When you gaze up at the night sky, beyond the veil of stars and the glowing plane of the Milky Way, you are also looking backward in time.
Join us at the Heide Observatory for Time Travel Through the Universe, an evening dedicated to exploring how distance in space becomes a journey into the past. Although nearly all galaxies are invisible to the naked eye, our observable universe contains hundreds of billions of them, stretching tens of billions of light-years in every direction. Using our 17-inch telescope, we will tour visible galaxies and explain how the light reaching your eyes began its journey millions of years ago. Even the Andromeda Galaxy, the most distant object most people can see without optical aid, appears to us as it existed 2.5 million years ago, long before modern humans walked the Earth. This guided observing experience blends deep-sky viewing with cosmic perspective, revealing how astronomy allows us to witness the universe as it once was.
🔔 Important Event Information — Late Evening / Overnight Event (Summer)
Weather-Dependent Event:
This program requires clear skies. If cloud cover greater than 40% is forecast, the event will be canceled or rescheduled. Notification will be sent by email no later than 24 hours before the scheduled start time.
Email Communication Is Critical:
Weather updates and event notices are sent to the email address used at ticket checkout. Please double-check that your email is correct and keep an eye on spam or promotions folders. If you purchase tickets using an email you rarely check, the cosmos will not notify you directly.
Comfort & Conditions:
Even on warm summer nights, temperatures can drop after sunset—dress warmer than you think you’ll need. Lower dew points can also lead to damp conditions, so blankets or chairs that can handle moisture are recommended.
December 12, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Meteor Mash II, 7:15 pm – 9:15 pm)
Join us at the Heide Observatory for Meteor Mash: Geminids, an evening meteor event featuring one of the most active and consistently impressive meteor showers of the year.
Unlike most meteor showers, the Geminids originate from debris left behind by asteroid 3200 Phaethon, producing frequent, bright meteors with slower speeds and vivid colors that make them especially noticeable. Geminid meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Gemini, though streaks can be seen across much of the sky, with activity often increasing as the night progresses.
Tickets include the use of our anti-gravity chairs, allowing guests to sit back and enjoy the sky in comfort. For best viewing, guests are encouraged to face away from artificial lights, allow time for their eyes to adjust to the darkness, and scan wide sections of the sky rather than focusing on a single point. Observatory staff will explain why the Geminids behave differently from comet-based meteor showers and what makes this event one of the most reliable and rewarding meteor displays of the year. As always, meteor viewing depends on clear skies and atmospheric conditions, but patience during the Geminids is often rewarded with frequent and memorable displays.
🔔 Important Event Information — Evening Event (Winter)
Weather-Dependent Event:
This program requires clear skies. If cloud cover greater than 40% is forecast, the event will be canceled or rescheduled. Notification will be sent by email no later than 24 hours before the event.
Email Communication Is Critical:
All weather updates, cancellations, or rescheduling notices are sent to the email address used at ticket checkout. Please ensure your email is correct and check spam or promotions folders. If you purchased tickets using a different email than you regularly monitor, you may miss important updates.
Dress for Cold, Stationary Observing:
This is an outdoor, late evening or early-morning event. Dress warmer than you think necessary. Multiple layers, insulated boots, hats, gloves, blankets, or sleeping bags are strongly recommended. Warm beverages are encouraged.
Join us at the Heide Observatory for Fireball Frenzy: Taurids, an evening meteor event focused on one of the most unusual and visually striking meteor showers of the year.
The Taurid meteor shower originates from debris left behind by Comet 2P/Encke, producing fewer meteors overall but a higher chance of slow-moving, exceptionally bright fireballs that can linger in the sky. Taurid meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Taurus, though their long paths allow them to be seen across much of the sky. Tickets include the use of our anti-gravity chairs, allowing guests to relax comfortably while observing.
For best viewing, guests are encouraged to face away from artificial lights, allow their eyes time to adjust to the darkness, and scan wide areas of the sky rather than focusing on a single point. Observatory staff will explain why the Taurids are associated with larger debris fragments, how fireballs form, and what makes this shower different from higher-rate meteor events. While activity can be sporadic and unpredictable, the Taurids offer the potential for some of the most dramatic individual meteors of the year under clear skies.
🔔 Important Event Information — Evening Event (Winter)
Weather-Dependent Event:
This program requires clear skies. If cloud cover greater than 40% is forecast, the event will be canceled or rescheduled. Notification will be sent by email no later than 24 hours before the event.
Email Communication Is Critical:
All weather updates, cancellations, or rescheduling notices are sent to the email address used at ticket checkout. Please ensure your email is correct and check spam or promotions folders. If you purchased tickets using a different email than you regularly monitor, you may miss important updates.
Dress for Cold, Stationary Observing:
This is an outdoor, late evening or early-morning event. Dress warmer than you think necessary. Multiple layers, insulated boots, hats, gloves, blankets, or sleeping bags are strongly recommended. Warm beverages are encouraged.
Join us at the Heide Observatory for Dragonfire Skies: Draconids, an early-evening meteor observing event featuring one of the most unpredictable meteor showers of the year.
The Draconid meteor shower is produced by debris from Comet 21P/Giacobini–Zinner and is known for occasional outbursts rather than steady activity, with meteor rates that can vary significantly from year to year. Draconid meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Draco, and unlike many meteor showers, they are best observed early in the evening, shortly after sunset.
Tickets include access to our anti-gravity chairs, providing a relaxed and comfortable way to watch the sky. For best viewing, guests are encouraged to face away from bright lights and scan large sections of the sky, as Draconids often appear suddenly and briefly. Observatory staff will discuss why this shower behaves differently from others, how comet dust trails create sudden meteor bursts, and what makes the Draconids a unique and occasionally surprising skywatching experience. While this is typically a lower-rate shower, even a small number of meteors can make for a memorable early-night observing session when conditions are favorable.
🔔 Important Event Information — Evening Event (Winter)
Weather-Dependent Event:
This program requires clear skies. If cloud cover greater than 40% is forecast, the event will be canceled or rescheduled. Notification will be sent by email no later than 24 hours before the event.
Email Communication Is Critical:
All weather updates, cancellations, or rescheduling notices are sent to the email address used at ticket checkout. Please ensure your email is correct and check spam or promotions folders. If you purchased tickets using a different email than you regularly monitor, you may miss important updates.
Dress for Cold, Stationary Observing:
This is an outdoor, late evening or early-morning event. Dress warmer than you think necessary. Multiple layers, insulated boots, hats, gloves, blankets, or sleeping bags are strongly recommended. Warm beverages are encouraged.
Join us at the Heide Observatory for a rare Lunar Occultation of Jupiter, an early-morning observing event on October 6 from 3:00 AM – 5:00 AM, when the Moon will move across the sky and temporarily block Jupiter from view.
During this event, guests will observe Jupiter approach the Moon, disappear behind its edge, and later reappear as the Moon continues its orbit, offering a dramatic demonstration of celestial motion in real time. Observatory staff will guide guests through telescope viewing and explain why occultations occur, how the Moon’s motion reveals the dynamics of our solar system, and why events like this are visible only from certain locations on Earth.
This is an early-morning (AM) event, and viewing success depends on timing and clear skies, but when conditions cooperate, lunar occultations provide some of the most striking and memorable planetary observations available.
🔔 Important Event Information — Evening Event (Fall)
Weather-Dependent Event:
This program requires clear skies. If cloud cover greater than 40% is forecast, the event will be canceled or rescheduled. Notification will be sent by email no later than 24 hours before the event.
Email Communication Is Critical:
All weather updates, cancellations, or rescheduling notices are sent to the email address used at ticket checkout. Please ensure your email is correct and check spam or promotions folders. If you purchased tickets using a different email than you regularly monitor, you may miss important updates.
Dress for Cold, Stationary Observing:
This is an outdoor, late evening or early-morning event. Dress warmer than you think necessary. Multiple layers, insulated boots, hats, gloves, blankets, or sleeping bags are strongly recommended. Warm beverages are encouraged.
Rise and shine, the planets are putting on a show!
🌌Join us the morning of September 5 at The Heide Observatory at Hawthorn Hollow for a one-of-a-kind pre-dawn cosmic adventure. August mornings bring the perfect window to catch planets rising just before sunrise, and we’ll be watching for Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune—and maybe even a surprise appearance by Mercury!
After planet-gazing, we’ll welcome the sunrise with a hot pancake and sausage breakfast (yes, coffee and juice too!) while enjoying the peaceful early-morning magic of Hawthorn Hollow. The pancake photo may be a space-level exaggeration, but we promise they’ll still be delicious. 🥞☕
🌤 Weather Watch: This event is weather-dependent and will be rescheduled if cloud cover exceeds 40%. If that happens, the backup date is the very next morning, at 3:00 AM. Because it’s an early start, please check the email used to purchase tickets before heading out.
👕 What to Wear: Dress for nighttime outdoor conditions, it can be cool before sunrise!
🎟 Tickets are limited, so don’t sleep on this (even though it’s early). Reserve your spot today and join us for planets, pancakes, and an unforgettable start to the day. Get your tickets here!
