Illinois Dark Skies Star Party

Hosted by the Sangamon Astronomical Society

The 25th edition of the IDSSP

Oct. 8, 9, 10, 2026

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area

We hope you can join us this year for the Illinois Dark Skies Star Party.
The registration form is here.

The Illinois Dark Skies Star Party will be held at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, 25 miles Northwest of Springfield, Illinois. 

The group campgrounds at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area are the host location. Plenty of room, covered pavilions and restrooms.
There is also an adjacent family campground should you wish to stay there and walk or drive over to the start party site. On the registration form, sign up for meals and shirts, sweatshirts.

This year’s amazing image is of the Triangulum Galaxy, taken by SAS Member Don Walker.

To familiarize yourself with the site, check out the maps at our club website: https://sas-sky.org/maps/