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Testimonials

Student Testimonials

Do you wonder what other students think about the Astronomy Program?

Here are some students’ opinions of Prof John Martin, who teaches all of the Astronomy and Physics courses at UIS:

“I am convinced all of humanity is born with more gifts than we know. Most are born geniuses and just get de-geniused rapidly.”

The following is an excerpt from a column by University of Illinois Springfield Associate Professor of Astronomy-Physics John Martin. This column appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 12, 2021.

Everyone living in central Illinois is familiar with the beauty of a star-filled night sky split in half by the Milky Way. Even those of us living in towns and cities full of lights have just a short distance to travel to take in awe-inspiring views.

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The University of Illinois Springfield’s popular Friday Night Star Parties will be held in a virtual format this fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants can watch the virtual star parties on Zoom from 8-9 p.m. on Sept. 10, 17, and 24 and Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. The Zoom link will be posted at uis.edu/astronomy/about/starparties/.

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Perseid Meteor Shower Star Party

Thursday July 12 is the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower. We will hold a Star Party that night from 8:30-9.30 pm. We encourage you to join us from your own backyard watching the sky for meteors. We will share commentary about what we are seeing in the sky, answer live questions and, if weather permits, live views of the sky.

This event is free to join via Zoom and no reservation is required.

For details visit the Summer Star Parties web page.

Zoom meeting

The University of Illinois Springfield's long-standing Star Parties have gone online, for now, to accommodate safe social distancing of participants.

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The University of Illinois Springfield’s popular star parties are returning as virtual events this spring and summer. The Astronomy-Physics Program is planning six virtual star parties at 7 p.m. March 12, 8 p.m. April 9, 8:30 p.m. May 14, June 11 and Aug. 12 and 9 p.m. July 9. 

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