UIS Observatory

Banners hanging inside the atrium of Wilson Hall at Fermi Lab

The UIS space and astronomy interest group gathered around the 15 foot bubble chamber at Femi Lab

The view from the 15th floor observation deck at Fermi Lab

The new linear accelerator being built at Fermi Lab as viewed from the 15th floor of Wilson Hall

Pictures from the UIS space in astronomy group visit to Fermi Lab.
We learned a lot about muons, neutrinos, dark matter and particle accelerators.
I highly recommend this toward anybody who has any interest in high energy physics. It’s truly a unique facility based right here in Illinois.

Banners for Fermi lab in the entrance to Wilson Hall at their facility

Today the campus Space & Astronomy club is at Fermi Lab in Batavia, IL to take a college tour.

Venus, Saturn and Neptune 10° above the sunset on March 8, 2026

Saturn and Venus are very close in the western sky after sunset tonight (2026 March 8).
They are only 10 degrees above the sunset. But Venus is very bright so with a flat western horizon and clear weather you have a shot to see.
Neptune is nearby but too faint in twilight even through a telescope.

Every year people ask me why we do Daylight Savings Time. There is no astronomical reason for DST. The reasons we have it are political. So please ask your member of Congress.

A map of the evening sky in March 2026 noting the stars and constellations Harry Potter characters are named after.

Last night I was at the Chatham Public library talking to a bunch of enthusiastic kids about how to find stars and constellations in the sky that Harry Potter characters are named after.
We had a fun wide ranging discussion about a lot of different astronomy topics.

I spent a lovely hour this evening at the Chatham Public library, talking with a group of enthusiastic young people about their interest in astronomy.

Start parties table set up at Tri-City elementary science night

Start party host, John Martin Tri-City elementary science night

We will be at Tri-City Elementary Science Night this evening for 6-7:30 pm giving out Star Party posters and talking about the Artemis 2 Moon mission.

Total Lunar Eclipse on March 2–3, 2026 – Where and When to See Total lunar eclipse on March 2–3, 2026: Where and when is the Blood Moon visible and what will it look like? Visibility map, animation, and local times.

There is a total lunar eclipse tonight but between it being visible in Illinois from 3-6 am -and- the solidly cloudy weather, we have decided not to over-hype it for Central Illinois

www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/luna...

The Orion nebula image through the 14 inch telescope with a very short exposure at UIS star party on February 27

The Orion Nebula through the 14-inch at Star Party last night.
Not the most super spectacular image of this awesome nebula but closely approximating what the human eye sees through the telescope. This nebula is pretty bright so you can still see a pretty good amount even with pair of binoculars.

Live Feed from Star Party on 2026 February 27 YouTube video by Dr. Martin at the UIS Observatory

It was good to see the 104 ppl who showed up for Star Party ⭐️🎉 last night. Great weather and great crowd!
We will do it again on March 27.
Here is a link to the archived live stream from the 14-inch telescope dome:

www.youtube.com/live/b7whDSN...

A whiteboard informing people that the targets for the telescopes tonight at star party are the moon, Jupiter, and Orion Nebula

The waxing gibbous moon in the clear afternoon sky over the UIS campus Observatory on February 27, 2026

Star party is ON for tonight February 27!
We have skies and nice temperatures.
Doors open at 8 PM and you can show up anytime between 8 and 10 PM to get a look through the telescopes which will be focusing on the moon Jupiter and the Orion nebula tonight.
Info: go.uis.edu/starparties

Start a party at the UIS campus Observatory on Friday, February 27 from 8 to 10 PM. Weather permitting.

There’s a star party tonight!!! 🎉⭐️🎉⭐️⭐️
Join us at the UIS campus, Observatory between 8 and 10 PM for views of the Moon, Jupiter, and the Orion nebula.
Info at this link go.uis.edu/starparties
People who can’t make it in person can join our YouTube live stream at go.uis.edu/virtualstarp...

Thanks for the boost Kisha.
Fair disclosure: Kisha and I exchange Christmas cards every year. 🤣

An image of the moon taken with the UIS observatory Widefield camera on the evening of February 26, 2026 CST

We snapped this picture of the moon last night while we were using the 20 inch telescope to also take spectra of Epsilon Auriga and Kappa Draconis.

The moon as imaged by the UIS observatory wide field camera on February 23 CST

I almost forgot to share this awesome shot of the Moon that we took last Tuesday with the UIS Research Observatory wide field camera.

The first star party of 2026 is this Friday, February 27 at the UIS Observatory from 8-10 PM weather permitting.
The weather forecast is for clear skies and temperatures in the 50s.
The Orion Nebula,Pleiades star cluster, the moon and the planet Jupiter are up for viewing
go.uis.edu/starparties

This huge nebula is always a subject of discussion when we are imaging M33. Can’t miss it even from a distance of 3 million light years.

Image of epsilon Aurigae by the UIS observatory wide field camera on February 23 CST

Image of Kappa Draconis taken by the UIS observatory wide field camera on February 23 CST

We use the 20 inch telescope last night to take Spectra of two old friends: Epsilon Aurigae and Kappa Draconis.

Star party at the UIS campus Observatory on Friday, February 27 from 8 to 10 PM. Weather permitting.

The first Star Party ⭐️🎉 of spring 2026 is this Friday, February 27 from 8-10 pm at the campus observatory, weather permitting.
go.uis.edu/starparties

NASA to Rollback Artemis II Rocket, Spacecraft - NASA Weather pending, NASA will roll the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft for Artemis II off the launch pad at the agency’s Kennedy Space

NASA is now targeting the next launch opportunities for the #ArtemisII lunar mission starting from 1 April.

🔗 www.nasa.gov/blogs/missio...

Artemis 2 might be delayed until April. Will know for certain if they start the rollback to the VAB and/or release the crew from quarantine.

www.nasa.gov/blogs/missio...

Mercury distorted by differential atmospheric refraction like a sunset near the western horizon on February 20, 2026

Saturn 🪐 imaged through the 14-inch telescope on February 20, 2026

The crescent Moon 🌒 image on February 20, 2026

Mercury, Saturn and the Moon seen through the 14-inch telescope at the Campus Observatory this evening.
Mercury is red and rainbow colored because of the atmospheric refraction near the horizon, like a sunset.

Looking at the Western Horizon at about 6:10 PM CST on February 20, 2026. Mercury visible above the horizon with Venus below it and Saturn above it

See Mercury tonight (Feb 20)! The weather in central Illinois may be clear.
Find a place with a flat western horizon. Mercury will be bright and visible once the sky gets dark enough around 6:10 pm.
Venus will be harder to pick out below Mercury. Saturn higher up will become visible as sky darkens

NASA declares Boeing’s botched Starliner flight a mishap on-par with deadly space-shuttle disasters NASA leadership on Thursday outlined how 2024’s glitch-plagued Boeing Starliner mission jeopardized astronaut welfare and the space agency’s culture of safety and accountability

NASA leadership on Thursday outlined how 2024’s glitch-plagued Boeing Starliner mission jeopardized astronaut welfare and the space agency’s culture of safety and accountability

The moon and Mercury in the evening sky on February 18, 2026

The moon and Mercury in the evening sky on February 18, 2026

The moon and Mercury in the evening sky on February 18, 2026

Pictures of the conjunction of the Moon 🌙 and Mercury on the evening of February 18, 2026 CST.
The Moon moves on, but Mercury continues be above the setting Sun in the evening sky for the next week.

Mercury next to the crescent moon after sunset on February 18, 2026 with Venus below and Saturn above.

Tonight after sunset, the crescent moon 🌒 will appear in the western sky right next to the planet Mercury. Venus and Saturn may also be visible below and above Mercury.
Best time to go out is about 30 minutes after sunset. You’ll need a flat western horizon.

NASA Eyes Next Wet Dress Rehearsal for Artemis II - NASA NASA is targeting Thursday, Feb. 19, as the tanking day for the second wet dress rehearsal ahead of the agency’s Artemis II test flight.

NASA is targeting 19 February to start the second Wet Dress Rehearsal for the #ArtemisII lunar spaceflight.

Mercury and Saturn visible in the evening sky after sunset on February 15, 2026

Mercury and Saturn visible in the evening sky after sunset on February 15, 2026

Mercury and Saturn were visible after sunset last night. Venus was too low and behind the trees from this vantage point.
Look for these all week long. The crescent Moon 🌙 joins them Tuesday and Wednesday.

youtu.be/cPrMQaFWPP4?...

Venus, Mercury and Saturn visible above the western horizon after sunset this week.

Three bright planets visible right after sunset in the western sky this week. Venus is really bright, but will be hard to pick out closest to the horizon. Mercury is above Venus and above that is Saturn.
The Moon 🌙 joins this trio on Tuesday and Wednesday.

When I was working at the US Naval Observatory, I spent a lot of time in their library while code ran on the main frame. With these spaces disappearing, I lament what we are losing.