by William Parker | Aug 18, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Tuesday (September 14) 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Mercury’s orbit lies closer to the Sun than the Earth’s, meaning it always appears close to the Sun and is lost in the Sun’s glare much of the time.
It is observable for only a few weeks each time it reaches the greatest separation from the Sun – moments referred to as greatest elongation. These apparitions repeat roughly once every 3–4 months, taking place alternately in the morning and evening skies, depending on whether Mercury lies to the east of the Sun or to the west.
When it lies to the east, it rises and sets a short time after the Sun and is visible in the early evening twilight. On September 14 it will have a 26.8° eastern elongation. Observing conditions will be better at lower latitudes, from where it will be setting approximately 1.5 hours after the sun.
Come out to the Schoolyard Observatory where we will take a trip to the Western field and view Mercury through binoculars and a few field telescopes. After which we will explore other planets and our moon through our telescopes.
This 2-hour session will be confirmed by email at least 24 hours before scheduled according to the cloud cover forecast (< 30%). Tickets are transferable for any observatory nightly event in cases of poor weather conditions.
Have questions? Please contact us at Observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
Safety Precautions: During events, 6-foot social distancing will be maintained, and wearing face masks are recommended but not mandatory. Telescope eyepiece and ladder handles will be sanitized before and after each use. Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather, and plan for the blood-sucking flying insects.
Purchase Tickets Here or call 262-552-8196.
by William Parker | Jul 18, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Fridays (July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30) 8:00 – 9:30 pm
Bring the family out to the Schoolyard Observatory and take a trip through the solar system on the meadow as we learn about the size and distance of our closest neighbors. Take our interactive trip followed by an adventure through the telescope to view the planets and other amazing objects. “Space” is limited to 10 total individuals so reserve your tickets early.
Contact observatory@hawthornhollow.org for group/family rate discounts.
Please remember to dress appropriate for an outdoor trek through the solar system (the field) and do not forget the bug spray as they are hungry!
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
by William Parker | May 31, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Mondays (June 7, 14, 28) 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Relax in a zero-gravity chair while we guide you through the night sky, using our laser pointer to show you stars, planets, constellations, galaxies, and other objects of interest while explaining their relationships and significance.
These events are weather-dependent and will be canceled by e-mail 24-hours before the scheduled start time in the event of a cloud cover forecast greater than 30%.
Dress appropriately for being still in nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org
by William Parker | May 28, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Fridays (June 4, 11, 18, 25) 8:30 – 10:00 pm
Bring the family out to the Schoolyard Observatory and take a trip through the solar system on the meadow as we learn about the size and distance of our closest neighbors. Take our interactive trip followed by an adventure through the telescope to view the planets and other amazing objects. “Space” is limited to 10 total individuals so reserve your tickets early.
Contact observatory@hawthornhollow.org for group/family rate discounts.
Please remember to bundle up as it is very cold in space! Snow boots and extra layers are highly recommended.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
by William Parker | May 28, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Saturday (June 5) 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
The Milky Way sits near the middle of an assembly of galaxies called the Local Group. This gathering, 10 million light-years wide, lives on the edge of an even larger collection of galaxy clumps called the Local, or Virgo, Supercluster.
As telescopes became more powerful, astronomers could take larger surveys, cataloging more galaxies and their motions, forming a bigger picture: galaxies concentrated along a plane in space. Just as most of the Milky Way’s stars reside in a thin disk, so do most of the galaxies in the Local Supercluster lie along the supercluster’s equator. The center of our supercluster shares a spot in the sky with the constellation Virgo.
Come out to the Schoolyard Observatory as we take you on a trip to our “closest” neighbors within the Virgo Supercluster.
Each 2-hour session will be confirmed by email at least 24 hours before scheduled according to the cloud cover forecast (< 30%). Tickets are transferable for any observatory nightly event in cases of poor weather conditions.
Have questions? Please contact us at Observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
Safety Precautions: During events, 6-foot social distancing will be maintained, and wearing a facial mask will be required. Telescope eyepiece and ladder handles will be sanitized before and after each use. Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather, and plan for the blood-sucking flying insects.
Purchase tickets here or call 262-552-8196.
