by William Parker | Mar 16, 2025 | Education, Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Wednesdays, (8:00 pm – 10:00 pm)
Enjoy a relaxing Wednesday Under the Stars hosted at the Heide Observatory. Sink into a zero-gravity chair with your favorite beverage in hand, and prepare for an unforgettable journey through the night sky. Our expert guides will illuminate celestial wonders using a laser pointer, revealing stars, planets, constellations, galaxies, and other captivating objects of interest. Immerse yourself in the enthralling stories of these objects as we unravel their relationships and delve into their deeper significance. Gaze and savor the enchantment of the cosmos in this unique and relaxing evening under the stars.
Within 24 hours of purchase, you will receive an email confirming your reservation. If your email address differs from the one used to purchase tickets, or you have any additional questions, please email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
These events are weather-dependent and will be rescheduled if the cloud cover forecast is greater than 40% or too few tickets are sold to fund the event staffing.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
by William Parker | Jan 16, 2025 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Saturday, March 29, 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Friday, March 28, 8:00 pm – 12:00 am
Are you new to astronomy and looking for a challenge? Been around the sun a few times and are ready to up your stargazing street cred? There’s no better way than to try and run a Messier Marathon.
The Messier objects are a collection of deep space objects catalogued by French astronomer Charles Messier in his Catalogue des Nébuleuses et des Amas d’Étoiles (“Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters”), originally published in 1771. The Messier objects themselves vary: in the catalog, you’ll find galaxies in a variety of forms, different kinds of nebulas, open star clusters, and globular star clusters. There are also a few unique objects: one supernova remnant (M1), one-star cloud (M24, our own galaxy), and one double star (M40).
In a Messier Marathon, you try and see all 110 Messier objects in a single night. Like a physical marathon, it takes planning and pacing to quickly move through over 100 deep space objects in a single night.
Whatever draws you to learn more about the Messier Marathon, you’re not alone. Every year, hundreds of astronomers undertake the challenge and head on out to the Schoolyard Observatory for some or all of the Messier Marathon where we will be attempting to discover all possible Messier objects with a number of telescopes and other amazing information on each object. Reservations are donation-based to help promote our fundraising efforts.
Please reserve and donate today.
In case of poor weather conditions this event will be rescheduled for Friday, April 4 at 8:00 pm.
Reserve tickets here or feel free to email observatory@hawthornhollow.org
If the email used to purchase tickets is different from your regular email, please check that email or contact me at the address below.
by William Parker | Apr 22, 2024 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Saturday June 1 & 15 (9:00 pm – 11:00 pm)
Are you eager to deepen your understanding of the night sky? Join our two-night Adult Astronomy class on the first and third Saturdays in June! In this engaging course, you’ll explore the layout of the celestial sphere, identify the ten brightest stars, and recognize important star patterns. We’ll also cover Moon rise and set patterns with phases, major visible constellations, and the brightness scale for observation. Additionally, you’ll learn about distances in space and the methods astronomers use to measure them.
This class combines interactive learning, night sky simulations, and direct observations, outdoors as weather permits. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge of astronomy!
To register, please purchase tickets here. Reservations include both evenings. In the event that a minimum of five total registrants has not been reached by May 31, the class will be canceled and your ticket refunded.
Feel free to email us with with questions at observatory@hawthornhollow.org
by William Parker | Feb 12, 2024 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Tuesday, March 19 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Hawthorn Hollow and the Heide Observatory invite you to celebrate the 2024 passing of the Sun into the northern celestial hemisphere and the first equal length day and night for this year.
Join us at the Heide Observatory on the night of Tuesday, March 19, starting at 6:30 pm for a March equinox party and simultaneously come experience the currently largest public-serving telescope in southeastern Wisconsin.
Your ticket will include: a walk to the restored prairie to view the sunset and look at the planets currently in the west through telescope and binoculars, a guided tour through the meadow solar system model, and views of the sky through our largest telescope along with a night-time sky tour of other celestial objects. Beverages and snacks will be included and the excess proceeds for the event will benefit the ongoing mission of the observatory.
In the event of inclimate weather the backup date will Saturday, March 23.
Please contact us by e-mail for more information or discounted group rates.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org
by William Parker | Nov 28, 2023 | Education, Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Wednesdays, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Indulge in the ultimate sensory experience at “Wine Wednesday Under the Stars” hosted at the picturesque Heide Observatory. Sink blissfully into a zero-gravity chair with your favorite wine or beverage in hand, and prepare for an unforgettable journey through the night sky. Our expert guides will illuminate celestial wonders using a laser pointer, revealing stars, planets, constellations, galaxies, and other captivating objects of interest. Immerse yourself in the enthralling stories of these objects as we unravel their relationships and delve into their deeper significance. Sip, gaze, and savor the enchantment of the cosmos in this unique and relaxing evening under the stars.
These events are weather-dependent and will be rescheduled by e-mail 24 hours before scheduled if the cloud cover forecast is greater than 40% or too few tickets are sold to fund the event staffing.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
