Decatur, Ill. — Millikin University is once again opening its doors — and its rooftop observatory — to the community with the return of Public Observation Nights for the Fall 2026 semester.
Held weekly on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:30 p.m. beginning on Sept. 1 (weather permitting), the free events invite visitors of all ages to experience the wonders of the night sky at Millikin’s Requarth Observatory, located atop the Leighty-Tabor Science Center.
Public Observation Nights are a longstanding tradition at Millikin, offering a unique opportunity for community members to engage directly with astronomy through hands-on learning experiences led by students and faculty from the School of Chemistry & Physics.
During each session, guests can observe celestial objects using the observatory’s primary 20-inch (0.5-meter) telescope, housed within the dome structure on the building’s roof. In addition, several 8-inch telescopes — commonly used in Millikin astronomy labs — are set up on the surrounding fifth-floor observation deck, allowing for multiple viewing experiences throughout the evening.
The open-air observation deck offers a panoramic stargazing venue, where attendees can view planets, star clusters, nebulae, and other astronomical phenomena, depending on conditions. Clear skies and favorable weather are key to each session, making every visit a slightly difference experience.
Public Observation Nights are free and open to the public. Visitors can enter through the southeast entrance of the Leighty-Tabor Science Center, which remains unlocked during event hours to provide elevator access to the observatory level.
The program runs each semester during optimal viewing periods — early September through early November in the fall and late March through mid-May in the spring — ensuring comfortable weather and clear skies for participants.
For more information about Public Observation Nights, contact Ryan Mensik at rmensik@millikin.edu.
