MacAdam Observatory- Astro Enthusiasts

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MacAdam Observatory- Astro Enthusiasts

Stargazing enthusiasts unite! Join us at Macadam Observatory for exploring the wonders of the cosmos.

09/08/2026

☀️ LOOK UP! The Sun is putting on a show this fall! 🔭

Want to see the Sun up close? Join the MacAdam Student Observatory for Solar Viewing Wednesdays throughout September and October!

🔭 Wednesdays | 12–1 PM
📍 Lawn near the William T. Young Library
☀️ Weather permitting

Come take a look through our solar telescope and safely observe our closest star! You might even spot sunspots and other features on the Sun’s surface. 🌞✨

Weather can be unpredictable, so follow us for updates and cancellations!

09/07/2026

🌌 SKY TALK IS BACK! 🌌

What do Vulcan, Pluto, warped space and time, and solar eclipses have in common? 👀

Join us this Thursday for our monthly Kentucky Sky Talk, where our very own Gary Ferland will take us back to one of the most exciting moments in the history of astronomy in his talk:

🔭 “The Day Einstein Was Proven Right”

📍 ChemPhys Building, Room 114
🗓️ This Thursday
🎟️ Free and open to the public!

And the night doesn’t end there! 🌙✨ Weather permitting, we’ll head over to the MacAdam Student Observatory after the talk to explore the night sky through our telescope. Come take a look at the Moon, planets, stars, and whatever else the Kentucky sky has in store. 🔭

Sky Talk is a chance to learn about the exciting work happening in Physics & Astronomy while experiencing astronomy for yourself. Whether you’re a longtime stargazer or have never looked through a telescope before, we’d love to see you there!

🌟 Bring your curiosity. We’ll bring the universe.

08/29/2026

Had a great turn out at our lunar eclipse viewing! Thank you to those who stopped by to enjoy this deep umbral eclipse. Check out some of the highlights from the night below!

The next partial lunar eclipse will occur on January 12th 2028. Check out this page for the dates and details of future lunar eclipses.
https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEdecade/LEdecade2021.html

08/25/2026

The UK department of Physics and Astronomy invites you to join us at the MacAdam Student Observatory to view the upcoming lunar eclipse through our 20" telescope. Weather permitting we will be there from 10:30 pm when the moon starts to enter Earth's shadow until the eclipse concludes around 2:00 am. The peak of this deep umbral eclipse will occur at 12:12 am. Drop by or stay for the whole event!

08/10/2026

Kentucky SkyTalk presents: RR Lyrae Variables: How Ancient Stars Drive Modern Astronomy
Thursday, August 13th
7:00 PM
Chem-Physics 153, University of Kentucky
Join us for a talk by Erica Lengyel
Abstract: Since they were first discovered RR Lyrae variable stars have been an important tool and source of mystery for astronomers. In this talk we will explore the history and properties of RR Lyrae stars and the many ways they are utilized by astronomers to help understand galaxies. We will also learn about the exciting potential and future of research with these variable stars.
After the talk, step across the street to the MacAdam Observatory for telescope viewing (weather permitting)!
This event is free and open to the public.
Free parking is available just across the street after 6pm in the UK parking structure 2 at 301 Hilltop Ave. Lexington, KY
Happening every second Thursday of the month.
Visit https://observatory.as.uky.edu/skytalk for more information, and https://observatory.as.uky.edu/sky-talk-past-schedule for our full schedule.
Can't make it in person? Livestream the event from our youtube channel:
https://youtube.com/

07/03/2026

Kentucky SkyTalk presents: How Did Everything Begin?
Thursday, July 9th
7:00 PM
Chem-Physics 114, University of Kentucky
Join us for a talk by Dr. Maryam Dehghanian
Abstract: In this talk, we will explore how an ancient human question became a scientific investigation. Rather than treating the Big Bang as a single mysterious explosion, we will follow the evidence. Along the way, we will ask what the Big Bang model explains well, what it does not claim to explain, and why ideas like inflation, dark matter, and dark energy remain some of the biggest open questions in modern cosmology. No prior cosmology background is needed — just curiosity.
After the talk, step across the street to the MacAdam Observatory for telescope viewing (weather permitting)!
This event is free and open to the public.
Free parking is available just across the street after 6pm in the UK parking structure #2 at 301 Hilltop Ave. Lexington, KY
Happening every second Thursday of the month.
Visit https://observatory.as.uky.edu/skytalk for more information, and https://observatory.as.uky.edu/sky-talk-past-schedule for our full schedule.

06/05/2026

Kentucky SkyTalk presents: Galaxies, Black Holes, and the Virtual Universe
Thursday, June 11th
7:00 PM
Chem-Physics 114, University of Kentucky
Join us for a talk by Dr. Julianne Goddard
Abstract: Modern astronomy allows scientists to recreate the evolution of the universe inside powerful supercomputers using numerical simulations. In this SkyTalk, we’ll explore how these virtual universes help astronomers study the formation and evolution of galaxies over billions of years, and how supermassive black holes can dramatically influence the galaxies that host them.
After the talk, step across the street to the MacAdam Observatory for telescope viewing (weather permitting)!
This event is free and open to the public.
Free parking is available just across the street after 6pm in the UK parking structure #2 at 301 Hilltop Ave. Lexington, KY
Happening every second Thursday of the month.
Visit https://observatory.as.uky.edu/skytalk for more information, and https://observatory.as.uky.edu/sky-talk-past-schedule for our full schedule.
Can't make it in person? Livestream the event from our youtube channel:
https://youtube.com/ See less

05/29/2026

This month, the sky treats us to a celestial meetup as Venus and Jupiter appear side by side after sunset.

Look low toward the western horizon just after sunset to catch this stunning planetary pairing. Their closer approach will be on June 8th and 9th.

Included is a map of the sky to help with finding the event. Happy viewing!

05/07/2026

Kentucky SkyTalk presents: From Contact to Cosmos: Discovering the Very Large Array
Thursday, May 14th
7:00 PM
Chem-Physics 153, University of Kentucky

Join us for a talk by Dr. Thomas Troland
Abstract: In the May Kentucky SkyTalk we explore the Very Large Array, one of the world’s premier radio astronomy observatories. We’ll uncover how astronomers use radio waves to study the hidden universe through stunning visuals and an engagingly narrated film featuring Jodie Foster, along with personal insights from our own Dr. Tom Troland’s research experience with the array.

After the talk, step across the street to the MacAdam Observatory for telescope viewing (weather permitting)!

This event is free and open to the public.

Free parking is available just across the street after 6pm in the UK parking structure #2 at 301 Hilltop Ave. Lexington, KY

Happening every second Thursday of the month.
Visit https://observatory.as.uky.edu/skytalk for more information, and https://observatory.as.uky.edu/sky-talk-past-schedule for our full schedule.

Can't make it in person? Livestream the event from our youtube channel:
https://youtube.com/

03/31/2026

Kentucky SkyTalk presents:
Are we alone? Interstellar Intelligence and Interstellar Travel

Thursday, April 9th
7:00 PM
Chem-Physics 114, University of Kentucky

Join us for a talk by Dr. Yuanyuan Su

Abstract: We live on a small planet orbiting an ordinary star, in a galaxy of hundreds of billions of stars, among hundreds of billions of galaxies. Given these vast numbers, it is natural to ask whether life — and perhaps intelligent life — exists elsewhere. In this talk, I will discuss our efforts to search for extraterrestrial intelligent life and the prospects for interstellar travel.

After the talk, step across the street to the MacAdam Observatory for telescope viewing (weather permitting)!

This event is free and open to the public.

Free parking is available just across the street after 6pm in the UK parking structure #2 at 301 Hilltop Ave. Lexington, KY

Happening every second Thursday of the month.

Visit https://observatory.as.uky.edu/skytalk for more information, and https://observatory.as.uky.edu/sky-talk-past-schedule for our full schedule.

Can't make it in person? Livestream the event from our youtube channel:
https://youtube.com/

Address

301 Hilltop Avenue (Parking Garage Structure #2)
Lexington, KY
40506

Website

https://observatory.as.uky.edu/

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