UIUC Observatory Assistance Page

12" Telescope Operation

• Telescope User's Guide (MSWord) or (PDF)
• Contact the observatory committee if you need more help

Finding Objects

• An all around wonderful site for locating anything from planets to the sun to satellites is Heavens Above. You can also configure a web page specific for your location so all times and coordinates are more precise. Here's a couple that have been set up:
  • UIUC Observatory
  • ECE Field Station, (UIAS dark site)
• The observatory computer has several nice astronomy programs which help locate objects using coordinates or star maps.
  • FinderScope is a DOS program that gives coordinates for commonly viewed objects (planets, deep sky, etc.). It also gives the hour angle, so you don't have to calculate it. This was written by Daniel Thayer from the Astronomy Department.
  • The Sky is a Windows program that shows star charts and allows you to click on any object to get more information, including coordinates.
• Books and magazines - Many books may be found in the closet (201) including Uranometria 2000 and Burnham's. The club keeps recent magazines on the desk. Magazines are a good source of current events such as where the planets are. Uranometria is a good set of star charts if you choose to star hop to your target.
• The WWW is full of information on specific objects:
  • Sun - DO NOT ATTEMPT unless you have been specifically trained by an officer to do solar observing.
    One of the most useful solar activity sites is Solar Maximum: Latest Images and Data
  • Moon - try the Heavens Above website listed above.
  • Planets - for coordinates, try Solar System Live and for just about anything else, try The Nine Planets
  • Comets from JPL
  • Messier Objects - gives coordinates, pictures, and tons of interesting information
  • Stars - by Jim Kaler, Prof of Astronomy at UIUC

Time and weather

• Verify the sidereal time on the observatory clock. (enter Urbana, IL in the form)
• Universal time: (clock animation requires Netscape)
• Central standard/daylight time: (clock animation requires Netscape)
• UIUC Weather page for current conditions and a local forecast
• The NCSA Weather Page provides conditions, forecasts, and maps.
• Intellicast - lots of weather stuff

Back to UIAS Home

This document was last modified on