UIS Observatory
@uisobservatory.bsky.social
This account does not express the opinions of the U of Illinois. It is the home of UIS Friday Night Star Parties ⭐️🎉 and other outreach and research by Prof Martin. Go.uis.edu/starparties
We saw Saturn at after work star party tonight. Student, Xyn Niewohner captured this image of Saturn, and five of its moons through our 14 inch telescope at the campus observatory.
December 5, 2025 at 12:02 AM
We saw Saturn at after work star party tonight. Student, Xyn Niewohner captured this image of Saturn, and five of its moons through our 14 inch telescope at the campus observatory.
After work star parties at the UIS Campus Observatory this week are on Dec 1, 2, & 4 from 5-6 pm weather permitting.
Everyone welcome. Entry through Library 5th floor.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Mon + Tues look bad but got a shot 12/4.
Next week we give try on 12/8, 12/9 & 12/10
Everyone welcome. Entry through Library 5th floor.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Mon + Tues look bad but got a shot 12/4.
Next week we give try on 12/8, 12/9 & 12/10
December 1, 2025 at 4:53 PM
After work star parties at the UIS Campus Observatory this week are on Dec 1, 2, & 4 from 5-6 pm weather permitting.
Everyone welcome. Entry through Library 5th floor.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Mon + Tues look bad but got a shot 12/4.
Next week we give try on 12/8, 12/9 & 12/10
Everyone welcome. Entry through Library 5th floor.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Mon + Tues look bad but got a shot 12/4.
Next week we give try on 12/8, 12/9 & 12/10
The Moon 🌓 is near Saturn 🪐 tonight and tomorrow. Check out both with binoculars or a small telescope.
November 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
The Moon 🌓 is near Saturn 🪐 tonight and tomorrow. Check out both with binoculars or a small telescope.
Our imaging camera has returned to us repaired! To prepare for putting it back into service I cleaned the filters in the filter wheel. The filters reflect the colors they don’t let through which is why the B filter looks gold and the R filter looks blue.
November 25, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Our imaging camera has returned to us repaired! To prepare for putting it back into service I cleaned the filters in the filter wheel. The filters reflect the colors they don’t let through which is why the B filter looks gold and the R filter looks blue.
This work made use of a large custom catalog of massive luminous stars in the LMC which we constructed ourselves.
November 24, 2025 at 5:57 PM
This work made use of a large custom catalog of massive luminous stars in the LMC which we constructed ourselves.
Join us the first two weeks in December for After Work Star Parties from 5-6 PM on the days listed weather permitting.
Access to the campus Observatory during these events will be through the 5th floor of Brookens Library (not the usual start party entrance).
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Access to the campus Observatory during these events will be through the 5th floor of Brookens Library (not the usual start party entrance).
Go.uis.edu/starparties
November 22, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Join us the first two weeks in December for After Work Star Parties from 5-6 PM on the days listed weather permitting.
Access to the campus Observatory during these events will be through the 5th floor of Brookens Library (not the usual start party entrance).
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Access to the campus Observatory during these events will be through the 5th floor of Brookens Library (not the usual start party entrance).
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Looks like we are in for some cloudy weather for at least a few days. Here are two shots we took last week of the Bow Tie nebula and the Orion Nebula.
November 19, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Looks like we are in for some cloudy weather for at least a few days. Here are two shots we took last week of the Bow Tie nebula and the Orion Nebula.
Thursday I visited Christine Flynn’s fifth grade classroom at Saint Patrick elementary school in Springfield to demonstrate and explore how craters are formed.
People ask, “how can we get to you to visit?”. The answer is “invite me!”
People ask, “how can we get to you to visit?”. The answer is “invite me!”
November 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Thursday I visited Christine Flynn’s fifth grade classroom at Saint Patrick elementary school in Springfield to demonstrate and explore how craters are formed.
People ask, “how can we get to you to visit?”. The answer is “invite me!”
People ask, “how can we get to you to visit?”. The answer is “invite me!”
We had a good week at the Research Observatory with two clear nights and spectra for Psi Perseus and Beta Pisces.
Capped the week Friday by hosting the campus interest group for an evening of telescope viewing through the 20-inch telescope.
Capped the week Friday by hosting the campus interest group for an evening of telescope viewing through the 20-inch telescope.
November 15, 2025 at 3:55 AM
We had a good week at the Research Observatory with two clear nights and spectra for Psi Perseus and Beta Pisces.
Capped the week Friday by hosting the campus interest group for an evening of telescope viewing through the 20-inch telescope.
Capped the week Friday by hosting the campus interest group for an evening of telescope viewing through the 20-inch telescope.
A time lapse of the aurora display on the night of November 11, 2025 captured by the meteor camera at the UIS Field station at Lake Springfield.
November 12, 2025 at 3:07 PM
A time lapse of the aurora display on the night of November 11, 2025 captured by the meteor camera at the UIS Field station at Lake Springfield.
We used the 20-inch telescope last night to record spectra of the Be star Psi Persei.
November 6, 2025 at 1:27 PM
We used the 20-inch telescope last night to record spectra of the Be star Psi Persei.
The waxing gibbous Moon was bright and beautiful last night. We took this image with the wide field camera at the UIS research observatory.
It was a productive night. We also took spectra of the star beta Pisces with the 20 inch telescope.
Full moon (beaver moon) is tomorrow, November 5, 2025
It was a productive night. We also took spectra of the star beta Pisces with the 20 inch telescope.
Full moon (beaver moon) is tomorrow, November 5, 2025
November 4, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The waxing gibbous Moon was bright and beautiful last night. We took this image with the wide field camera at the UIS research observatory.
It was a productive night. We also took spectra of the star beta Pisces with the 20 inch telescope.
Full moon (beaver moon) is tomorrow, November 5, 2025
It was a productive night. We also took spectra of the star beta Pisces with the 20 inch telescope.
Full moon (beaver moon) is tomorrow, November 5, 2025
The waxing gibbous Moon is out tonight, November 2, 2026.
When I look at the Moon, I find the southwest corner of the Sea of Tranquility where the first people walked on the Moon and hope we get to that again someday soon. We’ve been waiting more than 50 years since the last crewed trip to the Moon.
When I look at the Moon, I find the southwest corner of the Sea of Tranquility where the first people walked on the Moon and hope we get to that again someday soon. We’ve been waiting more than 50 years since the last crewed trip to the Moon.
November 3, 2025 at 1:12 AM
The waxing gibbous Moon is out tonight, November 2, 2026.
When I look at the Moon, I find the southwest corner of the Sea of Tranquility where the first people walked on the Moon and hope we get to that again someday soon. We’ve been waiting more than 50 years since the last crewed trip to the Moon.
When I look at the Moon, I find the southwest corner of the Sea of Tranquility where the first people walked on the Moon and hope we get to that again someday soon. We’ve been waiting more than 50 years since the last crewed trip to the Moon.
It’s that time of year for mobiles in physics lab. This week the ASP 201 University physics students were applying an understanding of torque and balance to design their mobiles. Next week they will build them and we share the results.
October 30, 2025 at 10:10 PM
It’s that time of year for mobiles in physics lab. This week the ASP 201 University physics students were applying an understanding of torque and balance to design their mobiles. Next week they will build them and we share the results.
A colorful star field on a dreary day. This is an image of the Starfield around star Pi Aquarius, which was imaged with the UIS research observatory wide field camera last Thursday while taking a spectrum of that star.
October 28, 2025 at 8:57 PM
A colorful star field on a dreary day. This is an image of the Starfield around star Pi Aquarius, which was imaged with the UIS research observatory wide field camera last Thursday while taking a spectrum of that star.
We are sorry to say that there are too many clouds for us tonight. Start party for October 24 has been canceled. Thank you to everybody for a wonderful fall 2025 season.
If you want a star party fix follow the link below to a record recording of our October 3 star party.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
If you want a star party fix follow the link below to a record recording of our October 3 star party.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
October 24, 2025 at 10:18 PM
We are sorry to say that there are too many clouds for us tonight. Start party for October 24 has been canceled. Thank you to everybody for a wonderful fall 2025 season.
If you want a star party fix follow the link below to a record recording of our October 3 star party.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
If you want a star party fix follow the link below to a record recording of our October 3 star party.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
The last Friday night star party of the 2025 season is tonight October 24 from 8-10PM at the UIS Campus Observatory weather permitting.
Clouds are supposed to be moving in late this afternoon, but possible their arrival is delayed and we squeak in star party tonight.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Clouds are supposed to be moving in late this afternoon, but possible their arrival is delayed and we squeak in star party tonight.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
October 24, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The last Friday night star party of the 2025 season is tonight October 24 from 8-10PM at the UIS Campus Observatory weather permitting.
Clouds are supposed to be moving in late this afternoon, but possible their arrival is delayed and we squeak in star party tonight.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Clouds are supposed to be moving in late this afternoon, but possible their arrival is delayed and we squeak in star party tonight.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Final star party of the fall 2025 Friday night star party season Oct 24 from 8 to 10 PM at the US campus Observatory weather permitting.
Hoping clear weather we’ve enjoyed for several days lasts but it is not for certain.
Check back here on Friday afternoon about the weather.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Hoping clear weather we’ve enjoyed for several days lasts but it is not for certain.
Check back here on Friday afternoon about the weather.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
October 23, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Final star party of the fall 2025 Friday night star party season Oct 24 from 8 to 10 PM at the US campus Observatory weather permitting.
Hoping clear weather we’ve enjoyed for several days lasts but it is not for certain.
Check back here on Friday afternoon about the weather.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Hoping clear weather we’ve enjoyed for several days lasts but it is not for certain.
Check back here on Friday afternoon about the weather.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Last night we used the 20 inch telescope to gather spectra of the star 59 Cygni. We took the deep image of the field around 59 Cygni using the wide field camera in parallel.
October 23, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Last night we used the 20 inch telescope to gather spectra of the star 59 Cygni. We took the deep image of the field around 59 Cygni using the wide field camera in parallel.
On Tuesday, the introductory astronomy class went up to the campus Observatory to get a first hand look at the Sun through the solar telescope. Student Carl Bryant snapped this picture with his phone.
Note all the prominences around the edge of the Sun.☀️
Note all the prominences around the edge of the Sun.☀️
October 22, 2025 at 4:03 PM
On Tuesday, the introductory astronomy class went up to the campus Observatory to get a first hand look at the Sun through the solar telescope. Student Carl Bryant snapped this picture with his phone.
Note all the prominences around the edge of the Sun.☀️
Note all the prominences around the edge of the Sun.☀️
Let’s go! Next UIS Friday Night Star Party ⭐️🎉 is this Friday, October 24 from 8-10 pm at the Campus Observatory (weather permitting).
Hoping for good weather 🤞
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Hoping for good weather 🤞
Go.uis.edu/starparties
October 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Let’s go! Next UIS Friday Night Star Party ⭐️🎉 is this Friday, October 24 from 8-10 pm at the Campus Observatory (weather permitting).
Hoping for good weather 🤞
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Hoping for good weather 🤞
Go.uis.edu/starparties
A small group of Springfieldians gathered at the top of the hill in Centennial Park tonight to try to see Comet Lemmon. It was visible with binoculars but a real challenge with the unaided eye.
October 20, 2025 at 2:15 AM
A small group of Springfieldians gathered at the top of the hill in Centennial Park tonight to try to see Comet Lemmon. It was visible with binoculars but a real challenge with the unaided eye.
The Adler Planetarium is not on this platform so I am sharing their graphic, all credit to them.
Comet Lemmon is getting brighter. You need a good flat northern horizon. Use the Big Dipper to find it. Ppl have told me they can’t see it yet naked eye but it is visible as a fuzz in photos.
Comet Lemmon is getting brighter. You need a good flat northern horizon. Use the Big Dipper to find it. Ppl have told me they can’t see it yet naked eye but it is visible as a fuzz in photos.
October 18, 2025 at 9:18 PM
The Adler Planetarium is not on this platform so I am sharing their graphic, all credit to them.
Comet Lemmon is getting brighter. You need a good flat northern horizon. Use the Big Dipper to find it. Ppl have told me they can’t see it yet naked eye but it is visible as a fuzz in photos.
Comet Lemmon is getting brighter. You need a good flat northern horizon. Use the Big Dipper to find it. Ppl have told me they can’t see it yet naked eye but it is visible as a fuzz in photos.
We are hoping for good weather tonight for Star Party but being realistic about the prospects for telescope viewing.
If the weather is too cloudy, we will not open. A decision on that will be posted here by 6 PM.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
If the weather is too cloudy, we will not open. A decision on that will be posted here by 6 PM.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
October 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
We are hoping for good weather tonight for Star Party but being realistic about the prospects for telescope viewing.
If the weather is too cloudy, we will not open. A decision on that will be posted here by 6 PM.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
If the weather is too cloudy, we will not open. A decision on that will be posted here by 6 PM.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Two events at the UIS Campus Observatory this week.
Space & Astronomy interest group meeting on Thursday Oct 16, 12:30-1:30 pm
Friday Star Party, Oct 17, 8-10 pm weather permitting
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Space & Astronomy interest group meeting on Thursday Oct 16, 12:30-1:30 pm
Friday Star Party, Oct 17, 8-10 pm weather permitting
Go.uis.edu/starparties
October 13, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Two events at the UIS Campus Observatory this week.
Space & Astronomy interest group meeting on Thursday Oct 16, 12:30-1:30 pm
Friday Star Party, Oct 17, 8-10 pm weather permitting
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Space & Astronomy interest group meeting on Thursday Oct 16, 12:30-1:30 pm
Friday Star Party, Oct 17, 8-10 pm weather permitting
Go.uis.edu/starparties