by William Parker | Apr 30, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Friday (May 14) 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
When you gaze up at the night sky, through the veil of stars and the plane of the Milky Way close by, you can’t help but feel small before the grand abyss of the Universe that lies beyond. Even though nearly all of them are invisible to our eyes, our observable Universe, extending tens of billions of light-years in all directions, contains a fantastically large number of galaxies within it.
The Andromeda Galaxy is the most distant object readily visible to the naked eye. It is 2.5 million light-years away. The light from it that we see right now is 2.5 million years old. We are therefore seeing the Andromeda Galaxy as it was at a time long before modern humans existed!
Come out to The Schoolyard Observatory and we will take you on a tour of visible galaxies going back in time millions of years.
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.
Each 2-hour session will be confirmed by email at least 24 hours before scheduled according to the cloud cover forecast (< 30%). Tickets are good for any evening observatory event and can reschedule based on weather to fit individual schedules.
Have questions? Please contact us at Observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
Purchase tickets here or call 262-552-8196.
by William Parker | Apr 30, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Fridays (May 7) 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm & (May 14, 21, 28) 8:00 – 9:30 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 to 10 total individuals so reserve your tickets early.
Contact observatory@hawthornhollow.org for group/family rate discounts.
Please remember to bundle up as it is very cold in space! Snow boots and extra layers are highly recommended.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
by William Parker | Apr 30, 2021 | Education, Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Wednesdays (May 5, 12, 19) & Thursday (May 27) 9:00 pm – 11:00 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 each two-hour session will be cancelled by e-mail 24 hours before scheduled if the cloud cover forecast is greater than 30%.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
by William Parker | Apr 30, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Tuesdays (May 4, 11, 18, 25) 9:00pm – 11:00pm
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 each two-hour session will be cancelled by e-mail 24 hours before scheduled if the cloud cover forecast is greater than 30%.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
by William Parker | Apr 30, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Mondays (May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31) 9:00 pm – 11:00 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 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 email observatory@hawthornhollow.org
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 | Apr 9, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Friday (Apr. 16) 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Orion, which is located on the celestial equator, is one of the most prominent and recognizable constellations in the sky and can be seen throughout the world. Come on an adventure through the Orion constellation at the Schoolyard Observatory. We will explore the unique stars that make up the Orion constellation and discover other wonders within as we take turns observing through our 16-inch telescope.
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.
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 9, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Friday (Apr. 23) 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Lyrids appear in Chinese writing dating back to roughly 690 BCE, making them one of the earliest meteor showers on record. On the night of April 21, the annual shower will make its appearance for 2021. The meteor shower is a result of Earth passing through the tail of the comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. When our planet moves through this debris field, the space rocks burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, causing spectacular lights to streak across the night sky.
The Lyrids are one of the weaker annual meteor showers visible from Earth. On peak nights, they usually produce no more than 20 shooting stars per hour. The event is also unpredictable: On rare occasions, spectators are treated to incredible surges of up to 100 meteors per hour. For this reason, the Lyrids are worth checking out for diehard astronomy enthusiasts.
Come out to the Schoolyard Observatory and enjoy a relaxing evening in our anti-gravity chairs as we point out the night-sky objects and watch for meteors.
Tickets are limited so reserve soon.
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%. Reservations can be transferred for any other nightly event.
Dress appropriately for being still in nighttime outdoor weather.
Questions? Feel free to contact us at observatory@hawthornhollow.org
Purchase tickets here, or call 262-552-8196.
by William Parker | Apr 9, 2021 | Education, Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Wednesdays (Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28) 8:00 pm – 10:00 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 each two-hour session will be cancelled by e-mail 24 hours before scheduled if the cloud cover forecast is greater than 30%.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
