Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary & Arboretum

Small Eyes Under the Skies
2026-02-27 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-02-20 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-02-13 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-02-06 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-01-30 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-01-23 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-01-16 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-01-09 16:30 - 18:00 (Asia/Karachi) and 1 more date | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Join us for Small Eyes Under the Skies at The Heide Observatory, a family-friendly astronomy adventure that begins with an interactive walk through a scale model of our solar system across the meadow and concludes with a telescope viewing of planets and other celestial wonders. Events are weather permitting and will be rescheduled if cloud cover exceeds 40%; look for a confirmation email at least 24 hours before the event. For group or family rate discounts, contact observatory@hawthornhollow.org, and please dress appropriately for an outdoor trek through the “solar system” field.

Through the Lens
2026-02-26 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-19 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-12 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-05 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-29 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-22 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-08 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-18 17:30 - 19:30
Experience the awe-inspiring Through the Lens event at The Heide Observatory, where celestial wonders come to life as you peer through our powerful 17-inch telescope to observe binary stars, distant planets, and shimmering galaxies. While awaiting your turn inside the dome, join our knowledgeable guides outdoors for a laser-assisted sky tour, connecting what you see through the lens with the vast panorama of the night sky. Events are weather-dependent and will be rescheduled by email 24 hours in advance if cloud cover exceeds 40%, and guests are encouraged to dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.

Wednesday Under the Stars
2026-02-25 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-18 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-11 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-04 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-28 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-21 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-14 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-07 17:30 - 19:30 and 1 more date
Enjoy a relaxing evening at Wednesday Under the Stars, hosted at the picturesque Heide Observatory. Settle into a zero-gravity chair with your favorite beverage and embark on an unforgettable journey through the night sky as our expert guides use laser pointers to highlight stars, planets, constellations, and galaxies above. Listen to the captivating stories behind these celestial wonders while you unwind beneath the vast, glittering cosmos. Events are weather-dependent and will be rescheduled by email 24 hours in advance if cloud cover exceeds 40%, and guests are encouraged to dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.

Orion the Hunter
2026-02-13 18:00 - 20:00
While Orion is named for the hunter of Greek mythology, it is anything but hidden. Straddling the celestial equator, Orion is one of the most recognizable and striking constellations in the night sky, visible from nearly everywhere on Earth. Join us at the Heide Observatory for a guided journey through the Orion constellation, where we will bring to light its brightest stars, explore the famous three stars of Orion’s Belt, and uncover the stellar and nebular treasures that define this iconic region of the sky—including glowing nebulae where new stars are being born. Guests will take turns observing through our 17-inch telescope inside the observatory dome, focusing on Orion’s most fascinating objects. Between telescope views, step outside for a guided naked-eye sky tour to see how these individual sights fit together across the full constellation. Blending astronomy and mythology, this program connects ancient stories with modern science, revealing why Orion has captured human imagination for thousands of years.

Meteor Mingle: Quadrantids
2026-01-03 01:00 - 03:00
Start the new year under the stars with Meteor Mingle: Quadrantids, one of the most active meteor showers of the year. While brief, the Quadrantids are known for intense bursts of activity, producing fast meteors and occasional bright fireballs during a narrow peak window. This early-morning observing session offers a quiet, immersive way to experience the night sky while learning about meteors, fireballs, and why this shower is so short-lived yet spectacular.

Gemini Meteor Mash II (Cancelled due to weather)
2025-12-13 20:15 - 22:15

Gemini Meteor Mash I (Cancelled due to weather)
2025-12-13 18:00 - 20:00
