Lights Out Wisconsin is a coalition of Wisconsin conservation groups and dark sky organizations working together to reduce the impacts of light pollution.

Nearly 80% of Americans can no longer see the Milky Way from where they live because of light pollution. Whole generations are growing up without ever seeing our own galaxy, and without dark skies, meteor showers become invisible as well.

By taking simple steps at home, you can help restore night skies across Wisconsin so everyone can enjoy the wonders above.

💡 Useful – Light only when and where it’s needed.
⬇️ Targeted – Aim fully shielded lights downward.
✨ Low Level – Use the lowest brightness needed.
⏱️ Controlled – Use timers or motion sensors.
🟠 Warm-Colored – Choose warm lights (2200K or lower).

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Congrats to Jack Fitzmier for his recent recognition as our newsletter editor. Thanks to Jack’s efforts, we can now say “award-winning MAS newsletter.”

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For the first time in nearly 30 years, MAS has a new home for its monthly meetings.

Starting in June 2026, MAS meetings will be held at Vel Phillips Memorial High School on Madison’s west side.

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When most people think of astronomy, they think of a telescope on a tripod on a clear night, where everything they look at is brilliant and in focus. That’s an ideal image, but it doesn’t necessarily happen the first time you set up your telescope and step outside. There’s much to learn along the way, and it can be awe inspiring and wondrous! And it shouldn’t start with spending money and getting frustrated. You can learn about the night sky from other people. Many of the tools don’t cost much, and you may already have them.

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Stirring Up The Cosmos

Announcing our first ever cookbook!

The Madison Astronomical Society has been gazing at the stars and sharing our passion for the night sky for decades.  Now we are celebrating our other passion: Great food!

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Pareidolia is the perception of apparently significant patterns or recognizable images, especially faces, in random or accidental arrangements of shapes and lines. When you see a cloud that looks like a dog, you are experiencing pareidolia. Astronomers have long experienced pareidolia when they look at the night sky.

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The Midwest’s Largest Star Party

This years’ event was on Friday, October 3, 2025 (link)

Every year since 1998, when weather permits, MAS has partnered with Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center to throw a huge star party on its rooftop terrace (known formally as the William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens).

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Sometimes a picnic is just a picnic. The MAS picnic is much more.

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