by Chad Jocius | Sep 4, 2023 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Tuesday (November 28) 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what someone standing in the same spot in the past saw and thought when they looked up?
500 years ago contact between Europeans and Indigenous Americans of the time changed the world, resulting in the collapse of Aztec and Inca empires and triggering a hemispheric pandemic that may have caused the Little Ice Age which ensued. Prior to this contact, indigenous American conceptions of the sky had no input from the astronomical ideas circulating in the rest of the world.
On Tuesday, November 28, in a series of short, five-to-fifteen-minute presentations by UW-Parkside students currently enrolled in the Astronomy of Native America course, we will explore the range of astronomical understanding and beliefs among indigenous groups of the Americas from the Inuit peoples of the Arctic to the Maya, the most astronomical advanced civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.
Presentations begin at 7:30 pm and proceed until completion, estimated around 9:30 pm. Questions are welcome at the end of each presentation. Weather-permitting, the presentations will be given outside the Heide Observatory dome (directions here), and the observatory will be open afterward for a brief tour and night-time sky viewing. In the event of rain, the presentations will be held inside the Hawthorn Hollow Pike House.
Have questions? Please contact us at Observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
For reservations click here
by Chad Jocius | Aug 12, 2023 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Saturday October 21, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
POSTPONED TO SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 DUE TO RAIN
International Observe the Moon Night is an annual public outreach event sponsored by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission, the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and other NASA and astronomical organizations that encourages observation, appreciation, and understanding of our Moon and its connection to planetary science and exploration. Everyone on Earth is invited to join the celebration by hosting or attending an event or participating as a lunar observer — and uniting on one day each year to look at and learn about the Moon together.
The Heide Observatory at Hawthorn Hollow will be using multiple telescopes along with live stream of NASA’s coverage on our outdoor flat screen to view the moon with amazing clarity. Come out and learn all there is to know about our closest neighbor and partner in the solar system.
This event requires tickets, but they are solely based on donations to sustain the operational needs of the observatory. Your donation (which covers one ticket) is greatly appreciated. Kindly reach out to us at observatory@hawthornhollow.org to confirm the number of reservations you’d like to make after making your donation through the link below.
Find Tickets Here
by Chad Jocius | Aug 9, 2023 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Saturday October 14, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
The North American eclipse of October 14, 2023 is an upcoming celestial event eagerly anticipated by astronomy enthusiasts in North America. During this eclipse, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, causing the Sun to appear as a “ring of fire” in the sky. This unique phenomenon occurs when the Moon is at its farthest point from the Earth, and it appears smaller than the Sun, creating a ring-like effect. The eclipse is not visible everywhere in the Earth, but the Moon’s shadow follows a path that will begin in Oregon and pass through parts of Utah, New Mexico and Texas, before crossing over the Gulf of Mexico, much of Central America, a wide swath of Colombia and Brazil, ending in the south Atlantic Ocean. Observers in these areas can see the “ring of fire” effect created by the Moon passing in front of the Sun. The donut or annulus shape of the visible portion of the Sun gives this type of eclipse its name: annular solar eclipse.
In southeastern Wisconsin, only a 40% eclipse is on the horizon, and we’re well-prepared with a variety of devices to ensure everyone can partake in this extraordinary celestial occurrence. Additionally, our staff and volunteers will help you delve into insights about our star and its significance for life here on Earth.
This event requires tickets, but they are solely based on donations to sustain the operational needs of the observatory. Your donation (which covers one ticket) is greatly appreciated. Kindly reach out to us at observatory@hawthornhollow.org to confirm the number of reservations you’d like to make when you make a donation through the link below.
Tickets Here
by William Parker | Aug 1, 2023 | Education, Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Friday, September 1 (9:00 pm – 11:00 pm)
Come out to the Heide Observatory and observe the moon in the evening sky, as it will guide you to Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune, and Uranus the gas giants of our solar system. Given clear skies, you can’t miss these bright worlds. The moon is the second-brightest celestial object, after the sun. Learn about the moon and these amazing worlds as we view them through our telescopes.
This event may need to be rescheduled if the cloud cover outlook is over 40%. Please watch for a confirmation email from the observatory.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather, and insect repellent is highly recommended.
Note: Jupiter and Uranus will not be visible until near 11:00 pm.
Find tickets here!
Questions about this event or others please contact us at observatory@hawthornhollow.org
by Chad Jocius | Apr 26, 2023 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Saturday (August 12) 11:15 pm – 1:15 am
The Perseid meteor shower (also known as The Perseids) is perhaps the most popular meteor shower of the year, visible between July and August. With clear skies, you could see what some consider the most spectacular cosmic light show.
American spectators can expect to see the greatest number of meteors during the shower’s peak between Aug. 12-13 this year, according to the American Meteor Society (AMS).
Every year, Earth passes through the path of Comet Swift-Tuttle from July 17 to Aug. 24, with the shower’s peak — when Earth passes through the densest, dustiest area — occurring Aug. 12-13. That means you’ll see the most meteors in the shortest amount of time near that time. Years without moonlight see higher rates of meteors per hour, and in outburst years (such as in 2016) the rate can be between 150-200 meteors an hour.
Reserve your tickets for The Schoolyard Observatory Perseids Meteor shower event and enjoy a relaxing display of the meteors as you lay back in our zero gravity chairs. Tickets for this event go fast so reserve yours today.
Any questions? Contact us at Observatory@hawthornhollow.org
Purchase Tickets Here
by William Parker | Apr 25, 2023 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Wednesday, June 28 – Saturday, July 1 (8:00 pm – 11:00 pm)
Calling all aspiring space explorers! Prepare for an awe-inspiring space camp adventure at the Heide Observatory four consecutive nights June 28 to July 1, 2023, from 8:00 – 11:00 pm, timed to capture the midsummer sunset and the emergence of the night sky. Discover the wonders of our universe through these topics: planets & orbits; motion, gravity, size, & density; sun, stars, & star formation; and exoplanets and exomoons. Get ready for hands-on activities and direct observation as we explore the night sky. Engage in interactive experiments, gaze at stars through telescopes, and use your creativity and imagination to capture your experiences along the way. Join us for an out-of-this-world adventure that will ignite your curiosity and fuel your dreams of space exploration!
Register each participant by purchasing a ticket here or sending a check or money order to the address below by June 14 to secure their spots in this engaging opportunity. In addition a registration survey will be sent to the email address give and should be filled out before June 21. One parent or guardian is welcome to accompany each space explorer, and one must accompany any attendee under age 8. Each participant will receive a small binder and observatory pencil to collect and document their creations during this journey.
Space camp offers exciting outdoor activities that allow participants to explore the wonders of the universe. As a part of this experience, it is essential for all attendees to come prepared for varying nighttime temperatures and potential space mosquito exposure. We kindly request that everyone wears appropriate clothing to stay comfortable and protected.
Feel free to email us with with questions at Observatory@hawthornhollow.org
Heide Observatory
Re: Space Camp
880 Green Bay Rd
Kenosha, WI 53144
