Dennis Craig, Campus Historic Preservation Officer
Bryan Dunne, Teaching Assistant Professor, Astronomy
Varun Satish, President of the UI Astronomical Society
Craig Sutter, Observatory Curator
The University of Illinois Observatory is a great place to look at the night sky and to hear about new astronomical results. It was constructed in 1896, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 6, 1986 and on December 20, 1989, the U.S. Department of Interior designated the Observatory a National Historic Landmark. Though none of the astronomical instruments are being used for professional research today, the Observatory still contains a 12" Brashear refractor. The Observatory played a key role in the development of astronomy as it was home to a key innovation in the area of astronomical photometry. (**NOTE: If weather is prohibitive for viewing, the program will be rescheduled to Thursday, October 30.)
Dennis Craig, three-degree Illinois alumnus who is also a Bronze Tablet honoree, left the private sector as an architect to become the UI’s Campus Historic Preservation Officer. When he’s not managing projects to ensure the UI is compliant with the National Historic Preservation Act, he’s responding to inquiries like the one from a granddaughter of a contractor on the Mumford House or a woman whose great uncle carved one of the statues at Memorial Stadium. And of course, he’s the go-to person whenever a newly unearthed time capsule is discovered. (He thinks there are at least twenty or thirty still buried around campus.)
**NOTE: For logistical reasons, this SAS will be limited to the first 25 confirmed registrants.**
If this event is full when you try to register, please email chp@illinois.edu to be placed on a waitlist.