by William Parker | Apr 24, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Friday (May 7) 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Eta Aquariids, also sometimes known as the Eta Aquarids, are one of two meteor showers from Halley’s comet. Its sister shower, the Orionids, will peak in October. Specks from the Eta Aquariids streak through the sky at about 148,000 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest meteor showers. Its display is better seen from the Southern Hemisphere where people normally enjoy between 20 and 30 meteors per hour during its peak. The Northern Hemisphere tends to see about half as many.
Come out to The Schoolyard Observatory and enjoy a relaxing evening as we sit back in our anti-gravity chairs, watch the meteors fall as we point out other interesting night sky objects.
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.
Purchase tickets here, or call 262-552-8196.
by William Parker | Apr 17, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Friday (Apr. 30) 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
This year, we’ll be treated to two supermoons, with the first occurring on April 26 and the second on May 26. Supermoons are said to be bigger and brighter than your average full Moon.
Just how big and how bright, exactly? On average, supermoons are about 7% bigger and about 15% brighter than a typical full Moon. However, unless you were to see a regular full Moon and a supermoon side by side in the sky, the difference is very, very difficult to notice!
Even though we will be a few days past the actual full moon, come on out to the Schoolyard Observatory and view the moon and learn all about the supermoons and we will take a look at other interesting objects in the night sky.
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.
Purchase tickets here or call 262-552-8196.
by William Parker | Dec 1, 2020 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Monday (Dec. 21) 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Astronomers use the word conjunction to describe meetings of planets and other objects on our sky’s dome. They use the term great conjunction to describe meetings of Jupiter and Saturn, the two biggest worlds in our solar system. The next great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will be December 21, 2020. It’ll be the first Jupiter-Saturn conjunction since the year 2000, and the closest Jupiter-Saturn conjunction since the year 1623! At their closest, Jupiter and Saturn will be only 0.1 degrees apart. That’s just 1/5 of a full moon diameter.
The extra-close Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in 2020 won’t be matched again until the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction of March 15, 2080.
Reserve your tickets today for this spectacular show. The planets are low in the sky so we have to get an earlier start to this rare great conjunction. Tickets are limited so reserve early.
This event is 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 call 262-552-8196.
by William Parker | Dec 1, 2020 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Sunday (Dec. 13) 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm or 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Geminid meteor shower is one of the most active and reliable meteor showers of the year! They streak through the sky every minute or two all night. It is unique because the meteors are visible all night long, since the constellation Gemini arises just an hour or two after nightfall. Most meteor showers require you to wait until midnight or pre-dawn for the best viewing. The constellation Gemini is the radiant of the Geminid meteor shower, which means that it is the meteor shower’s point of origin. The Geminid meteors will appear to fall away from the constellation Gemini.
This is the best meteor shower of the year so reserve these limited tickets early!
This event is 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.
Questions? Feel free to contact us at observatory@hawthornhollow.org
Purchase 6:00-8:00pm tickets here, purchase 8:00-10:00pm tickets here, or call 262-552-8196.
by William Parker | Oct 27, 2020 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Friday (Nov. 20) 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Come out to the Schoolyard Observatory and observe the Moon in the evening sky, as it will guide you to Jupiter and Saturn, our solar system’s two biggest gas giant planets. Given clear skies, you can’t miss these bright worlds. The moon is the second-brightest celestial object, after the Sun, and Jupiter is exceptionally bright, too, outshining all the stars. As for Saturn, it’s as bright as the brightest stars. In addition, Jupiter and Saturn are noticeable now for their nearness to each other. They’re headed for a great conjunction before 2020 ends.
This event is 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.
by William Parker | Oct 27, 2020 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Friday (Nov. 6) 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Come out to Hawthorn Hollow Schoolyard Observatory and observe five amazing planets in one night. take turns looking through our 16-inch telescope at the Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Mars all in one night! while enjoying interesting facts about each planet.
This event is 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.
