Midnight Meteors – Orionids 2020

by William Parker | Oct 4, 2020 | Education, Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time

Tuesday (Oct. 20) 11:30pm – Wednesday (Oct. 21) 1:30 am

The meteor shower created by the debris of Comet 1P/Halley each year when the Earth passes through its orbit appears to us to emanate from the constellation Orion, and hence this shower is called the Orionids. The Orionids are classified as a Class I Major Shower by the American Meteor Society, meaning that the shower’s rate of visible meteors show significant activity on a year-to-year basis. We expect to see about twenty meteors in an hour. This shower is predicted to peak on the evening of October 20, and its meteors will be most visible to us after Orion rises and our eyes are dark adjusted, radiating from a point in the eastern sky above the star Betelgeuse.

Come join us for a short orientation to the sky at 11:30pm and then a sublime wait for the chance meteor over the two hours following as Orion rises, reclined in our zero-gravity chairs, on Tuesday 11:30pm to Wednesday, October 21 from 1:30am.

This event is weather-dependent and will be cancelled by e-mail 24 hours before the scheduled start time in the event of cloud cover forecast greater than 20% overcast.

Dress appropriately for being still in the nighttime outdoor weather. Blankets and warm beverages are welcome.

Purchase tickets here or call 262-552-8196.

The Red Planet

by Chad Jocius | Oct 2, 2020 | Education, Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time

Friday (Oct. 9) 8:00pm – 10:00pm

Mars is becoming an amazing night-sky sight as it approaches opposition. Find out how to make the most of the Red Planet. A planet is in opposition when Earth lies directly between that planet and the Sun. Opposition is a big deal for Mars because it’s a long way from Earth for most of the time, looking dim to the naked eye and small when viewed through a telescope. But, as the distance between our worlds shrinks, Mars brightens considerably while expanding in size through the eyepiece of a scope becoming large enough for some surface details to be seen. Come out to Hawthorn Hollow Schoolyard Observatory and observe Mars through our 16-inch telescope and learn interesting and important facts about Mars, the other planets, stars, and the night sky.

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%.

Purchase tickets here or call 262-552-8196

Beneath the Cosmos October 2020

by William Parker | Oct 2, 2020 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating

Mondays (Oct. 5, 12) 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm; (Oct.19, 26) 7:30 pm – 9:30 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 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

International Observe the Moon Night 2020

by William Parker | Sep 23, 2020 | Adult and Family Programs, Observatory, Observatory Events

International Observe the Moon Night is a time to come together with fellow Moon enthusiasts and curious people worldwide. Everyone on Earth is invited to learn about lunar science and exploration, take part in celestial observations, and honor cultural and personal connections to the Moon.

International Observe the Moon Night occurs annually in September when the Moon is around first quarter ― a great phase for evening observing. Furthermore, a first-quarter Moon offers excellent viewing opportunities along the terminator (the line between night and day), where shadows enhance the Moon’s cratered landscape.

Come out to the Schoolyard Observatory and enjoy a view of the moon while learning interesting facts about our closest celestial partner. Reservations are in blocks to help manage social distancing, and we ask that you sign up for a selected one-hour time block and attend only during that preselected time. Support our Schoolyard Observatory programming with a suggested donation of $5 per individual.

Safety Precautions: During events, six-foot social distancing will be maintained, and wearing a facial mask will be required. The telescope eyepiece and ladder handles will be sanitized before and after each use. Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather, and insect repellent is highly recommended.

Observatory Open Houses

by TJ Leveque | Jan 17, 2020 | Observatory

An Evening with the Celestials

Come enjoy a night of star gazing and telescope viewing at Hawthorn Hollow’s Schoolyard Observatory.

Monthly Observatory Open Houses.

A variety of telescopes will be on hand with volunteers to guide you in seeing the night’s brightest objects. You are also welcome to bring your own binoculars or telescopes. Free Family/Adult event (weather permitting). Questions? Feel free to email: observatory@hawthornhollow.org

NOTE: All 2020 open houses are tentative due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check Observatory Events for updates.

Observatory Open House Dates 2020

All Saturdays / Times Vary

January 25th 6pm-10pm
February 29th 7pm-11pm
March 28th 8pm-12am
April 18th 8:30pm-12:30am
May 2nd 8:30pm-12:30pm (Spring Astronomy Day)
May 24th 9pm-1am
June 27th 11am-1pm (Daytime Open House)
July 25th 9pm-1am
August 22nd 9pm-1am
September 26th Noon-3pm (Solar Saturday)
October 24th 7pm-11pm
November 21th 6pm-10pm
December 12th 6pm-10pm (Geminid Open House)

(Weather cancellations made the night before on Twitter & in the Facebook event).

Other Programs

The observatory hosts daytime and nighttime field trips & classes, scout merit badge workshops as well as star parties. Please send inquiries or requests for events to:
observatory@hawthornhollow.org

The Observatory Telescope

The Charles and Kathryn Heide Schoolyard Observatory at Hawthorn Hollow features a Meade LX200 – ACF 16″ telescope on an Alt-Az mount in an automated dome as well as two mounts for smaller telescopes outside the dome.

It’s Maple Sugarin’ Time!

by TJ Leveque | Jan 8, 2020 | Maple Sugaring, Observatory

March is Maple

Sugarin’!

Now offering k-5 Field Trips and Adult/Family Classes.

Register now!

It’s Maple Sugarin’ Time at Hawthorn Hollow! Come join us as we tap the trees in our sugar bush during the month of March. Visitors will take a journey back in time and discover the magic of maple
sugaring.

The Sugar Maple and history of maple sugaring is an important part of Wisconsin’s heritage. Through hands on activities participants will experience through hands-on activities the arts and traditions of tapping a maple tree. The visit provides a history of Native American traditions and techniques for capturing, collecting and cooking of maple syrup.

This program is for families and adults. It is a 2 hour outdoor program. Dress for the weather! Wear warm coats, hats, mittens, and boots if there is snow on the ground.

Field trips

We offer morning and afternoon sessions, Tuesday through Friday. Class size is limited 10 – 30 students, accommodating up to 60 students per session. Field trips are offered Tuesdays – Fridays in March. This program is tailored for grades k-5. Fee is $6 per person.

Adult & Family Programs

Offered Saturdays the 14th and 21st in March, 10am to Noon. Children 3-11 are $6. 12 to Adult are $10 each. For groups of 10 or more, please call us for price discounts and scheduling.

Register

Please call us at 262-552-8196 or email theHollow@HawthornHollow.org. Payment must be received in advance.

Hawthorn Hollow

880 Green Bay Road
Kenosha, WI 53144

Contact Us

TheHollow@HawthornHollow.org
262-552-8196