Lake County (Illinois) Astronomical Society

Who we are:

We are people of all ages who are interested in the science of astronomy. While many are accomplished observers and astrophotographers, others are new to the hobby. The LCAS tries to respond to all levels of interest. Various members own large telescopes, some of which they've built themselves from scratch. On the other hand, some members don't own any telescope at all, but simply enjoy observing the night sky with their unaided eyes.

Membership benefits include:

Field trips to local planetaria and observatories
Observing sessions at designated LCAS dark-sky sites
Annual trips to the Southwest for very dark sky observing
Help in acquiring telescopes and guidance in using them
Support for activities of the International Dark Sky Association
Monthly newsletter (Sample LCAS NightTimes (PDF))
Discounted subscriptions to various astronomy-related periodicals
Use of the club's rental telescopes
Access to books and computer programs in the LCAS library
Mentoring for members who are new to the club or new to astronomy
Use of the LCAS Yahoo User Group

How to learn more about the LCAS:

Everyone is invited to attend our meetings. (Map and directions.) If you decide to join, the dues are $20.00 a year. This is a flat rate for individuals and families. You do not need to become a member to attend the meetings; they are always open to the public.

You need not be very knowledgeable in astronomy to join the LCAS. But you'll find that as your knowledge grows, you'll derive great satisfaction from this oldest of sciences, which is as up-to-date as the latest space-age technology. Moreover, astronomy is probably the only science where an amateur can make a positive contribution through careful observations.

Send your questions about joining to the Membership Chairman.

General questions and comments may be sent to the Publicity Chariman.

How to join:

Just send (or give) the dues to the treasurer with a filled out Membership Application (PDF). The dues cover January - December.

Frequently asked questions:

What if I don't own a telescope?
No problem! The LCAS is the perfect place to look through other members' scopes before buying your own. There are also some basic telescopes owned by the club that members may rent for a nominal fee.
What if I join in the middle of the year?
If you join in July-December the dues are 50% of the yearly rate.
Does the club have an observing site?
Yes. We have a site on private land near the Illinois-Wisconsin border.
Does the club have an observatory?
Not yet. We have built a 20 inch telescope on a refurbished Nishimura mount. We are currently looking for a site to locate the telescope and build an observatory. If you know of a possible site, let us know!
Can the public observe with the club?
Yes. Weather permitting, there is a star party after every public meeting.

Last updated on April 30, 2008.