by Chad Jocius | Jan 25, 2023 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Tonight January 31 6:30 – 8:30 pm
The comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) could be bright enough to be spotted with the naked eye as it passes the sun and Earth at the end of the first month of 2023. At the start of 2023 Earth will be visited by a newly discovered comet that may just be bright enough to be spotted with the naked eye.
The comet, named C/2022 E3 (ZTF), is currently passing through the inner solar system. It will make its closest approach to the sun, or perihelion, on Jan. 12, and will then whip past Earth making its closest passage of our planet, its perigee, between Feb. 1 and Feb. 2.
If the comet continues to brighten as it currently is, it could be visible in dark skies with the naked eye. This is difficult to predict for comets, but even if C/2022 E3 (ZTF) does fade it should still be visible with binoculars or a telescope for a number of days around its close approach. According to NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the comet has a period of around 50,000 years. This means that prior to it coming to within around 100 million miles (160 million kilometers) of the sun on Jan. 12 and 26 million miles (42 million kilometers) of Earth on Feb. 2, the last time it came so close was during the Upper Paleolithic period on Earth.
Clear skies for tonight Tuesday, January 31 at 6:30 pm Click here for tickets !
by William Parker | Jan 6, 2023 | Observatory
On the afternoon of December 12, Bryce Edwards with his parents delivered three interactive learning exhibits for visitors to the observatory that he coordinated the development of for his eagle scout project. For this project, he created a set of gravitational well simulators (pictured in foreground) to help visitors learn about orbital mechanics. Bryce worked with partners at Snap-on and Milwaukee School of Engineering to create a small mechanical solar system model (pictured on left), and he built a rolling ramp (pictured on right) to demonstrate how the mass of an object does not affect its acceleration due to gravity toward Earth as well as how same-sized objects can have very different masses. To celebrate his achievement, many scout leaders and collaborators came out to attend the official handover. We are excited to use these to help visitors connect more deeply with the universe!
by Chad Jocius | Dec 13, 2022 | Education, Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Wednesdays, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Relax in a zero-gravity chair with your own wine or beverage you bring while we guide you through the night sky, using our laser pointer to show you stars, planets, constellations, galaxies, and other objects of interest while explaining their relationships and significance.
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%.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
by Chad Jocius | Dec 13, 2022 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Thursdays, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Take turns looking through our 16-inch telescope at binary stars, dim planets, distant galaxies, and other sky objects. Between individual views in the observatory dome, receive a guided sky tour standing outside under the stars to appreciate the broader picture of what you see through the telescope.
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%.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
by Chad Jocius | Dec 13, 2022 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Mondays, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Relax in a zero-gravity chair while we guide you through the night sky, using our laser pointer to show you stars, planets, constellations, galaxies, and other objects of interest while explaining their relationships and significance.
These events are weather-dependent and will be rescheduled by e-mail 24-hours before the scheduled start time in the event of a cloud cover forecast greater than 40%.
Dress appropriately for being still in nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org
by Chad Jocius | Dec 13, 2022 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Fridays, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Bring the family out to the Schoolyard Observatory and take a trip through the solar system on the meadow as we learn about the size and distance of our closest neighbors. Take our interactive trip followed by an adventure through the telescope to view the planets and other amazing objects. “Space” is limited so reserve your tickets early.
In the event of cloud cover of more than 40% we will reschedule the event. Look for a confirmation email at least 24 hours prior to the event date.
Contact observatory@hawthornhollow.org for group/family rate discounts.
Please remember to dress appropriately for an outdoor trek through the solar system (the field).
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
