Each semester, Millikin hosts Public Observation Nights in the Requarth Observatory every Tuesday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. when there are clear skies and while the weather is warm (early September–early November in the fall and March to semester’s end in mid-May in the Spring).
The Public Observation Nights for the Fall 2025 semester have concluded and will return in Spring 2026.
Public Observation Nights are free and open to the public.
In addition to the main 20" (0.5 meter) telescope in the Requarth Observatory, Leighty-Tabor Science Center also features an observation deck on the fifth floor that surrounds the base of the observatory dome. This observation deck provides a platform on which 8" telescopes, which are commonly used in Millikin’s astronomy labs, will also be prepared for viewing.
The Leighty-Tabor Science Center is located just off Fairview Avenue in Decatur. The southeast entrance of the building will remain unlocked during observation nights to allow guests access to the science center’s elevator. For more information, contact Ryan Mensik at rmensik@millikin.edu.