SIU Carbondale Physics Department

Southern Illinois Star Party 2025

Saturday, September 27, 2025

Event

Southern Illinois Star Party 2025

FREE Public astronomy observation and science activities at the SIU Carbondale University Farms Astronomy Observation Area
Saturday,  September 27, 2025
5pm to 11pm CDT

Join SIU Carbondale, and the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois for a free night of guided telescope observations as well as family friendly astronomy and science activities.  Enjoy an evening under the stars at the SIU University Farms Astronomy Observation Area.  The site is 2 miles west of SIU’s main campus in a semi-dark area that offers good views of the night sky.

Several night time and solar telescopes operated by amateur astronomers and SIU School of Physics and Applied Physics faculty, staff, and students will be available to the public this evening.  Visitors will be able to see the Sun, Moon, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and other celestial objects.

Visitors are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets as well as photography or telescope equipment.  Free shuttles will run from SIU Parking lot #63 at the corner of Oakland and Chautauqua streets throughout the evening. Parking at the SIU Farms observation site is very limited and available by permit only.

For disability accommodations call 618-453-5738. Disabled visitors or those bringing telescope equipment that would be difficult to transport by shuttle may contact events@siu.edu or call SIU Events and Outreach at 618-453-7751 for a free onsite parking permit.

For more information: https://eclipse.siu.edu/southern-illinois-star-party/

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025

Time: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Central

Location: SIU Carbondale University Farms Astronomy Observation Area - parking at campus lot #63
1155 S Oakland Ave
Carbondale, IL 62901

Information for Visitors
Instructions for the Public:

Free Admission & Family Friendly

Guided Telescope Observations

A variety of small and large telescopes will be setup for public viewing.

Astronomy & Science Activities

Learn about the Sun, our night sky, telescopes, astrophotography and current NASA sponsored research at SIU.  Presentations on the night sky will take place at the top of every hour after sunset. Additional presentations and videos TBA. 

Special Activity: Voyage to the Moon

Walk from Earth to the Moon! Join the SIUC STEM Education Research Center (SERC)  Outreach Program Team for Voyage to the Moon. The SERC team will have “Spaceship Earth”, a giant 16’ globe with NASA satellite imagery and an accompanying Moon to scale, at the distance they would be from each other at this size. Walk to the Moon and look back upon our home planet, Earth, in the distance. Walk around the far side of the moon and re-create the “Earthrise” view the Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders photographed during the first crewed voyage to orbit the moon, “the 1968 photo that changed the world”.

Make sure to checkout the Science Center and Straight Up Solar demonstration areas at the star party.

Free Parking & Shuttle Service

Located at SIU campus lot #63 on the corner of Chautauqua and Oakland streets in Carbondale.  Shuttle pickup every 15 minutes.  Shuttles run to the SIU University Farms Astronomy Observation Area, aproximately 2 miles west of campus on Autumn Point Road.

Limited Onsite Parking 

The Star Party takes place at the SIU University Farms Astronomy Observation Area.  Parking in this area is limited and by permit only. Visitors who are not able to ride the shuttle and those transporting equipment may contact SIU Events and Outreach for a free parking permit: events@siu.edu.  Note that the University Farms Astronomy Observation Area is accessible only via gravel road and the parking onsite is on grass.  

Concessions Available 

From HoneyBeez and HauteWheels.

For special accommodations and more information contact SIU Events and Outreach at 618-536-7751 or email events@siu.edu.

Star Party Flyer 957 KB

Location Details

SIU Carbondale University Farms Astronomy Observation Area - parking at campus lot #63
1155 S Oakland Ave
Carbondale, IL 62901
(click to get directions)
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