Astronomy and Physics

UIS to celebrate National Astronomy Day and host accessible stargazing event May 3-4

bwood8 — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:53:56 +0000

UIS to celebrate National Astronomy Day and host accessible stargazing event May 3-4 bwood8 Wed, 04/23/2025 - 08:53

UIS Friday Night Star Parties return this spring

bwood8 — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 15:39:34 +0000

UIS Friday Night Star Parties return this spring bwood8 Mon, 02/24/2025 - 09:39

UIS Friday Night Star Parties return after Labor Day

bwood8 — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 15:27:38 +0000

UIS Friday Night Star Parties return after Labor Day bwood8 Thu, 08/29/2024 - 10:27

UIS Astronomy-Physics program invites the public to attend Friday Night Star Parties

bwood8 — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:50:06 +0000

UIS Astronomy-Physics program invites the public to attend Friday Night Star Parties bwood8 Mon, 02/12/2024 - 08:50

Spring Star Party (04/19)

jmart5 — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 05:18:09 +0000

Spring Star Party (04/19) jmart5 Thu, 02/01/2024 - 23:18

The UIS Astronomy-Physics program will host a Star Party the UIS Campus Observatory on April 19, 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.

The UIS Campus Observatory is on the roof of Brookens Library, accessible through a door labeled "Observatory" on the southeast corner of the building. If you are at the front of the library facing the UIS Fountain and Sangamon Auditorium, put your left hand on the wall of the library building and walk about a third of the way around the outside of the building to the Observatory entrance. Be prepared for four flights of stairs to reach the observatory on the roof.

The event is weather dependent and may be called for clouds or rain. Call 217/206-8342 on the evening of the event or check our Twitter feed (@UISObservatory) or Dr Martin's Instagram for weather information.

This Star Party is free and open for everyone. Guests will be admitted on a first come first serve basis.

When

Fri, Apr 19 2024, 8 - 10pm

Location

UIS Campus Observatory

Event Type

Campus

Star Parties

Department

Astronomy and Physics

Spring Star Party (03/15)

jmart5 — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 05:15:11 +0000

Spring Star Party (03/15) jmart5 Thu, 02/01/2024 - 23:15

The UIS Astronomy-Physics program will host a Star Party the UIS Campus Observatory on March 15, 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.

This Star Party is free and open for everyone. Guests will be admitted on a first come first serve basis.

When

Fri, Mar 15 2024, 8 - 10pm

Location

UIS Campus Observatory

Event Type

Campus

Star Parties

Department

Astronomy and Physics

Spring Star Party (02/16)

jmart5 — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 05:11:11 +0000

Spring Star Party (02/16) jmart5 Thu, 02/01/2024 - 23:11

The UIS Astronomy-Physics program will host a Star Party the UIS Campus Observatory on February 16, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Right now the weather forecast for Friday is marginal. If we have clouds or accumulated snow we will cancel. We will wait until this afternoon to decide. If we cancel, notice will be posted no later than 6 pm on Dr. Martin’s Instagram and as a phone message at 217/206-8342.

This Star Party is free and open for everyone. Guests will be admitted on a first come first serve basis.

When

Fri, Feb 16 2024, 7 - 9pm

Location

UIS Campus Observatory

Event Type

Campus

Star Parties

Department

Astronomy and Physics

Spring Star Parties

jmart5 — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 04:59:19 +0000

Spring Star Parties jmart5 Thu, 02/01/2024 - 22:59

Spring Star Party Events in 2025

This is the page for Star Parties held once a month at the Campus Observatory during the spring semester.

We are not taking reservations for Spring Star Parties. Walk-ups will be admitted on a first come first serve basis.

The dates for Spring Star parties in 2025 are:

March 7 (8-10 pm)
April 4 (8-10 pm)

Star Party FAQs

Where is the UIS Campus Observatory?

The Campus Observatory is on the roof of Brookens Library. The entry to the observatory is on the southeast corner of the building.

If you are at the front of the building facing the UIS fountain, put your left side toward the building and walk about one third of the way around it to a door clearly marked “Observatory.” This door will be open for the event. Walk through the open door and up five flights of stairs to the roof.

Brookens Library is building #1 on the campus map. The door for the observatory is on the southeast corner (lower right on the map) of the building. We suggest parking in Lot B or Lot C.

Is there elevator access to the Campus Observatory?

Elevator access is not available during a star party. During Star Parties, visitors are required to climb up and down four flights of stairs AND a short 5 ft ladder up to the main telescope dome.

If you or a loved one that wants to attend a Star Party has trouble with stairs or ladders, please call 217-206-8342 and ask about our Sunday Night Star Parties for people with disabilities. These Sunday Night Star Parties are fully accessible and require no stair or ladder climbing.

What happens if it is cloudy?

We need clear skies to show you the stars at Star Party. People who are registered in advance for Star Parties will be notified if there is a change in plans because of the weather. We will try our best to give notice of a change no later than an hour before scheduled start time.

Information about weather-related changes will be available by calling 217-206-8342 at least one hour before the scheduled start on the night of the Star Party or by checking Dr. Martin's Instagram.

There are no events at this time. Check back soon!

After Work Moon Viewing

jmart5 — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 16:55:44 +0000

After Work Moon Viewing jmart5 Fri, 01/05/2024 - 10:55

This event has been *cancelled* for clouds and weather.

Join us at the Campus Observatory after work to view the Moon through the 16-inch telescope. The event is weather permitting and may be cancelled if it is too cloudy or inclement weather.

Check @SPIAstroGuy on Instagram for updates.

For this event enter the Campus Observatory through the landing on the 5th floor of Brookens Library. Enter on the main level of the library itself and take the elevator (in the library) or the main stair case up to the 5th floor landing. The entrance to the Campus Observatory is a marked door by the elevator.

When

Thu, Jan 18 2024, 5 - 6pm

Location

UIS Campus Observatory

Event Type

Star Parties

Department

Astronomy and Physics

UIS to host a partial solar eclipse watch party

bwood8 — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 16:16:02 +0000

UIS to host a partial solar eclipse watch party bwood8 Mon, 10/09/2023 - 11:16