UIS to hold a virtual star party on July 25

The University of Illinois Springfield Astronomy-Physics Program will broadcast a virtual star party live on Zoom (rain or shine) from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25.

The star party was originally scheduled to be held in-person at Lincoln Memorial Garden, but will instead take place in an online format due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy/physics, will give tips for finding bright planets, the Summer Triangle, the Big Dipper and other bright stars and constellations in the summer evening sky and answer astronomy questions submitted live. If weather permits, there will also be live views of the night sky and through telescopes.

The link for the Zoom event will be posted at go.uis.edu/summerstarparties and @UISObservatory on Twitter. Participants are encouraged to follow the Twitter account for updates.

The UIS Astronomy-Physics Program will also host a Perseid Meteor Shower viewing party on Aug. 11. This event will be virtual, if it cannot be held in person at Lincoln Memorial Garden. Please monitor the summer star parties website go.uis.edu/summerstarparties or @UISObservatory on Twitter for possible changes due to COVID-19 or weather conditions.

For more information on summer star parties, contact John Martin at 217-206-8342 or jmart5@uis.edu.

UIS Astronomy-Physics Program to co-host Summer Star Party at Centennial Park

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Astronomy-Physics Program and the Sangamon Astronomical Society will host a Star Party telescope viewing event to celebrate International Astronomy Day. The event is free and open to the public.

WHEN: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2019

WHERE: Centennial Park Tennis Courts, 5529 Bunker Hill Rd, Springfield

DETAILS: International Astronomy Day is a worldwide event that occurs each spring and fall. The UIS Astronomy-Physics Program will celebrate the day with telescope viewing at the Centennial Park Tennis Courts. On the evening of May 11, after sunset, the Moon and the planet Mars will be visible. The Sangamon Astronomical Society will be on hand to share views of the night sky through several telescopes including several favorite spring time objects like the Beehive Star Cluster and the globular star cluster M13.

The International Astronomy Day viewing event will begin at 8 p.m., however participants may arrive any time before 10 p.m. to see the show through telescopes and take guided tours of the summer sky.

This event may be cancelled due to cloudy weather. Questions about suitable weather viewing should be directed to 217/206-8342 after 6 p.m. on May 11. Updates will also be posted on the UIS Observatory Twitter feed (@UISObservatory).

For more information on other Summer Star Parties, visit go.uis.edu/summerstarparties. Questions may be directed to John Martin, UIS associate professor of Astronomy-Physics, at 217/206-8342 or jmart5@uis.edu.

UIS Friday Night Star Parties return in September

The University of Illinois Springfield’s popular Friday Night Star Parties will resume the Friday after Labor Day and run through the end of October. Those dates include: September 7, 14, 21 and 28 and October 5, 12, 19 and 26. Friday Night Star Parties are held from 8 to 10 p.m., weather permitting, at the UIS Observatory on the roof of Brookens Library.

Star Parties are hosted by John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy/physics. The observatory’s telescopes will be used to view a number of celestial objects, including the planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn; the Moon, when visible; the Ring Nebula; globular star clusters M13 and M15 and other double stars and star clusters.

A typical Star Party begins with a presentation as visitors ascend the stairs to the observatory, learning about galaxies, the sun and stars along the way. On the roof observation deck visitors are invited to view the skies through telescopes and ask questions. Participants are welcome to arrive and leave as they wish between 8-10 p.m.

Friday Night Star Parties are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required, and groups are encouraged to attend. The entrance to the campus observatory is located outside Brookens Library on the southeast corner of the building.

Star Parties may be canceled for cloudy weather. Questions about whether the weather is suitable for viewing should be directed to 217/206-8342 at 7 p.m. on the evening of the Star Party. Participants may also follow the UIS Observatory on Twitter (@UISObservatory) for updates.

For more information on Star Parties, email John Martin at jmart5@uis.edu or visit www.uis.edu/astronomy/about/starparties/.

UIS Summer Star Party at Lincoln Memorial Garden

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Astronomy-Physics Program and Lincoln Memorial Garden will host a special Star Party to view "Three Bright Planets and The Moon."

WHEN: 9 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 20

WHERE: Lincoln Memorial Garden, Crawly Meadow, 2301 East Lake Shore Drive, Springfield 

DETAILS: This summer throughout the month of July, the bright planets Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn dazzle the evening sky. Beginning July 20 through the following week, the first quarter moon joins them to put on a spectacular show for people to see "Three Bright Planets and The Moon" in the evening sky. Come any time between 9 and 11 p.m. to see the show through the telescopes and take guided tours of the summer sky.

This event will be cancelled for cloudy weather and rescheduled for the same time Saturday, July 21. 

Questions about suitable weather viewing should be directed to 217/206-8342 after 7 p.m. on July 20. Updates will also be posted on the UIS Observatory Twitter feed (@UISObservatory).

More information about this and other Summer Star Parties can be found at: https://go.uis.edu/summerstarparties

For more information on UIS Star Parties, contact John Martin, at 217/206-8342 or jmart5@uis.edu.