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!
Ready to take things to the next level? Join us at the Heide Observatory for our advanced Space Camp experience, designed for curious minds who want to build, test, and think like real engineers.
Campers will dive deeper into physics and space science—testing ideas, refining designs, and learning how real-world space missions are planned and executed.
✨ Limited to just 12 students to ensure a highly engaging, hands-on experience.
Join us at the Heide Observatory for our 4th year of Space Camp—and for the first time ever, we’re offering a daytime camp experience designed especially for younger explorers!
