Marvelous Moon Gazing at Norridge Park

More than 300 local children and adults participated in the Second Annual Night Sky Gazing event at Norridge Park on Thursday, July 18. The event was planned by the local Norridge Harwood Heights Kiwanis Club in partnership with Norridge Park District, Harlem Irving Plaza, and the Chicago Astronomical Society.

During and after the park's movie night, co-sponsored by Norridge Park District and the Harlem Irving Plaza, many people got a chance to look at the night sky through high magnification telescopes with volunteers from the Chicago Astronomical Society.

There were lines of kids excited to view the moon. With weather and visibility near perfect conditions just three days before the full moon, one by one, the children and adults lined up to peer through the telescope.

Prizes, purchased and donated by Norridge Harwood Heights Kiwanis Club included kaleidescopes, night sky star and planet maps, phases of the moon lights, meteorite fragments (!) and more. A raffle was also held for a telescope donated by Harlem Irving Plaza.

Thursday night’s moon-gazing event, organized by the Chicago Astronomical Society, founded in 1862 to promote the study of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies, offered a spectacular view of our lunar neighbor.

Starting with a low magnification of around 50x, participants could appreciate the entire moon in its grandeur. However, the true magic unfolded with a high magnification of at least 150x, showcasing the moon's intricate details and reducing its glare. The moon, more tolerant of high magnification than any other celestial body, revealed a tapestry of craters, mountains, and other topographic wonders.

Dawid Biel, VP of Kiwanis and the enthusiastic founder and coordinator of the event, shared his excitement: “Seeing the wonder in everyone's eyes as they look through the telescope is incredible. Events like this spark curiosity and a love for science that can last a lifetime.”

Anthony Harris, President of the Chicago Astronomical Society, who brought the telescopes, emphasized the significance of observing the moon: “In 1903, we took our first powered flight, and just 66 years later, we landed on the moon. From landing on the moon to viewing it through a telescope, our fascination with the lunar surface has only grown. You are not looking at a screen; you are looking first-hand at the night sky—and in this case, the lunar surface with its varied topography. Seeing the phases of the moon as it changes from night to night is better than any photograph… It stays with you."

Mara Russiaky, Director of Marketing at Harlem Irving Plaza, added, "Harlem Irving Plaza is thrilled to support this educational and exciting event. Partnering with the Kiwanis Club and Norridge Park District to bring these amazing telescopes to the community has been a rewarding experience. It's wonderful to see so many people, especially children, engaging with science and the wonders of the night sky."

The event offered an unforgettable lunar exploration, blending science with the sheer beauty of the night sky. Thank you to all who participated and coordinated an amazing event!