Amateur Astronomers Open Central Illinois Observatory

Sep 30, 2013 8:05 AM

A central Illinois amateur astronomy club is opening a new observatory to study the sky.

Reports indicate the Prairie Sky Observatory in McLean County is about 20 miles southwest of Bloomington. It's operated by Twin City Amateur Astronomers.

The new facility has a roll-off roof and three telescopes. It also has a control room where stargazers can look at images captures by the telescopes.

The group also operates the Sugar Grove Observatory in the Sugar Grove Nature Center.

Tom Weiland is club president. He says they needed additional space as membership grew and people started studying astrophotography.

He says he hopes the new observatory attracts more young people to science.

The telescopes in the new observatory were donated by club members, who are leasing the building.

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