Public Astronomy Observations at SIU Carbondale
The public is invited to free monthly public astronomy observations at the SIU Carbondale Neckers building Astronomy Observation Deck. Regular monthly observations take place while school is in session and are hosted as a joint campus – community effort by the School of Physics and Applied Physics and the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois. Volunteers at each observation assist with guided telescope observations and presentations on the night sky. Larger sepecial events may use other observation locations as noted in the event details.
Parking is available during events at SIU lot #47 between the Neckers building and the SIU Public Policy Institute at 1245 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, Illinois. The observation deck is located just above the School of Physics office on the A-wing of the Neckers building. Follow signs from Neckers 456 the southwest stairs.
All observations are weather dependent and space limited. For more information, contact SIU Physics at 618-453-2643 or email: physics@siu.edu
Spring 2026 Observation Schedule
Sunday, January 25, 2026, 6pm – 7:30pm
Free public astronomy observation at the SIU Carbondale School of Physics and Applied Physics Astronomy Observation Deck, located on the roof of the Neckers building at 1245 Lincoln Drive. Join SIU Physics and the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois for an evening of guided telescopic observations of the night sky.
Significant objects visible this evening: The Moon will be about 1/2 lit this evening with the planets Saturn, Jupiter and Uranus visible. Jupiter is at opposition this month, appearing large and bright in the sky. The 4 Galilean moons of Jupiter will be visible tonight towards the end of the observation with the smallest moon, Europa, transiting the planet for most of the observation and becoming visible again about 7:15pm. Other visible objects include the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), the Great Orion Nebula (M42), and the North American Nebula (C20).
Children accompanied by adults are welcome. Please note that the observation deck is not handicap accessible and is only accessible via stairs. Note that while this is an outdoor activity, you may be in close proximity to people throughout the evening.
Special Observation: Total Lunar Eclipse at the SIU Farms Astronomy Observation Area. Early morning of Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 3:30am – 6:30am (sunrise)
Free public astronomy observation of a total lunar eclipse at the SIU Carbondale Farms Astronomy Observation Area, located approximately 2 miles west of the main SIU campus off Chautauqua road. The site will be open to the public 3:30am – 6:30am on the morning of Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Earlier entry is available for individuals wanting to setup telescopes or photography equipment. Free onsite parking. From this location, the first phases of the eclipse through totality are visible with the moon setting in the final partial phase. More details TBA winter 2026.
Lunar eclipse timing
P1 (start of penumbral phase): 8:44:22UT / 2:44:22CST.
U1 (start of partial phase): 9:50:00UT = 3:50:00 CST. Location: 253 Az, 29 Alt.
U2 (start of totality): 11:04:26 UT = 5:04:26 CST. Location: 265 Az, 15 Alt.
U3 (end of totality): 12:02:45UT = 6:02:45 CST. Location: 273 Az, 4 Alt.
Sunrise: 6:29am.
Sunday, April 26, 2026, 8:00pm – 9:30pm.
Free public astronomy observation at the SIU Carbondale School of Physics and Applied Physics Astronomy Observation Deck, located on the roof of the Neckers building at 1245 Lincoln Drive. Join SIU Physics and the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois for an evening of guided telescopic observations of the night sky.
Significant objects visible this evening: The Moon will bright at 80% lit this evening, and Jupiter and its 4 Galilean moons are visible for the entire observation. Venus (89% phase) will be visible at the start of the observation only. Other visible objects include the Hercules Globular Cluster, M13.
Children accompanied by adults are welcome. Please note that the observation deck is not handicap accessible and is only accessible via stairs. Note that while this is an outdoor activity, you may be in close proximity to people throughout the evening.
Fall 2026 Observation Schedule
August 12, 2026 Special Event: Total Solar Eclipse live stream watch party.
Watch the SIU Carbondale NASA SolarSTEAM livestream of the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse from Leon, Spain on @NASASolarSTEAM YouTube Live. Details TBA.
Eclipse timing:
C1 (start of partial phase): 17:33:00 UT, 12:33pm CDT.
C2 (start of totality) : 18:28:37 UT, 1:28pm CDT.
C3 (end of totality): 18:30:18 UT, 1:30pm CDT.
C4 (end of last partial phase) 19:22:22 UT, 2:22pm CDT.
August 27, 2026 Special Event: The SolarSTEAM National Star Party, live from SIU Carbondale for the August 27 – 28 “almost total” lunar eclipse. This hybrid event will include an in-person public astronomy observation event and an edutainment livestream on @NASASolarSTEAM YouTube Live 8:30pm – 11:30pm CDT.
This year’s SolarSTEAM National Star Party is on the evening of a high percentage (96%) partial eclipse. All but a very small sliver of the Moon will be shadowed by the Earth this evening, and the Moon will turn a dark shade of maroon or orange. Other objects visible this evening include the planets Venus and Saturn as well as The Pleiades and Andromeda Galaxy.
Free telescope viewing and activities by the SIU School of Physics and Applied Physics, the SIU STEM Education Research Center and the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois.
Eclipse timing:
P1 (penumbral phase) 01:23:55UT / 8:23:55pm CDT (August 27)
U1 (partial phase): 2:33:48 UT / 9:33:48pm CDT (August 27). Location: Az 124, Alt 22.
Greatest Eclipse: 11:12pm CDT. Location: Az 147, Alt 36.
U4 (end of partial phase: 5:51:55UT / 12:51am CDT, August 28. Location: Az 177, Alt 43.
P4 (end penumbral phase): 2:01am CDT.
Additional details TBA spring 2026.
Special Event: Southern Illinois Star Party 2026 at the SIU University Farms Astronomy Observation Area. Saturday, September 19, 2026, 6pm – 11pm.
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 information on last year’s star party, see: Southern Illinois Star Party 2025
Details and more public astronomy observations TBA spring 2026.
The Neckers Building Astronomy Observation Deck
Located on the roof of the Neckers Building A-wing, the observation deck is 624 square feet in size with a 2″ thick rubber mat base for vibration isolation. The primary telescope is a 14″ Meade LX600. This computer guided telescope is used for all observation events as well as the lab portion of PHYS 103 (Astronomy). Several additional scopes are setup for observations as needed including a Stellarvue SV105 (pictured) as well as a variety of visual and camera assisted telescopes. The observation deck is only open to the public during public astronomy observations. Groups requesting a special observation should email: physics@siu.edu.
Join us on Facebook
For more information and discussion about the observations and other SIU Physics events, please visit the SIU Physics Facebook events page
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can't attend in person, is there an online way to participate?
Some event are livestreamed by SolarSTEAM via YouTube Live, @NASASolarSTEAM. See event descriptions for details.
Parking
Free parking is available in SIU lot #47 located in between the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and the Neckers building.
Are white lights allowed at the observation site?
Street lighting and campus walkway lights will be on during this event. Visitors and staff are encouraged to keep white light to a minimum in the telescope area and use red lights when possible.
Are pets allowed?
No pets other than service animals are allowed at observations.
Can I bring a large group to the event?
Space on the observation deck is limited. Groups should contact physics@siu.edu in advance to insure space is available.
Is there a rain date for the observations?
All observations are weather dependent. There are no rain dates for events. Cancellations will be announced on this page and the SIU Physics Facebook event page.
What types of telescopes are at the event?
All telescopes at the event are portable amateur astronomer telescopes or binoculars. Expect a range of telescopes including 40mm to 100mm refactors that offer incredibly sharp images and a variety of reflectors including Newtonians and compact Schmidt-Cassegrain scopes up to 14″ in size. During lunar observations, a cell phone adapter is used to let visitors get their own picture of the Moon.
Can I setup my own telescope?
Visitors should contact physics@siu.edu in advance for permission to setup their own telescope.
All activities are weather dependent.
No alcohol is permitted at this venue. Southern Illinois University is a smoke free campus.
Note that you will likely be in close proximity to people throughout the evening. If you are feeling sick or have recently been exposed to Covid, please stay home.
Portions of events may be photographed, videoed and live streamed.
For questions or more information, contact SIU Physics at: physics@siu.edu or 618-453-2643.