One of the best-kept secrets at NIU is the Davis Hall observatory, which overlooks the East Lagoon.
The primary goal of the Observatory is to serve as an educational resource for NIU students and the northern Illinois community. The public is invited to visit the Observatory whenever NIU is in session.
There was a special event for families Capturing the Colorful Cosmos on September 12 and 19 and a similar event is being planned for early 2010. Another special event to try and observe a lunar impact occurred on October 9, 2009.
Davis Hall Room 703
Normal & Locust Rds.
DeKalb, IL 60115
Davis Hall is located on Normal Rd., about one block north of Lincoln Highway. After 7:00 p.m. parking is available in the parking garage located kitty-corner from Davis Hall.
Take the Davis Hall elevator up to the 5th floor, go left to the end of the hallway, go right to the end of hallway and through the door, where you will find a staircase. Follow the signs up the staircase to Room 703.
The observatory is open the following hours when NIU is in session (except finals week). While the observatory will be open on cloudy days, it is much better to visit when the skies are clear.
April-September: Tuesday and Friday
9 to 11 p.m.
October - March: Tuesday and Friday
8 to 10 p.m.
Other times (like the summer or over winter break), contact the managers or the department.
Observatory Manager:
Matt Wiesner
E-mail:
Observatory Phone:
(815) 753-1305
Physics Dept Phone:
(815) 753-1772