Monthly Meeting

The Adler Planetarium’s Doane Observatory is home to the largest publicly-accessible telescope in the Chicagoland area, a 24″ PlaneWave reflector installed in 2020. Home to observing opportunities for the public since 1977, the Adler now aims to expand its repertoire from facilitating public observing events to a full research program, with the goal of opening access to hands-on astronomy research for Chicago-area students. Michelle will describe the Doane’s observing capabilities from a unique urban location adjacent to Lake Michigan, which have been tested on targets including transiting exoplanets, variable stars, and more, as well as plans to explore partnerships to expand access for the next generation of astronomers.

Michelle Nichols is Director of Public Observing at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, IL, and has worked at the Adler for almost 30 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University. Ms. Nichols leads all of the Adler Planetarium’s telescope, observatory, and public sky observing initiatives and events.

This event is open to the public and free of charge.