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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 10h

A fun time at Star Party tonight (10/2). People enjoyed Saturn 🪐 and other sights in cool temperatures under clear skies. Next Star Party is Friday October 9. Go.uis.edu/starparties

A sign that says tonight the big telescope is focused on Saturn more than 470 million miles away.

A whiteboard that has pictures that people drew of what they saw at Star Party on October 2, 2026

An image of Saturn 🪐 taken through the telescope at Star Party on October 2, 2026

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 17h

The sky is clear and we are expecting to see stars tonight. Join us at the UIS campus Observatory between 8 and 10 PM for a star party.. more information at the link Go.uis.edu/starparties

The weather is perfect for our party tonight on October 2. join us between 8 and 10 PM at the UIS campus Observatory

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The weather forecast for Star Party tonight (10/2) is looking very good. But the Moon won’t be up tonight (will probably feature Saturn 🪐) so we snapped some pics while setting up the 14-inch the morning. See the alt text for descriptions. Go.uis.edu/starparties

The almost third-quarter phased moon in the morning sky on October 2

The surface of the Moon centered on the large crater Copernicus.

The sun rising on the lunar Alps near the Moon’s terminator .

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Star Party Tonight October 2, from 8-10 pm at the UIS Campus Observatory weather permitting. The forecast is for clear skies. Check back here and at the link in the profile for updates. Go.uis.edu/starparties

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Welcome October 2026, the date in Ray Bradbury’s final chapter of the Martian Chronicles. It has a melancholy yet hopeful ending as Timothy and his family look into the water and see the Martians looking back at them. Happy October 2026. Read it here: lasp.colorado.edu/mop/files/20...

lasp.colorado.edu

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

This is a random patch of the Milky Way in the constellation Cygnus imaged by the UIS Research Observatory wide field camera. The camera wasn’t aligned as we took spectra 59 Cyg so we got this. 🤷‍♂️ Always amazing how the faint glow of the Milky Way resolves into more stars than you can count.

A patch of the Milky Way in the constellation Cygnus resolves into more stars than you can count.

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Reposted by UIS Observatory

Colette Delawalla, PhD @cdelawalla.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

People have asked why we aren't involved with Neil deGrasse Tyson...this is why. @standupforscience.net does not endorse candidates with accusations of sexual misconduct and we do not collaborate with people who have accusations of sexual misconduct. PERIOD. Welcome to the matriarchy.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Next Star Party ⭐️🎉 at the UIS Campus Observatory is Friday October 2 from 8-10 pm weather permitting. The weather forecast is very favorable right now. 🤞 For info: Go.uis.edu/starparties

UIS Friday night star parties at the UIS campus Observatory from 8 PM to 10 PM. Weather permitting on October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.

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Reposted by UIS Observatory

Kym @ The Evening Sky Map @skymaps.com · 29/09/2026

💫 The October 2026 edition of The Evening Sky Map (PDF) is available for download at skymaps.com/tesm/. It features easy-to-use sky maps for the northern & southern hemispheres, and equatorial regions. Enjoy exploring the night sky! 🔭 #stargazing #space #nightsky

The Evening Sky Map is a circular all-sky star chart showing constellations, the Milky Way, planets, horizon directions and deep-sky objects depicted by symbols with an accompanying legend, plus a left-column sky calendar listing lunar and planetary events and viewing times.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The waning gibbous moon last night imaged by the UIS Research Observatory wide field camera🌖

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The clouds are too much for the star party tonight. Not even the full moon will be visible through this. But if you want to see the replay of last year‘s Tsukimi Harvest Moon Star Party then check out the link below: Go.uis.edu/virtualstarparty

The star party for September 25, 2026 is canceled due to clouds. The next Star party will be on October 2.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The weather update on Friday afternoon is there may be some broken clouds later this evening but the chances are small. Still we will wait until at least 6 pm to make the final call. Updates here and at the link Go.uis.edu/starparties

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The weather for Friday looks pretty cloudy. But check in here and at the link for updates about the weather and the Friday Tsukimi Harvest Moon Star Party Go.uis.edu/starparties

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This Friday 9/25 is the second annual Tsukimi Harvest Moon Star Party ⭐️🎉🌕. Join us Friday 9/25 from 8-10 pm weather permitting to view the Moon! See link for updates and info: Go.uis.edu/starparties

The Tsukimi harvest Moon star party at the uis campus observatory on September 25 from 8 to 10 PM. Weather permitting. in memory of Denyce Gammell and sponsored by Dr. Marjorie Wallé

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Here is an image of the surface of the Moon last night through the campus observatory 14-inch telescope (before the clouds) You can see the Sea of Tranquility, the Apollo 11 landing site, and “Illinois” on the Moon. Want more? Check out last night’s stream: go.uis.edu/virtualstarparty

An image of the lunar surface centered on the sea of tranquility.

An image of the lunar surface centered on the sea of tranquility with the sea tranquility, the Apollo 11 landing site, and Illinois on the moon annotated

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

It is pretty, but it sure doesn’t star party weather. Sorry, everyone star party for tonight September 18 has been canceled due to incoming clouds. As a consolation, join us at the link below where we are going to are going to live stream the moon as long as we can. Go.uis.edu/virtualstarparty

The sun seen through the clouds on the western horizon with the UIS campus observatory dome in the foreground

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

The cloud situation is looking worse, but we’re gonna wait till 7 PM to make the final call about whether we have star party tonight or not .

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The thunderstorms popping up in Quincy Illinois right now do not look friendly. They are our biggest threat to start party tonight. We’re going to see how they develop and will let you know as soon as we can figure it out.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

It is clear in Springfield right now, but we are worried about thunderstorms popping up around us between 6 and 7 PM. We will keep an eye on it and let you know if we are going to be open between 8 and 10 PM tonight. Check back here or at the link below. Go.uis.edu/starparties

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

We are watching the weather for Friday night Star Party 9/18 We will have weather updates at our web page and decide by 6 pm tomorrow. Go.uis.edu/starparties

go.uis.edu

Star Party September 18

Announcment that Star Party is ON.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Next Friday Night Star Party is coming up September 18 from 8-10 pm weather permitting. Go.uis.edu/starparties See the link in the profile.

A graphic for UIS star parties at the campus Observatory on Friday nights in September and October from 8 to 10 PM. Weather permitting.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

This is the week that the setting Sun shines through the Capitol Dome onto Capitol Ave in Springfield. Be out there by 6:30 pm. Be ready to chase it. Watch out for traffic! Attached maps show where on Capitol Ave is your best shot each evening.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Sorry to say we’ve got too many clouds so Star Party is canceled this week. 😢 We will try again next Friday, Sept 18. Go.uis.edu/starparties

Cloudy weather is canceled the star party on September 11, 2026

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

There is a fair degree of uncertainty in the weather forecast for Friday. Check back here for updates about if the telescopes will be open for Star Party on Sept. 11 Go.uis.edu/starparties

go.uis.edu

Fall Star Parties

Friday Night Star Party Events in 2026 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 nigh...

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

The next Friday Night Star Party ⭐️🎉is on September 11 from 8 to 10 PM at the campus observatory weather permitting. For more information see our website: Go.uis.edu/starparties

Friday night star parties at the campus Observatory this fall from 8 to 10 PM on September 4, September 11, September 18, September 25, October 2 October 9, October 16, October 23 and October 30 weather permitting

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

An image taken on Thursday by the UIS research observatory wide field camera of a rich field of stars in the plane of the Milky Way around star clusters NGC 7790 and NGC 7788. The second image is annotated to identify the star clusters.

A rich Star fiel in the constellation Cassiopeia with many stars result in the Milky Way, including two star clusters

A rich Star fiel in the constellation Cassiopeia with many stars result in the Milky Way, including two star clusters.
Several stars and the clusters are identified with annotations.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

A few pictures of the Andromeda Galaxy take by the UIS Research Observatory on Thursday night in parallel to images being taken for the luminous stars survey.

The andromeda galaxy and satellite galaxy m32 with the UiS observatory’s wide field camera

The northern half of the Andromeda Galaxy taken with the UIS Observatory wide field camera

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The Moon has been visible in the morning sky all week. If it’s clear in the morning look for the Moon. We snapped this shot from Campus on Friday.

An image of the almost third-quarter moon in the morning sky at about 10 AM CDT on Friday September 4, 2026

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The temperature on the deck has just fallen below 90° F which means we’re going to be able to set up at least one telescope tonight. But it’s going to be hot, so bring water if you come. We are open between 8 PM and 10 PM go.uis.edu/starparties

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

You’re probably sick of seeing these by now, but the heat wave continues and it’s over 100 F on the deck of the campus observatory on the roof Brookens library.

Dial thermometer showing that the temperature is greater than 100 F

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Tonight, Fri, Sep 4 is our first star party ⭐️🎉 of the fall season. Tonight is Charlie’s night for honor founder Charlie Schweighauser. From 8 - 10 PM. We open whether it is clear or cloudy, but no telescopes with good sky. So follow up here or at the link for updates. go.uis.edu/starparties

Star party on Friday, September 4 is Charlie’s night. We are open from 8 to 10 PM at the UIS Campus Observatory.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The weather forecast Friday Star Party Sept 4 is for HOT. Since we are on a roof we are monitoring that. Also concerns about smoke aloft and clouds. Stay tuned here for updates.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Fall Star Party season kicks off this Friday (9/4) with Charlie’s Night. Stop by and look through the telescopes at the newly renamed Charles A Schweighauser Campus Observatory between 8-10 pm weather permitting. Go.uis.edu/starparties

The first star party of the season is Friday, September 4 when we’ll have Charles night between 8 and 10 PM at the campus Observatory weather permitting

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Well I showed up because New Philadelphia is one of the coolest things happening in east central Illinois. The Moon came out for a bit and we could point out the Big and Little Dippers to everyone.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

The weather didn’t cooperate for telescope viewing in Pittsfield this evening. The Rangers will still talk about the underground railroad in Central Illinois, but we won’t have the telescopes out.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Join us at the Pittsfield Lake campground in Pittsfield, IL on Saturday (8/29) for starry skies and freedom stories. At 8 o’clock, there will be a presentation by National Park Park Rangers about the New Philadelphia and the underground railroad in Central Illinois. www.nps.gov/planyourvisi...

An artistic rendition of a Black woman and a Black child sitting in a flowering field, looking at a starry sky that contains the big dipper and the North Star

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Some pictures taken by UIS research observatory, a wide field camera during last night‘s partial lunar eclipse.

The Moon in a partial lunar eclipse with a bright slipper and a reddish tint to the rest of the Moon

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Reposted by UIS Observatory

UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

It looks like the weather may be good for viewing Thursday’s (8/27) partial lunar eclipse. It is visible from Illinois with maximum coverage (96%) at 11:12 pm CDT. See the graphic for times. Remember you don’t need equipment to view a lunar eclipse.

A graph of the times for Thursday’s lunar eclipse in Central daylight time

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Some of you might have noticed the new sign on the Campus Observatory door designating it as the Charles A Schweighauser Campus Observatory. Our first Friday Night Star party on September 4 will be named Charles night in honor of the founder of our parties.

New sign next to the campus Observatory says Charles A Schweighauser Observatory

Our first Friday night start party on September 4 from 8-10 pm is going be Charlie’s Night.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

The planet, Venus and the crescent moon 🌙 at sunset last night (8/17)

A horizon with the fading light of day and colors of sunset. There is a bright planet Venus (on the right) about the same level above the horizon as the crescent moon on the left

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

We have a good chance at some clear skies tonight (Monday Aug 17) without a lot of hay or smoke for the first time in a few weeks. If you are outside right after sunset, look for the plant Venus, the star Spica, and the crescent Moon 🌙 all in a row.

The planet Venus, the star Spica and the crescent Moon 🌙 in a row above the southwestern horizon at 8 PM on August 17

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

The weather did not behave for the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower last night but the shower will be active for another week. This is a time-lapse loop from Tuesday night a day before the peak that captures about 30 meteors over 40 minutes.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

The Perseid Meteor Shower tonight (8/12) at Lincoln Memorial Garden is CANCELLED. The clouds and high altitude smoke are too much to give you good meteor watching and telescope viewing.

The August 12 star party at Lincoln Memorial Gardens is canceled due to bad weather

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Friends the only correct answer for music to listen to during an eclipse is Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon 🌑

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Reposted by UIS Observatory

European Space Agency @esa.int · 12/08/2026

🤔What is a total solar eclipse? 🔜A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth. The Moon blocks light from the Sun and casts a shadow on Earth. Find out more www.esa.int/Science_Expl... #EuropeanSolarEclipse

Diagram showing how a total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow onto Earth.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

A time lapse from our global meteor network camera August 10 captured 39 meteors from the Perseid meteor shower. You can tell the meteors apart from the planes and satellites because the meteors are the really quick streaks that flash top to bottom of the frame.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Sweating through almost 80 F with 90% relative humidity, haze and corn sweat after dark to try to see a few Perseids Meteors is a rite of passage for Astronomy enthusiasts in central Illinois.

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UIS Observatory @uisobservatory.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

A reminder that the Perseid Meteor Shower Star Party is Wednesday 8/12 from 8:30-10 pm at Lincoln Memorial Garden. Check back here or the Star Party web page for updates on the weather. Go.uis.edu/starparties

Perseid meteor shower star party at Lincoln Memorial Gardens on Wednesday, August 12 from 8:30 to 10 PM weather permit

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