UIS Barber Research Observatory

The UIS Barber Research Observatory is a community supported astronomical observatory located about 30 km west of Springfield, IL, USA. This observatory is very different from most university research observatories because the Astronomy-Physics program at the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) does not have a graduate or undergraduate degree program to supply students to staff it. Instead the Barber Observatory is staffed by dedicated community volunteers who have been trained through advanced astronomy courses offered at UIS. The observatory was constructed entirely with community donations. It is maintained through an endowment and continued community financial support. 

The namesake of our observatory, Henry R. Barber, was a well known lawyer in Springfield who was instrumental in the creation of Sangamon State University (now UIS) and had an avid interest in astronomy going back to his experience as a naval aviator specializing in celestial navigation during WWII. The research observatory stands as a memorial to his enthusiastic life long interest in astronomy.

Quick links:

• Research Programs

• Telescopes and Instruments