UIS Brings Back Spring Star Party Series

Free public events to feature views of moon, planets, and deep-sky objects through campus observatory telescopes.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The University of Illinois Springfield is resuming its popular spring star party series, with the first event scheduled for February 27th. Led by Associate Professor of Astronomy and Physics John Martin, the free public gatherings will allow visitors to observe celestial objects like the moon, Jupiter, the Orion Nebula, and star clusters through the observatory's telescopes.

Why it matters

The star parties provide an opportunity for the local community to engage with astronomy and learn more about the night sky, as well as experience the capabilities of the UIS observatory. These events have been a tradition for years, drawing crowds of all ages to the campus.

The details

The star parties will take place on February 27 and March 27, with guests admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Professor Martin will guide attendees in viewing a variety of astronomical objects through the observatory's telescopes. The events may be canceled due to cloudy weather, so interested participants are advised to call the observatory at 7 PM on the night of the party to check if conditions are suitable for viewing.

  • The first star party of the spring season is scheduled for February 27, 2026.
  • The second star party is planned for March 27, 2026.

The players

John Martin

Associate Professor of Astronomy and Physics at the University of Illinois Springfield, who leads the star party events at the campus observatory.

University of Illinois Springfield

The public university hosting the spring star party series at its campus observatory.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The return of the UIS star party series provides a valuable opportunity for the local community to engage with astronomy and learn more about the night sky through direct observation. These free public events have been a long-standing tradition at the university, fostering interest in science and bringing people together around a shared fascination with the cosmos.