Look Up!
The Charles and Kathryn Heide Schoolyard Observatory at Hawthorn Hollow features a PlaneWave CDK17 telescope on an L-Series 500 mount in an automated dome as well as two mounts for smaller telescopes outside the dome. The observatory, located on the meadow at the center of the arboretum at Hawthorn Hollow, hosts daytime and nighttime field trips & classes, scout merit badge workshops as well as star parties and astrophotography projects. Please send inquiries or requests for events to:
observatory@hawthornhollow.org
Upcoming Events
March Equinox 2023 Party
April 1 @ 6:00 pm - April 7 @ 9:00 pmBeneath the Cosmos
April 2 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pmWine Wednesday Under the Stars
April 5 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pmThrough the Lens
April 6 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pmSmall Eyes Under the Skies
April 8 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Naked-Eye Astronomy Certification April 2023
Tuesdays April 4, 11, 18, 25 (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Would you like to learn or get good at your knowledge of the night sky? This four-night certification series is for you! You will learn the layout of the celestial sphere, the ten brightest stars, the important visible star patterns, Moon rise and set patterns with phases, the major visible constellations, and the brightness scale for observation. This event series will combine explicit learning with night sky simulation together with direct observation of the night sky. At the end of this series, you will be tested on your knowledge and receive a certificate vouching for your level of achievement.
To register, please purchase tickets here.
Feel free to email us with with questions at Observatory@hawthornhollow.org
Beneath the Cosmos April 2023
Mondays, April 2, 9 (8:00 pm – 10:00 pm), April 16, 23 (8:30 pm – 10:30 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.
Dress appropriately for being still in nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org
Wine Wednesdays Under the Stars April 2023
Wednesdays, April 5, 12 (8:00 pm – 10:00 pm); April 19, 26 (8:30 pm – 10:30 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.
Through the Lens April 2023
Thursdays, April 6, 13 (8:00 pm – 10:00 pm); April 21, 28 (8:30 pm – 10:30 pm)
Take turns looking through our 17-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.
Small Eyes Under the Skies April 2023
Fridays, April 8, 15 (7:30 pm – 9:00 pm); April 22, 29 (8:00 pm – 9:30 pm)
Bring the family out to the Heide 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.
March Equinox 2023 Party
Saturday, April 1 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hawthorn Hollow and the Heide Observatory invite you to celebrate the 2023 passing of the Sun into the northern celestial hemisphere and the first equal length day and night for this year.
Join us at the Heide Observatory on the night of Saturday, April 1, starting at 6:00 pm for a March equinox party and simultaneously come experience the currently largest public-serving telescope in southeastern Wisconsin.
Your ticket will include: a walk to the restored prairie to view the sunset and look at the planets currently in the west through telescope and binoculars, a guided tour through the meadow solar system model, and views of the sky through our largest telescope along with a night-time sky tour of other celestial objects. Beverages and snacks will be included and the excess proceeds for the event will benefit the ongoing mission of the observatory.
In the event of cloud cancellation, a backup date is scheduled for Saturday, April 15.
Please contact us by e-mail for more information or discounted group rates.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org
Orion the Hunter April 2023
Friday (April 7) 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
While the Orion constellation is named after the hunter in Greek mythology, it is anything but stealthy.
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 Heide 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 17-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.
Reserve tickets here!
Have questions? Please contact us at Observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
The Lyrid Meteor Shower April 2023
Saturday (Apr. 22) 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 22, the annual shower will reach its peak for 2023. 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 Heide Observatory and enjoy a relaxing evening in our anti-gravity chairs as we point out the night-sky objects and watch for meteors.
Tickets and chairs are limited so reserve soon.
This event is weather-dependent and will be canceled or rescheduled 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 observatory 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.