UIS Astronomy Observatory

Space & Astronomy Group Meeting

UIS Connections — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 10:50:02 +0000

Space & Astronomy Group Meeting

UIS Connections Sun, 09/07/2025 - 05:50

The campus Space & Astronomy Group is composed of faculty, staff, students, and community people who share an interest in outer space, space travel and astronomy. We have biweekly meetings at the Campus Observatory during the fall and spring semesters where we discuss our interest and plan other fun events to share with the larger community.

Meetings are open to anyone and people should feel free to drop in at any time over the hour.

To join us at the Campus Observatory for a meeting, go inside Brookens Library and take the main elevator or stairwell in the library up to the 5th floor. The Campus Observatory is the door marked next to the elevator.

When

Thu, Dec 4 2025, 12:30 - 1:30pm Google Outlook iCal

Department

UIS Astronomy Observatory

Event Type

UIS Connection

Event URL

Space & Astronomy Group Meeting

Location

Campus Observatory (5th Floor Brookens)

Space & Astronomy Group Meeting

UIS Connections — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 10:50:01 +0000

Space & Astronomy Group Meeting

UIS Connections Sun, 08/17/2025 - 05:50

Meetings are open to anyone and people should feel free to drop in at any time over the hour.

When

Thu, Nov 13 2025, 12:30 - 1:30pm Google Outlook iCal

Department

UIS Astronomy Observatory

Event Type

UIS Connection

Event URL

Space & Astronomy Group Meeting

Location

Campus Observatory (5th Floor Brookens)

Space & Astronomy Group Meeting

UIS Connections — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 10:50:01 +0000

Space & Astronomy Group Meeting

UIS Connections Sun, 08/03/2025 - 05:50

Meetings are open to anyone and people should feel free to drop in at any time over the hour.

When

Thu, Oct 30 2025, 12:30 - 1:30pm

Department

UIS Astronomy Observatory

Event Type

UIS Connection

Event URL

Space & Astronomy Group Meeting

Location

Campus Observatory (5th Floor Brookens)

Fall Star Parties

jbaum02s — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 14:32:10 +0000

Fall Star Parties jbaum02s Tue, 08/09/2022 - 09:32

Friday Night Star Party Events in 2025

Friday night Star Parties are held at the Campus Observatory on the roof of Brookens Library on Friday nights in September and October. The dates for Friday night star parties in 2025 are September 5, 12, 19, and 26 and October 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 8-10 p.m.

Note that these events are all weather dependent. See below for information about cloudy weather.

There are two specially themed star party events in Fall 2025

Charlie's Night (September 5)

The first star party of the season on Friday September 5 is "Charlie's Night" held in honor of the recently deceased founder of UIS Star Parties, Charlie Schweighauser. The evening will feature a special display of pictures and artifacts celebrating Charlie's legacy with Star Parties and astronomy education. The observatory will be open for people to see the displays even if the weather does not permit telescope viewing.

Tsukimi Harvest Moon Star Party (October 3)

The Star Party on Friday, October 3 will be the first annual Tsukimi Harvest Moon Star Party in memory of Denyce Gammell and sponsored by Dr. Marjorie Wallé, Ed.D. Tsukimi translates as “Moon viewing.” It is a traditional Japanese autumn harvest celebration around the time of the Full Moon closest to the fall equinox (also known as the Harvest Moon). Telescope viewing and activities that evening will be Moon themed and focused.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pre-register for Star Parties?

Star Parties are free and open for everyone. Generally we just do walk-ups and it is rare that we run up to the limit of people whom we can have on the roof at one time.

But if you are planning to bring a larger group (i.e. a scout group) you can contact Dr. Martin (jmart5@uis.edu, 217-206-8342) make sure there is space for your group on the night you plan to attend.

For general questions about Friday Night Star Parties call 217-206-8342.

Or check our BlueSky feed UISbservatory.bsky.social, X/Twitter feed @UISObservatory and on Dr. Martin's Instagram

What do you do 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 latter than 7 p.m.

There will also be a phone message at the number 217-206-8342 after 7:00 PM on the night of the Star Party.

Or you can get information and updates from our Twitter feed @UISObservatory and Dr. Martin's Instagram.

Stairs, Ladders & Bathrooms

Everyone attending a Star Party at the campus observatory should be advised that there are four(4) flights of stairs to climb to the roof. There is also a short 5 foot tall ladder to climb to get into the 14-inch telescope dome.

There are also NO convenient bathrooms near the Campus Observatory.

We apologize for inconvenience this may cause and want you to know that we do offer an accessible star party option, just not during regular Friday Night Star Parties. See below for more information.

Is there elevator access to the Campus Observatory for a Friday Night Star Parties?

For in person Star Parties at the campus observatory: No, not during a Friday Night Star Party. Visitors to a Friday Night Star Party must be able to climb up and down four flights of stairs AND climb 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 you should call 217-206-8342 and ask about our Sunday Night Star Parties for people with disabilities. Those Star Parties are fully accessible and require no stair or ladder climbing.

Are regular Friday Star Parties accessible?

If you are interested and you want to attend an accessible Star Party sometime in the future you are encouraged to express your interest. Please contact John Martin (217-206-8342) about Sunday Night accessible Star Parties.

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 hand on the building and walk about one third of the way around it to a door clearly marked “Observatory” which will be open for the event. The observatory is through that 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.