В Южном Иллинойсе пройдет ежегодная астрономическая вечеринка с наблюдением Сатурна

Southern Ill. Star Party returns to SIUC on Sept. 19 CARBONDALE, Ill. (Heartland News) - Southern Illinois University will host its annual star party on Saturday, September 19. The free Southern Illinois Star Party will be from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the SIU University Farms Astronomy Observation Area, 2 miles west of the main campus in a semi-dark area. The Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois can help with telescopes and will have science activities. It’s recommended you bring a chair and blanket to get comfortable and stay awhile. According to organizers, before sunset, they’ll have specially filtered solar scopes so you can look at the sun. Bob Baer, an associate scientist in the school of physics and applied physics, said once the sun sets, you’ll have views of Saturn that only come once a year. “The main thing this year is the planet Saturn will be very close to opposition, placing it directly opposite the Earth from the Sun,” he said. “It will appear brighter and larger than other times.” Since the first star party in the fall of 2018, organizers say a highlight has been access to the large telescopes, including one that cannot be reached while standing on the ground. “The largest scope has a 30-inch mirror and requires a ladder to reach the eyepiece eight feet in the air,” Baer said. “The views people get of the planets, deep sky objects, and the Moon are pretty incredible.” SIU astronomy students will hold free science activities for children: - Craters on the moon - Drop objects such as rocks into sand or flour to create a crater like those on the moon - Oreo Eclipses - A tasty way to make eclipses and demonstrate the phases of the moon - Straw rockets - Build rockets with straws and paper According to SIUC, parking will be at SIU campus lot #63 on the corner of Chautauqua and Oakland streets in Carbondale with shuttle pickups every 15 minutes starting at 5:45 p.m. For disability accommodations, you can call 618-453-5738. Visitors with disabilities or those bringing telescope equipment that would be difficult to transport by shuttle may contact [email protected] or call SIU Events and Outreach at 618-453-7751 for a free onsite parking permit. If you can’t attend in person, portions of the Southern Illinois Star Party will be livestreamed on YouTube. Copyright 2026 Heartland News. All rights reserved.