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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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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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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On April 5 2025, MAS celebrated its 90th birthday with a grand party we called the Anniversary Gala. The gala was held at the magnificent Usona Institute at Promega Corporation in Fitchburg.
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Over Memorial Day week, 2025, several MAS members made an informal excursion to Nebraska’s Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area for some camping under radically dark skies.
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