100 Hours of Astronomy Friday, Apr 3 8-10pm UIS Barber Observatory Saturday, Apr 4 4-9pm Centennial Park Sunday, Apr 5 1-3pm UIS PAC, Conference Room F 206-6721 http://www.uis.edu/astronomy/ about/iya2009.html Free

The University of Illinois at Springfield, in partnership with the Sangamon Astronomical Society, has a series of events planned for this weekend in connection with 100 Hours of Astronomy to celebrate the International Year of Astronomy 2009. In addition to the regular Friday night star party, a special star party takes place Saturday at Centennial Park, on Springfield’s west side, and Sunday for the disabled at UIS’s observatory. A highlight of the weekend occurs Sunday, when UIS professors Charles Schweighauser and John Martin provide a presentation on the sun. As a bonus, participants may view the sun through special equipment following the lecture, weather permitting. No reservations are required for these events, except the star party for the disabled.