I've been hearing scattered reports from some of my email customers about dark skies around the country this last ten days or so. I have two things to say about this. First, good for them! I know and appreciate how rare and special a good night under the stars can be for an amateur astronomer. Second, when is it my turn? Pass some of that around, please. Okay, Chicago is not exactly the observing capitol of the world, but we deserve a dark sky every other month or so at least.

Sure, I entertain myself with videos, books and magazines on astronomy to fill in the gaps from one observing session to the next - most of us diehard astronomers do -but there is simply no substitute for seeing things for yourself, with your own eyes, no matter how small or diminutive the image. It's the difference between playing a sport and watching a sport, to put it familiar terms. The mind knows the difference and it responds accordingly.

Besides, I have some binos I want to star test. (As if I needed an excuse.)