DeKALB The Northwest Suburban Astronomers, in cooperation with the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District, will host a public star party on Saturday, May 31, at Afton Forest Preserve's north entrance.

Look at stars, galaxies, nebulae and star clusters with the help of Northwest Suburban Astronomers member telescopes. Observing highlights will be a slender crescent moon and Jupiter early in evening, the planets Mars and Saturn, globular/open clusters M3, M13 and M44, the Ring Nebula (M57), the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) and galaxies M81 and M82, among others.

Participants should dress for a chilly evening and bring a flashlight covered with red plastic or cellophane, as red light preserves night vision. Bring your own insect repellent, if needed. Arrive around 8:30 p.m., or arrive early and hike the trails. Participants are welcome to bring their own telescope or binoculars. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be canceled. There is no cost to attend and no registration is required.

Afton Forest Preserve is located at 13600 Crego Road, DeKalb, about one mile east of Illinois Route 23 and one mile south of Perry Road. Park in the main parking lot and walk to the west. For more information, visit http://www.dekalbcounty.org/ForestPreserve or http://www.nsaclub.org.

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Public invited to astronomy party