Night sky program explores connections of stars, Underground Railroad
Published 7:04 am Tuesday, August 4, 2026
PITTSFIELD — A night sky program planned Saturday in Pittsfield will illuminate how the night sky supported freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad in Illinois.
National Park Service rangers and the University of Illinois Springfield Astronomy Department will share powerful stories and guided stargazing.
The program begins at 8 p.m. as daylight fades to twilight at the Pittsfield City Lake Campground with a ranger-led talk focused on celestial connections to local Underground Railroad stories.
When twilight transitions to night, a variety of astronomy activities, including telescope viewing, will be led by UIS astronomers.
The program ends at 10 p.m., but visitors are welcome to stay and continue viewing the night sky on their own. Participants should bring bug spray and a chair, and dress for the weather. To help navigate in the dark, bring a flashlight with a red light or red-light filter to help see while protecting night vision.
The lake is approximately 2 miles east of U.S. 54 and 1.5 miles north of Ill. 106 in Newburg Township, or about 2 miles east of Pittsfield.
