BARRINGTON Over two dozen participants were treated to a spring astronomy program at Citizens for Conservation April 5 as part of the youth education class offerings.

Families listened as amateur astronomer Edith Auchter discussed phases of the Moon, exploration of the Moon, its surface features, and its rotation about its own axis and the Earth.

During the presentation, participants made lunar flip books so they could see the progression of the phases as well as lunar rotation around the Earth that results in those phases. Now, those participants can understand why only 59 percent of the Moon is visible on Earth.

However, even after 100 lunar missions, much is still a mystery such as the difference in features seen on the near and far sides. The next astronomy activity involved everyone making a pocket scale model of our solar system.

Darkness came and it was very clear not too cold and not windy.

With binoculars and telescopes, provided by Auchter and another five members of the Northwest Suburban Astronomers, participants observed the Moon, Jupiter and its Galilean moons, Mars, the Pleiades, Orion Nebula (where new stars are born), the Double Cluster in Perseus, and other galaxies.

The group learned that there will be a total lunar eclipse on Oct. 8.

Visit http://www.citizensforconservation.org for youth program information.

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Youth astronomers view Moon, planets