Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area is an Illinois state park, also known as Dolan Lake, about 118 miles (190 km) southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. Please note that while there are no designated stargazing areas, the park is accessible by the public year-round and offers secluded grass areas, picnic spots, and plenty of lake shoreline, excellent for boating and fishing, with wide open night skies suited for gazing; Dolan Lake is the main attraction of the park. Camping is also available from a selection of camping, campsites, cabins, and other lodging options. For more information, please visit online or call 618-773-4340.
Deborah Byrd
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About the Author:
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.