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uisobservatory.bsky.social
UIS Observatory
@uisobservatory.bsky.social
58 followers 28 following 240 posts
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
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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.
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.
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
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
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
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.☀️
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
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.
Reposted by UIS Observatory
Higher Education’s Compact with America: Shared Principles for the Common Good https://bit.ly/3WbZv8K
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
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
Disappointed we didn’t have star party last night, but here’s a picture of the Starburst Galaxy that we took with the wide field camera earlier in the week. It’s called the Starburst Galaxy because it holds the record for hosting the more supernova observed than any other galaxy at seven.
Mood: Clouds ☁️
Sorry no Star Party tonight (Oct 10).
Too cloudy for telescope viewing ☁️☁️☁️
There is a capture of a previous virtual Star Party at the link for anyone needing a fix.
We will try again on Oct 17!

Go.uis.edu/starparties
Tonight’s Star Party is weather permitting (Friday, Oct 10 from 8-10 PM).
We are waiting to make a decision on the weather by 6 pm, but right now that forecast is for clouds ☁️☁️. If it is cloudy at star party time we will not be open. Check back here for updates.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
The next Star Party is this Friday, Oct 10 from 8 to 10 PM at the UIS Campus Observatory weather permitting.
Check back here on Friday to get information about the weather.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
Thanks to the 109 people who showed up tonight to share a views of the Moon during theTsukimi Harvest Moon Star Party.
A recording of the live stream can be found here:

www.youtube.com/live/Jav_91m...
The weather is looking good and we are a go for star party between 8 and 10 PM tonight at the campus Observatory.
We are going to live stream the star party tonight on our YouTube channel to join that between 8-10 CDT at this link
Go.uis.edu/virtualstarparty
Tonight (Oct 3) is the night for our Tsukimi Harvest Moon Star Party at the campus Observatory between 8 and 10 PM.
The forecast looks good. We will be open regardless of the weather.
Tonight’s star party is in memory of Denyce Gammell sponsored by Majorie Wallé, EdD.
Go.uis.edu/starparties
We love kids, their questions and their enthusiasm. A kid at the telescope becomes the center of attention. We answer all their questions. At Star party you can come and go as you want. It is easy to bail when they get restless. We tolerate moods with humor. We want everyone to have fun.