Small Eyes Under the Skies October 2020

by | Oct 4, 2020 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating

Fridays (Oct. 2, 16, 30) 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Bring your family and come take turns looking through our 16-inch telescope at binary stars, dim planets, distant galaxies, and other sky objects. Learn about these objects, their distances, sizes, and orbits as we take you on a two-hour tour of the night sky (though we will remain firmly on the ground). Space is limited to 10 total individuals so reserve your tickets early.

These events are weather-dependent, and each two-hour session will be cancelled by e-mail 24 hours before scheduled if the cloud cover forecast is greater than 30%.

Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.

Purchase tickets here or call 262-552-8196.

Through the Lens October 2020

Through the Lens October 2020

by | Oct 4, 2020 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating

Tuesdays and Thursdays (Oct. 6, 8, 13, 15) 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm; (Oct. 20, 22, 27, 29) 7:30pm – 9:30pm

Take turns looking through our 16-inch telescope at binary stars, dim planets, distant galaxies, and other sky objects. Between individual views in the observatory dome, receive a guided sky tour standing outside under the stars to appreciate the broader picture of what you see through the telescope.

These events are weather-dependent, and each two-hour session will be cancelled by e-mail 24 hours before scheduled if the cloud cover forecast is greater than 30%.

Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.

Purchase tickets here or call 262-552-8196.

Midnight Meteors – Orionids 2020

Midnight Meteors – Orionids 2020

by | Oct 4, 2020 | Education, Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time

Tuesday (Oct. 20) 11:30pm – Wednesday (Oct. 21) 1:30 am

The meteor shower created by the debris of Comet 1P/Halley each year when the Earth passes through its orbit appears to us to emanate from the constellation Orion, and hence this shower is called the Orionids. The Orionids are classified as a Class I Major Shower by the American Meteor Society, meaning that the shower’s rate of visible meteors show significant activity on a year-to-year basis. We expect to see about twenty meteors in an hour. This shower is predicted to peak on the evening of October 20, and its meteors will be most visible to us after Orion rises and our eyes are dark adjusted, radiating from a point in the eastern sky above the star Betelgeuse.

Come join us for a short orientation to the sky at 11:30pm and then a sublime wait for the chance meteor over the two hours following as Orion rises, reclined in our zero-gravity chairs, on Tuesday 11:30pm to Wednesday, October 21 from 1:30am.

This event is weather-dependent and will be cancelled by e-mail 24 hours before the scheduled start time in the event of cloud cover forecast greater than 20% overcast.

Dress appropriately for being still in the nighttime outdoor weather. Blankets and warm beverages are welcome.

Purchase tickets here or call 262-552-8196.

Beneath the Cosmos October 2020

Beneath the Cosmos October 2020

by | Oct 2, 2020 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating

Mondays (Oct. 5, 12) 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm; (Oct.19, 26) 7:30 pm – 9:30 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 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 call 262-552-8196

International Observe the Moon Night 2020

International Observe the Moon Night 2020

by | Sep 23, 2020 | Adult and Family Programs, Observatory, Observatory Events

International Observe the Moon Night is a time to come together with fellow Moon enthusiasts and curious people worldwide. Everyone on Earth is invited to learn about lunar science and exploration, take part in celestial observations, and honor cultural and personal connections to the Moon.

International Observe the Moon Night occurs annually in September when the Moon is around first quarter ― a great phase for evening observing. Furthermore, a first-quarter Moon offers excellent viewing opportunities along the terminator (the line between night and day), where shadows enhance the Moon’s cratered landscape.

Come out to the Schoolyard Observatory and enjoy a view of the moon while learning interesting facts about our closest celestial partner. Reservations are in blocks to help manage social distancing, and we ask that you sign up for a selected one-hour time block and attend only during that preselected time. Support our Schoolyard Observatory programming with a suggested donation of $5 per individual.

Safety Precautions: During events, six-foot social distancing will be maintained, and wearing a facial mask will be required. The telescope eyepiece and ladder handles will be sanitized before and after each use. Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather, and insect repellent is highly recommended.