Oak Park Sky View Observatory

Chicago Clear Sky Clock

Access the telescope from home or from school (Temporarily disabled)

M27: The Dumbell Nebula

M27 is a planetary nebula 815 light years from earth.  Planetary nebulae are caused by dying stars that blow off part of their atmosphere. The colors are created by emission from the gas that has been excited by the radiation from the central star.

Staff of the Observatory

Funding for the observatory is provided by The Oak Park District 97 Board of Education and by the Oak Park Education Foundation.