As a key component of your Astronomy lab is to learn about and gain an appreciation for observing the night sky and astronomical objects, Clear Skies observation nights are held on select Sunday-Thursday nights. Take notes the night of the observation and complete the worksheet provided. For Clear Skies, you may instead attend a Department of Physics and Astronomy Public Observing Night (dates and times listed below and here).

You must register for the Clear Skies event of your choice by filling out the signup sheet listed here.  To do so, simply list your official UI email under the date you would like to register for.  Please note that you will need to be signed into your UI email in order to access and edit the signup sheet.

A day or so in advance of the date you signed up for, you will be sent an email confirming the details of your observation. Alternatively, you will receive an email letting you know if your Clear Skies night is cancelled (this is typically due to weather). If your first Clear Skies event is cancelled, it is expected that you register for and plan to attend a second night. 

Furthermore, Clear Skies enrollment is capped at 30 students per event. For these reasons, it is important to make certain that you sign up Clear Skies sufficiently far enough in advance so that if a date is full or canceled, you still have time in the semester to attend a second night. If your second Clear Skies event is cancelled, you will receive credit for your Clear Skies without needing to do anything as long as you registered for both nights in advance of their cancellation with your UI email.

 

Spring 2025 Clear Skies Dates

DateTimeType
Sunday, March 2nd8-9pmClear Skies
Friday, March 7th8-9pmPublic Observing Night
Thursday, March 13th8-9pmClear Skies
Friday, March 21st8-9pmPublic Observing Night
Wednesday, March 26th8-9pmClear Skies
Sunday, March 30th8-9pmClear Skies
Friday, April 4th8-9pmPublic Observing Night
Thursday, April 10th8-9pmClear Skies
Friday, April 18th8-9pmPublic Observing Night
Wednesday, April 23rd8-9pmClear Skies