Welcome to the Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club

The LHAAC promotes the enjoyment of amateur astronomy through public star parties, education, and meetings.  We host 10 public star parties each year at White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, Connecticut.  Most star parties begin with a talk on an interesting topic, followed by a discussion of what’s visible tonight.  Then, if the weather is cooperative, we do some star and planet gazing.  All are welcome.  No prior knowledge of astronomy is required – just curiosity.

Please see the calendar for dates and talk topics.  If no events are shown please see our calendar at NASA’s Night Sky Network.

On request, we also do stargazing events and presentations for libraries, schools, scout groups and community service organizations.  You can get in touch via our contact page.  The club meets on the second Friday of each month except July at 7:30pm at 5 Points Arts Center, located at 855 University Drive in Torrington, CT, (the former UConn campus), usually in Room 130.  Visitors are always welcome in person or via Zoom.

Recent Club News

Great Targets in the Night Sky – August

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M22- Messier 22 Messier 22, colloquially known as the Sagittarius Cluster, is a captivating globular cluster residing in the constellation Sagittarius. Positioned approximately 10,000 light-years from Earth, it graces our Read More…

LHAAC resumes in-person events at White Memorial

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The club held its first in-person public event in more than a year with a new talk called “Juno at Jupiter” on August 27. The last two public talks of Read More…

May 26 talk on Roving Mars

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This talk is sponsored by The Oliver Wolcott Library. To join the talk, go to the Library’s site: https://www.owlibrary.org/adult-events.aspxScroll down until you see “Roving Mars – The Red Planet with Read More…

Founding Club Member Paul Pompa Passes Away at 96

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On 12/21/2020 the club learned that much loved and founding member Paul Pompa had passed away the previous day. Below are some words from the secretary about Paul’s involvement with Read More…

Astrophotography Talk 2020

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Last week our club president Joe Dougherty presented his ever-popular Astrophotography Talk where he gave a basic overview of what astrophotography is and how it works, as well as showcased Read More…

WMCC – Hoffleit Observatory Update June 2020

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Lots of progress has been occurring during quarantine on LHAAC’s Hoffleit Observatory with a brief summary below. Suffice to say future star parties at White Memorial will be getting a Read More…

Club News for 5/15/20

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Coming Events and Star Parties: – 05/15/20: Star Party online via Facebook, 8:00pm; talk topic: Our Magnetic Sun– 06/19/20: Star Party at White Memorial, 8:00pm; talk topic: to be announced– Read More…

Members brave single digit temps to capture lunar eclipse

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Club members Denis Williamson, Mark Croce, Jamie Caron, and Liam O’Brien were on the scene the night of January 20th to view the last lunar eclipse for North America until May Read More…

LHAAC Art Show – Starlight: Astronomy meets art

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The LHAAC will be having a gallery show at Five Points Gallery Annex from November 16th through the 25th. Opening night reception is Friday, November 16th 6-8:30pm (refreshments will be served). Come Read More…

Top Astrophotography Targets for March 2018

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M3 – Messier 3 Wikipedia DSO-Browser M3 is a globular cluster in the constellation Canes Venatici. This is a great object for beginners, it is quite bright and can produce Read More…

Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club