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The dome of the Campus Observatory is set to undergo renovations starting in July 2025 thanks to the work of the Friends of the Observatory.
Credit
Jake Keister
Beneath its weathered dome, the Campus Observatory has housed groundbreaking discoveries and served as a gathering place where generations of students have explored the cosmos and built lasting bonds. But in recent years, the observatory has been weathered by time and the elements, prompting a dedicated group of alumni and supporters to step in and help restore its legacy.
Friends of the Observatory is working to ensure that future students can experience the same wonder they did. Led by alumni like Mike Svec (B.S., 1988, Physics), the group is rallying support for preserving this historic landmark, hoping to restore the building and strengthen the community that has always surrounded it.
A community effort to save a legacy
The Friends of the Observatory was first formed in 2010. “There was a break-in,” Svec recalled. “I had just happened to be driving through, and it was my first time back in a while.” While the damage from the vandalism was minimal, the condition of the building was shocking for Mike and others to see. “Dave Leake (B.S., 1983, Physics) and Leslie Looney were up there. We were standing in the dome, and we all were surprised by how much the observatory had deteriorated.”
Water damage from leaks in the roof had begun to chip away at some of the paint and rot some of the wood in the building. Standing in the dome, they asked themselves: ‘What if a group of alumni could help?’ From that conversation, Friends of the Observatory was born. Years later, their efforts have helped secure a $500,000 Save America’s Treasures Grant from the National Park Service, combined with matching deferred maintenance funds from campus, to support much-needed renovations to the building’s exterior.
Why the observatory matters
For Svec, the observatory is more than just a historic structure—it’s a place where students find community, inspiration, and hands-on experience with the stars.
“There’s something powerful about this place,” he said. “Even last night, there were several generations of astronomers. There are old-timers like me, the undergrads, and then there are students passing through. Some of the activity was centered on the telescope, but some of it was gathered in the corner sitting on the couches, gathered and talking, and just having a place together where you can find a community having a shared love of the sky.”
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Former director of the Campus Observatory Joel Stebbins and physicist Jakub Kunz pioneered photoelectric photometry in the campus observatory using photoelectric cells like this one.
Credit
Jake Keister
The observatory has played a pivotal role in astronomical research, particularly through the work of Dr. Joel Stebbins, who pioneered photoelectric photometry at the site. His research revolutionized astronomical imaging and laid the foundation for modern digital imaging, including the technology used in today’s phone cameras. This groundbreaking work was a crucial step in the evolution of astronomical observation, bridging the past with the future of scientific discovery. It is also one of the key reasons the observatory was designated as a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its lasting impact on the field.
Challenges and the road ahead
For alumni like Svec, preserving the observatory is about more than nostalgia—it’s about ensuring that future students can experience the same sense of wonder and connection that shaped their journeys through University of Illinois Astronomical Society events like public open houses and other observing sessions.
“Some of the best nights have been when I’ve been there myself,” Svec reflected, “some of them have been with others, and some have been teaching. Probably where I learned that I wanted to become a teacher was from public open houses.”
The hope is that by rallying alumni support, Friends of the Observatory can create a living legacy where future students can walk through the doors, look through the telescope, and feel the same spark of discovery that has drawn people here for over a century and perhaps find their passions.
“Right now,” Svec explains, “with the grant, we’re putting in about a million dollars on the exterior, which should make it water-tight. Then, that will permit the next step, which will be addressing the interior. It has the potential to be a functional classroom space again easily. We just have to invest in bricks and mortar on the inside to make it more functional.“ The bid opening is scheduled for May of 2025, with construction set to begin in late July of the same year and continue through the fall semester.
As the next phase of work begins, the Friends of the Observatory are reaching out to alumni, inviting them to play a role in preserving this historic space. Contributions—whether financial, hands-on expertise, or advocacy—will help fund restorations, enhance student opportunities, and keep the observatory’s doors open for future generations to experience the wonder of the night sky.
If you want to receive the Friends of the Observatory’s quarterly newsletters or learn more about the group, please contact Mike Svec at mtsvec@gmail.com.
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