Chatham.

The definitive guide to dark skies and celestial observation in Chatham, IL. Verified using National Park Service and NASA Night Sky Network Clubs data.

Bortle Scale
6
Best Regional Reading
Sky Quality
20.38
SQM Zenith Value
Verified Sites
5
Community Vetted
Dark Sky Parks
2
IDA Certified Nearby

Quick Guide for Chatham

  • Top Community Pick: Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area (~28.4 miles)
  • Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 6.0 at Kemil Beach
  • Local Experts: Sangamon Astronomical Society
  • Verified Observations: 5 distinct spots

Searching for a clear window into the cosmos near Chatham, IL? While enthusiasts often gather at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area for its accessibility, scientific audits conducted by the National Park Service at Kemil Beach provide the most accurate reading of the regional sky quality, measuring at a Bortle 6.0. The local landscape of Chatham offers several pockets of darkness that are perfect for deep-sky observation.

The Best Times for Stargazing in Chatham

Since Chatham sits in a transitional light zone, viewing is best during the New Moon or after midnight when some commercial lighting is reduced.

Expert Tips for Chatham Observers

Before heading out to Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area, we recommend arriving during civil twilight to scout the terrain safely. For the best views here, try to observe targets when they are highest in the sky to minimize atmospheric interference. Local enthusiasts often frequent this spot, making it a great place to meet experienced observers. Regardless of your gear, allow 30 minutes for your eyes to fully dark-adapt.

Local Top Spots

Community-vetted locations known for clear horizons and accessibility for telescopes and astrophotography.

Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 77.5%

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area

28.4 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Newmansville, IL 62612
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Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 90%

Louis Latzer Library [Outreach Only]

64.5 mi
Distance

" His presentation is highlighted by photos, and capped with video of the 2017 total solar eclipse. The talk will be followed by telescope viewing outdoors, weather permitting.' "

Highland, IL 62249
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Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 80%

Edwardsville Public Library

61.2 mi
Distance

" Telescopes are set up on the lawn.' "

Edwardsville, IL 62025
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Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 77.5%

Silver Lake Park [Outreach Only]

64.5 mi
Distance

" 'Go to Highland Parks and Recreation Page for more information. "

Highland, IL 62249
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Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 77.5%

Rinderer Park

64.5 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Highland, IL 62249
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Scientific Audit

NPS Sky Measurements

Instrumented readings from the National Park Service Night Sky Program, providing the most accurate SQM and Bortle classifications.

Kemil Beach

Indiana Dunes NL

19.88 SQM
Bortle Class 6

"Set up about 50' from the water in a depression in the sand dunes. Local glare from the western most home in the "1933 Century of Progress" homes. Other glare sources from the power plants to the SW and NE along the lakeshore are easily visible but did not saturate the camera sensor. A clear view across Lake Michigan to the Chicago skyline, though clouds and haze never completely cleared away. I suspect the industrial developments from the Port of Indiana all the way around to Chicago has a significant impact on aeresols and local cloud development. Even so, at 35 miles distant, the illuminated buildings of the Chicago skyline were easily visible to the naked eye on this evening. The light dome of Michigan City (5 miles to the ENE) was very bright, but the dome from Chicago all the way to south of INDU is by far the greatest source of skyglow. The Milky Way was visible from 15° above the horizon at both ends. Not a lot of detail was visible in the Sagittarius or Cygnus star clouds. M31 was barely visible to the naked eye without using averted vision. Comparitively, for the region, this is not too bad a place to view the night sky. If not for the local glare sources, it would be fairly quick to dark adapt and be able to see many celestial features. Was able to see 6.2 LM in Ursa Major (which was over the lake to the darker north)."

Observation Date
7/24/2017
Elevation
179m
Zenith Brightness
20.08

Log Cabins

Fort Donelson NB

20.38 SQM
Bortle Class 6

"SQM of 20.47 at 2035 local time. Only fair transparency and seeing. Some fast moving clouds. High humidity. Milky Way visible from 20 degrees above north horizon. Great rift visible, Saggitarius cloud not easily visible, Scutum cloud not visible. Milky Way about 10-12 degrees wide, but faint and no fine details. To the NW a blue white light dome easily seen. Due East is the Clarksville lightdome almost 25 degrees high and 15 degrees wide. Core is bright. Adjacent to the light dome is a spotlight (which we determined was coming from the cemetary here in FODO park). To the West and Southwest is another lightdome fainter than Clarksville, but brighter than the Milky Way"

Observation Date
9/27/2013
Elevation
128m
Zenith Brightness
20.56

International Dark Sky Parks

Premier locations certified for their exceptional dark sky quality and commitment to light pollution mitigation.

IDA Certified Distance: 78.8 miles

Stacy Park

Stacy Park is a 35-acre park located in Olivette, Missouri and is approximately 10 miles west of St. Louis City. Established in 1926, Stacy Park is one of five…

Category
Urban Night Sky Place
Certified
2021
Land Area
0.14 km2
Coordinates
38.6708, -90.3941
IDA Certified Distance: 103.5 miles

Middle Fork River Forest Preserve

Middle Fork River Forest Preserve is a 688-hectare site in Champaign County, Illinois, U.S. It is one of six public preserves owned and operated by the…

Category
International Dark Sky Park
Certified
2018
Land Area
6.88km2
Coordinates
40.3827, -87.9703

Local Astronomy Clubs

Connect with experts and fellow enthusiasts through local astronomical societies and community groups.

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#254

Sangamon Astronomical Society

Springfield, IL

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#532

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Star Parties

Edwardsville, IL