026

You don’t have to be able to moonwalk to enjoy this Cosmic Concert featuring a variety of Michael Jackson’s musical masterpieces set to moving laser light.

Practice your ABCs, brave the Thriller and admire the Man in the Mirror in this tribute to the legendary performer.

08/21/2026

There is a lot happening here at the Cernan Center tomorrow, so we wanted to put up a quick summary post.

In addition to our two normal public shows at 7:00pm and 8:30pm, tomorrow is also the monthly meeting of the Chicago Astronomical Society + Star Party.

The CAS meeting will begin at 5pm with pizza and soft drinks (donations appreciated), at 6pm meeting attendees are invited to attend a special showing of Dark Biosphere in the planetarium, at 7pm Dr. Joshua Burton will share photos of the total solar eclipse taken in Spain, and between 8-8:30pm telescope set-up will begin.

We hope to see you here!