The University of Illinois Springfield Observatory will hold a virtual star party for the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 21.
The conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn is an infrequent event occurring when the "apparent" positions of the planets converge in the sky. Although they appear close together, Saturn will be at a distance of nearly 460 million miles behind Jupiter.
Normally, just one planet is visible through the telescope at a time, but for a few nights, both will be visible simultaneously in the same telescope field of view with their closest approach on Dec. 21.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on December 14, 2020.
Showing posts with label Star Parties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Star Parties. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Monday, September 14, 2020
UIS renovates observatory deck as virtual star parties continue
A new deck will welcome visitors when Star Parties resume in person at the University of Illinois Springfield Observatory.
The new deck, constructed of composite decking material that meets fire code regulations and reduces maintenance costs, replaces a wooden structure that was more than 40 years old. Usable floor space was maximized by relocating the entrance to the deck and moving benches closer to the walls. Other improvements include dimmable, red LED strip lighting and additional space added around the 14-inch telescope.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Star Parties can only be experienced through livestream online. They will continue every Friday in September and October from 8-9 p.m.
The new deck, constructed of composite decking material that meets fire code regulations and reduces maintenance costs, replaces a wooden structure that was more than 40 years old. Usable floor space was maximized by relocating the entrance to the deck and moving benches closer to the walls. Other improvements include dimmable, red LED strip lighting and additional space added around the 14-inch telescope.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Star Parties can only be experienced through livestream online. They will continue every Friday in September and October from 8-9 p.m.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 11, 2020.
Monday, August 10, 2020
Star party to view Perseid Meteor Shower will go virtual
The University of Illinois Springfield Astronomy-Physics Program will broadcast a virtual star party for the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower live on Zoom from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The broadcast will be held rain or shine.
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 viewing the Perseid meteors, finding bright planets, the Summer Triangle, the Big Dipper and other bright stars and constellations in summer evening sky and answer astronomy questions submitted live.
If weather permits, there will also be live views of the night sky Tuesday.
The link for the Zoom event will be posted at go.uis.edu/summerstarparties and @UISObservatory on Twitter.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on August 6, 2020.
The broadcast will be held rain or shine.
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 viewing the Perseid meteors, finding bright planets, the Summer Triangle, the Big Dipper and other bright stars and constellations in summer evening sky and answer astronomy questions submitted live.
If weather permits, there will also be live views of the night sky Tuesday.
The link for the Zoom event will be posted at go.uis.edu/summerstarparties and @UISObservatory on Twitter.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on August 6, 2020.
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
UIS moves next star party online
Virtual star parties continue at the University of Illinois Springfield.
The next star party will be broadcast live on Zoom (rain or shine) from 8:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 27. Originally scheduled to be held in-person, UIS decided to hold it online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The link for the Zoom event will be posted at go.uis.edu/summerstarparties and @UISObservatory on Twitter. Three other star parties are planned but at this point, those are set to be in-person.
The next star party will be broadcast live on Zoom (rain or shine) from 8:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 27. Originally scheduled to be held in-person, UIS decided to hold it online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The link for the Zoom event will be posted at go.uis.edu/summerstarparties and @UISObservatory on Twitter. Three other star parties are planned but at this point, those are set to be in-person.
This story aired on WICS Newschannel 20 on June 16, 2020..
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
UIS star party goes virtual
The University of Illinois Springfield says it is moving one of its summer star parties online.
The next star party will be broadcasted live on Zoom (rain or shine) from 8-9 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.
John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy/physics, will give tips for finding Venus, the Big Dipper, and other bright stars and constellations in the late spring and early summer evening sky and answer astronomy questions submitted live. The link for the Zoom event will be posted at go.uis.edu/summerstarparties and @UISObservatory on Twitter.
Three other star parties are planned but at this point, those are set to be in-person. The other star parties are set for June 27, July 25, and August 11 from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
This story aired on WICS Newschannel 20 on May 26, 2020.
Read the entire story online.
The next star party will be broadcasted live on Zoom (rain or shine) from 8-9 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.
John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy/physics, will give tips for finding Venus, the Big Dipper, and other bright stars and constellations in the late spring and early summer evening sky and answer astronomy questions submitted live. The link for the Zoom event will be posted at go.uis.edu/summerstarparties and @UISObservatory on Twitter.
Three other star parties are planned but at this point, those are set to be in-person. The other star parties are set for June 27, July 25, and August 11 from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
This story aired on WICS Newschannel 20 on May 26, 2020.
Read the entire story online.
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Susan Koch: Fundraising underway for much-needed renovations for UIS Observatory
The following is an excerpt from a column by University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Susan Koch. This column appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 7, 2019.
Since the University of Illinois Springfield was created nearly 50 years ago, engagement with the community has been central to its mission. That commitment continues to provide countless ways for area residents from preschoolers to seniors to learn, grow and enjoy by engaging in a variety of events and activities across the university calendar.
One of the most popular outreach activities of the University today is also one of the oldest. Star Parties, where visitors are invited to the UIS Observatory to view celestial objects and learn about science and astronomy, were started in 1977 by Professor Charlie Schweighauser, one of the early members of the then-Sangamon State University faculty.
“Everyone is intrigued by the sun, moon, planets and stars,” said Schweighauser (now retired), “and I saw astronomy as a gateway for making good science available to the public.”
The UIS Astronomy program possesses some of the finest equipment in the state, including a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and four smaller telescopes located on the observation deck atop Brookens Library.
Since the late 1970s, thousands of people of all ages have come to the UIS Observatory for Star Parties, as well as for special astronomical events like lunar and solar eclipses and comets.
At a typical Star Party, visitors learn about galaxies as well as star and constellation identification.
Staff and trained volunteers then assist guests in using the telescopes — enabling stargazers to observe objects of interest in the night sky.
It’s not unusual for the program to host 50 to 100 participants on a clear night.
There are even Star Parties for people with disabilities that feature the first telescope ever designed for wheelchair access.
Professor John Martin, who grew up in the Washington, D.C., area, has provided leadership for the Astronomy program since 2006.
“Starting my freshman year at UVA,” Martin said, “I would hang out during public viewings at the UVA Observatory — taking measurements and having fun. They eventually asked me to help out, and I worked there for four years. That was my Friday nights!”
After more than 40 years of Star Parties, fundraising is now underway for much-needed renovations of the UIS Observatory, including redesign and replacement of the original deck with composite material, improved accessibility for people of all abilities and re-imagining the telescope enclosure for more efficient use.
“It has been a joy helping kids look through our telescopes week after week, always with a fresh set of questions,” Martin said. “With these much-needed renovations, we’ll be able to satisfy the curiosity of stargazers young and old for the next 40 years and beyond.”
Read the entire column online.
Since the University of Illinois Springfield was created nearly 50 years ago, engagement with the community has been central to its mission. That commitment continues to provide countless ways for area residents from preschoolers to seniors to learn, grow and enjoy by engaging in a variety of events and activities across the university calendar.
One of the most popular outreach activities of the University today is also one of the oldest. Star Parties, where visitors are invited to the UIS Observatory to view celestial objects and learn about science and astronomy, were started in 1977 by Professor Charlie Schweighauser, one of the early members of the then-Sangamon State University faculty.
“Everyone is intrigued by the sun, moon, planets and stars,” said Schweighauser (now retired), “and I saw astronomy as a gateway for making good science available to the public.”
The UIS Astronomy program possesses some of the finest equipment in the state, including a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and four smaller telescopes located on the observation deck atop Brookens Library.
Since the late 1970s, thousands of people of all ages have come to the UIS Observatory for Star Parties, as well as for special astronomical events like lunar and solar eclipses and comets.
At a typical Star Party, visitors learn about galaxies as well as star and constellation identification.
Staff and trained volunteers then assist guests in using the telescopes — enabling stargazers to observe objects of interest in the night sky.
It’s not unusual for the program to host 50 to 100 participants on a clear night.
There are even Star Parties for people with disabilities that feature the first telescope ever designed for wheelchair access.
Professor John Martin, who grew up in the Washington, D.C., area, has provided leadership for the Astronomy program since 2006.
“Starting my freshman year at UVA,” Martin said, “I would hang out during public viewings at the UVA Observatory — taking measurements and having fun. They eventually asked me to help out, and I worked there for four years. That was my Friday nights!”
After more than 40 years of Star Parties, fundraising is now underway for much-needed renovations of the UIS Observatory, including redesign and replacement of the original deck with composite material, improved accessibility for people of all abilities and re-imagining the telescope enclosure for more efficient use.
“It has been a joy helping kids look through our telescopes week after week, always with a fresh set of questions,” Martin said. “With these much-needed renovations, we’ll be able to satisfy the curiosity of stargazers young and old for the next 40 years and beyond.”
Read the entire column online.
Friday, March 9, 2018
Study the night sky
On Friday, March 9, celebrate the return of University of Illinois Springfield’s Friday Night Star Parties, hosted by John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy and physics.
Friday Night Star Parties take place at UIS Observatory, located on the roof of Brookens Library, and will continue on Friday nights from 8-10 p.m., weather permitting, through March 23.
Friday Night Star Parties include a presentation about galaxies, the stars and the sun, followed by the use of the observatory’s telescope to view of the moon, the great nebula in Orion, as well as additional double stars and star clusters as available.
Friday Night Star Parties are free to the public, and participants are able to come and go as desired between 8 and 10 p.m.
This article appeared in the Illinois Times on March 8, 2018.
Read the entire article online.
Friday Night Star Parties take place at UIS Observatory, located on the roof of Brookens Library, and will continue on Friday nights from 8-10 p.m., weather permitting, through March 23.
Friday Night Star Parties include a presentation about galaxies, the stars and the sun, followed by the use of the observatory’s telescope to view of the moon, the great nebula in Orion, as well as additional double stars and star clusters as available.
Friday Night Star Parties are free to the public, and participants are able to come and go as desired between 8 and 10 p.m.
This article appeared in the Illinois Times on March 8, 2018.
Read the entire article online.
Friday, February 23, 2018
Star Parties to resume at UIS in March
The University of Illinois Springfield’s Friday Night Star Parties will resume for three Fridays in March
The dates include: March 9, 16, and 23.
The 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 moon, the Great Nebula in Orion and other double stars and star clusters when visible.
Friday Night Star Parties are free and open to the public.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on February 22, 2018.
Read the entire article online.
The 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 moon, the Great Nebula in Orion and other double stars and star clusters when visible.
Friday Night Star Parties are free and open to the public.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on February 22, 2018.
Read the entire article online.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Preparing for Monday’s solar eclipse
Joey McLaughlin talks with University of Illinois Springfield Associate Professor of Astronomy-Physics John Martin about the eclipse on Monday.
This interview aired live on 1240 WTAX Radio on August 16, 2017.
Listen to the interview online.
This interview aired live on 1240 WTAX Radio on August 16, 2017.
Listen to the interview online.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
UIS Professor John Martin: Southern Illinois will be epicenter for August 21 Solar Eclipse
Plans have been in the works for years at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and a vast portion of southern Illinois for the total solar eclipse which will translate across the campus sky on Monday, Aug. 21.
The total eclipse will cross the United States from Oregon to South Carolina during the afternoon hours of the day. A solar eclipse occurs when the orbit of the moon passes in front of the sun, causing darkness for a few moments during the daytime. According to NASA experts, southern Illinois will have the longest duration of darkness during the event, about 2 minutes and 40 seconds.
This is the first time in 99 years a total eclipse will be seen across the continental United States.
While the path of totality will be about 150 miles to the south of Pana, this area will be exposed to a partial eclipse – between 94 and 96% – according to University of Illinois Springfield astronomer Dr. John Martin. “Of course, in southern Illinois, the eclipse is total,” Martin said. “In the Pana, Decatur, Springfield, Jacksonville area, it will be a little less than totality. It won’t be quite as spectacular because the sun is so bright, even four or five percent of sunshine will be subdued. It will become just a little dark, something like a cloudy day.”
Dr. Martin has been with UIS since 2006 in the Physics and Astronomy Department. He is the host of the university’s “star parties” which are held periodically at night at the observatory at UIS.
In this area, Dr. Martin says the apex of the solar eclipse will occur around 1:18 p.m. on Aug. 21.
According to the NASA website, the event will begin at 11:52 a.m. and conclude at 2:44 p.m. in the Pana area.
He warns people – especially in this area – not to look directly at the eclipse because they could sustain eye damage. “Even with 97% of the sun blocked out, it can still damage the eyes,” he warns. “It would be like looking directly at an arc welding.” He suggests someone use a welder’s helmet glass to view the eclipse in this area. He said there are local retailers who have special eclipse glasses for sale.
However, the “100% safest way” to view the event is to make a “pin hole camera” and view it indirectly.
“Just seven years from now, in 2024, Carbondale will once again be in the path of totality of another eclipse,” Martin said. “But this eclipse will move from the southwest to the northeast. This is a very rare occurrence – something on the order of once every 1,000 or 2,000 years.”
This story was printed in the Pana News-Palladium on July 31, 2017.
Read the entire story online.
The total eclipse will cross the United States from Oregon to South Carolina during the afternoon hours of the day. A solar eclipse occurs when the orbit of the moon passes in front of the sun, causing darkness for a few moments during the daytime. According to NASA experts, southern Illinois will have the longest duration of darkness during the event, about 2 minutes and 40 seconds.
This is the first time in 99 years a total eclipse will be seen across the continental United States.
While the path of totality will be about 150 miles to the south of Pana, this area will be exposed to a partial eclipse – between 94 and 96% – according to University of Illinois Springfield astronomer Dr. John Martin. “Of course, in southern Illinois, the eclipse is total,” Martin said. “In the Pana, Decatur, Springfield, Jacksonville area, it will be a little less than totality. It won’t be quite as spectacular because the sun is so bright, even four or five percent of sunshine will be subdued. It will become just a little dark, something like a cloudy day.”
Dr. Martin has been with UIS since 2006 in the Physics and Astronomy Department. He is the host of the university’s “star parties” which are held periodically at night at the observatory at UIS.
In this area, Dr. Martin says the apex of the solar eclipse will occur around 1:18 p.m. on Aug. 21.
According to the NASA website, the event will begin at 11:52 a.m. and conclude at 2:44 p.m. in the Pana area.
He warns people – especially in this area – not to look directly at the eclipse because they could sustain eye damage. “Even with 97% of the sun blocked out, it can still damage the eyes,” he warns. “It would be like looking directly at an arc welding.” He suggests someone use a welder’s helmet glass to view the eclipse in this area. He said there are local retailers who have special eclipse glasses for sale.
However, the “100% safest way” to view the event is to make a “pin hole camera” and view it indirectly.
“Just seven years from now, in 2024, Carbondale will once again be in the path of totality of another eclipse,” Martin said. “But this eclipse will move from the southwest to the northeast. This is a very rare occurrence – something on the order of once every 1,000 or 2,000 years.”
This story was printed in the Pana News-Palladium on July 31, 2017.
Read the entire story online.
Thursday, March 2, 2017
UIS Friday Night Star Parties resume March 17
The University of Illinois Springfield's popular Friday Night Star Parties will resume this month.
Those dates include: March 17, 24 and 31. 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 Mars, the moon, the Great Nebula in Orion and other double stars and star clusters when visible.
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.
The entrance to the campus observatory is outside Brookens Library on the southeast corner of the building. Star Parties may be canceled because of 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.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on March 1, 2017.
Read the entire article online.
Those dates include: March 17, 24 and 31. 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 Mars, the moon, the Great Nebula in Orion and other double stars and star clusters when visible.
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.
The entrance to the campus observatory is outside Brookens Library on the southeast corner of the building. Star Parties may be canceled because of 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.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on March 1, 2017.
Read the entire article online.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Party with the stars on Fridays in September, October at UIS
Friday night will mark the return of the University of Illinois Springfield’s stars other than the Prairie Stars — the ones people may observe at the university’s longstanding Friday Night Star Parties.
The parties, hosted by John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy/physics, run from 8 to 10 p.m. and include the dates Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30 and Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28, weather permitting.
Telescopes at the UIS Observatory on the roof of Brookens Library will be trained on a number of celestial objects, including the planets Saturn and Mars; the moon, when visible; the Ring Nebula; globular star clusters M13 and M15; and other double stars and star clusters.
The parties are free and open to the public and reservations are not required. Groups are encouraged to attend.
This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 5, 2016.
Read the entire article online.
The parties, hosted by John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy/physics, run from 8 to 10 p.m. and include the dates Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30 and Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28, weather permitting.
Telescopes at the UIS Observatory on the roof of Brookens Library will be trained on a number of celestial objects, including the planets Saturn and Mars; the moon, when visible; the Ring Nebula; globular star clusters M13 and M15; and other double stars and star clusters.
The parties are free and open to the public and reservations are not required. Groups are encouraged to attend.
This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 5, 2016.
Read the entire article online.
Monday, March 28, 2016
UIS star parties set to resume April 1
When you hear someone mention Friday Night Lights at the University of Illinois Springfield, they may not be talking about high school football.
The lights on Friday nights at UIS, at least in the spring and fall, come from above, when the nearly 40-year-old Friday Night Star Parties are held.
Those free parties resume next month at the UIS Observatory on the roof of Brookens Library. They’ll be from 8 to 10 p.m., weather permitting, on April 1, 8, 15, and 22, then resume after school begins in the fall.
John Martin, associate professor of astronomy and physics at UIS, hosts the events, during which the observatory’s telescopes are used to view a number of celestial objects including Jupiter, the moon, the Great Nebula in Orion and other stars and star clusters when they are visible.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on March 28, 2016.
Read the full article online.
The lights on Friday nights at UIS, at least in the spring and fall, come from above, when the nearly 40-year-old Friday Night Star Parties are held.
Those free parties resume next month at the UIS Observatory on the roof of Brookens Library. They’ll be from 8 to 10 p.m., weather permitting, on April 1, 8, 15, and 22, then resume after school begins in the fall.
John Martin, associate professor of astronomy and physics at UIS, hosts the events, during which the observatory’s telescopes are used to view a number of celestial objects including Jupiter, the moon, the Great Nebula in Orion and other stars and star clusters when they are visible.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on March 28, 2016.
Read the full article online.
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