Astronomy News

Alumni, professors push for restoration of 115-year-old Observatory | The Daily Illini

Published Date:February 25, 2011

After a recent break-in brought to light the fragile state of the 115-year-old Observatory, many in the campus community think the national historic landmark is in need of preservation maintenance. Read the full story at the Daily Illini.

Published Date: February 25, 2011


Astronomy Grad Student wins Chambliss Medal

Author: Bryan Dunne

Published Date:January 18, 2011

Illinois Astronomy graduate student Jana Bilikova was named a winner of a Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student Award at the 217th AAS Meeting in Seattle. The Chambliss Awards are given to recognize exemplary research by undergraduate and graduate students who present at one of the poster sessions at the meetings of the AAS. Awardees are honored with a Chambliss medal and a certificate.

Author: Bryan Dunne

Published Date: January 18, 2011


A virtual tour of the Astronomic! exhibition at Krannert Art Museum

Author: Beckman Institute

Published Date:December 2, 2010

Guest Curator Hank Kaczmarski (Beckman) has created a virtual tour of the Astronomic! exhibition, a collaboration between Krannert Art Museum and the Illinois Simulator Laboratory of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. Using 2D paintings, an electronic LED wall, 3D objects, and an immersive virtual reality viewing room (CANVAS), this exhibition highlights the history of imaging the Universe.

Author: Beckman Institute

Published Date: December 2, 2010


Irregularly Shaped Envelopes Could Mean the Birth of Twin Stars

Author: LASNews

Published Date:October 14, 2010

Binary stars are much more common than single stars, says Leslie Looney, an Illinois astronomer.  What's more, he says they now have the first observational evidence supporting the theory that an irregularly shaped cloud of dust in space stands a good chance of dividing into two stars. "We think that asymmetrical envelopes mean we are seeing the early stages of the formation of binary systems," Looney says. "We're seeing asymmetries that we've never seen before."

Author: LASNews

Published Date: October 14, 2010


STARS and Skylights: Over 8 Million Served!

Author: Bryan Dunne

Published Date:October 5, 2010

Professor Emeritus Jim Kaler's public education websites, including the immensely popular STARS and Skylights, have surpassed a combined 8 MILLION page views! For 12 years, Prof. Kaler's award-winning websites have been educating the world about the Universe. Congratulations and many thanks to all those who visit the STARS!

Author: Bryan Dunne

Published Date: October 5, 2010