(Last updated May 21, 2026)
The Astronomical League was established on August 30, 1947. The North Central Region of the Astronomical League (NCRAL) was established concurrently. When a club decides to become a member of the Astronomical League, it automatically becomes a member of NCRAL. No fee is associated with belonging to NCRAL, and all benefits come at no additional cost.
Today NCRAL consists of approximately three dozen clubs or societies scattered across seven states in the upper Midwest. These states in the Region Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Astronomical League members-at-large are also part of the NCRAL membership. Altogether, there are some 2,400 individual NCRAL members.
The goals of NCRAL are numerous, but the most essential is the promotion of amateur astronomy and fellowship among its members. The Region does so through various means, but the most important are regional conventions, a quarterly newsletter, awards and grants programs, observing programs, and astronomy resource guides. These are described briefly below; details can be found on the Region’s website at https://ncral.org/ .
- Regional conventions are usually hosted each spring by one of the NCRAL clubs. Ideally a different club will serve as host each year and in this way provide an opportunity for members to visit and learn about the various observatories and communities within the NCRAL region. Each convention will have its own unique theme and agenda but generally consist of invited speakers, tours of nearby astronomical facilities and museums, observing sessions, imaging contests, club displays, contributed show-and-tell talks, and formal discussions, and include plenty of time for camaraderie. Business meetings provide updates and set the direction of the Region for the following year. A closing banquet is the setting for a keynote speaker and an awards ceremony where the various NCRAL awards are given out to honor the contributions and achievements of members.
- The Northern Lights newsletter is compiled by an appointed Editor. The newsletter is distributed electronically and at no cost in portable document format (PDF) to each club’s President, ALCor, and newsletter editor for dissemination to their club’s membership. Back issues of the newsletter can be found on the Region’s website.
- NCRAL blotter is a monthly newsletter for club presidents, ALCors, and newsletter editors. It is a publication of the NCRAL leadership, disseminated at the beginning of each month and posted shortly thereafter on the Region’s website. It consists of a bullet list of time sensitive and important items of interest which shouldn’t wait for dissemination though the Region’s newsletter.
- NCRAL Speakers Bureau is a list of potential speakers for meetings and other events for our Region’s clubs. Many of these individuals have expressed willingness to serve as speakers. Most are available for presentations over Zoom, though some might also be willing to attend club meetings and other events in-person. To arrange for a speaker, please contact the speaker directly through our NCRAL Speakers Bureau listing.
- Awards are available to recognize the contributions and achievements of NCRAL members. These awards are given out at the annual convention. The NCRAL Region Award is presented to members who have provided the most distinguished service to amateur astronomy within the North Central Region. The award comes with a plaque. The NCRAL Newsletter EditorAward recognizes the newsletter editor who best exemplifies the Region’s standards of what constitutes an outstanding newsletter. The newsletter award includes a certificate and a $50 prize to the sponsoring club in recognition that it takes more than just an excellent editor to have a fabulous newsletter; it also takes many contributors from within a club. Nomination deadline is typically the end of March each year. See the Region’s website for nomination guidelines and forms.
- Mini–grant programs assist in growing local and regional memberships. The Member Recruitment & Retention Grant provides up to $250 in financial support for clubs to recruit new members from among the public and to retain current members; the grant must include both aspects. The Affiliate Recruitment Grant provides up to $250 in financial support for affiliates to encourage non-affiliated clubs, societies, and associations to join the Astronomical League and, by default, NCRAL. This grant funds things such as meals, star parties, and joint meetings with the intent stated. Application deadline typically is the end of March each year. See the Region’s website for application forms.
- Observing programs specific to NCRAL are also available to encourage members to get out under the night sky and observe. In 2019, NCRAL approved four Seasonal Mini Messier Marathon observing programs, each with a certificate and pin. In 2023, NCRAL approved an Annual Messier Marathon observing program with three distinct levels of completion. It includes a special accommodation for our more northerly members.
- Astronomy resource guides were made available by Carl Wenning (distinguished member of Twin City Amateur Astronomers) and are available to all members of the North Central Region. Currently, there are 13 guides, most designed for the sake of boosting the hobby of amateur astronomy. Each guide may be modified to include an affiliate’s logo, header, and introduction. The guides are available in MS Word and PDF versions and are as follows:
| 1. Introduction to Amateur Astronomy 2. Membership and Benefits 3. Astronomy as a Hobby 4. The Art of Sky Interpretation 5. Coordinating [Public] Observing Sessions 6. Have a Successful Observing Session | 7. Buying Binoculars & Telescopes 8. Optimizing Deep Sky Observations 9. Introduction to DSLR-based Astrophotography 10. Introduction to Spherical Astronomy 11. Recruiting & Retaining Astronomy Club Membership 12. Introduction to Video-Based Astrophotography 13. Imaging with Dedicated Digital Astronomy Cameras |
If a club would like to publish these for free distribution please contact Carl Wenning at carlwenning@gmail.com.
- YouTube channel has been developed to provide a library of NCRAL meetings, discussions, interviews and virtual observing sessions.
Join the Astronomical League and automatically become a member of NCRAL. Visit this site for details: https://www.astroleague.org/membership.html
Alan Sheidler, NCRAL Chair, 21 May 2026
NCRAL Online 
