Look Up!
The Charles and Kathryn Heide 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
Wednesday Under the Stars
October 1 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmSmall Eyes Under the Skies
October 3 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pmWednesday Under the Stars
October 8 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmThrough the Lens
October 9 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmSmall Eyes Under the Skies
October 10 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Wednesdays Under the Stars October 2025
Wednesdays, (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Enjoy a relaxing Wednesday Under the Stars hosted at the Heide Observatory. Sink into a zero-gravity chair with your favorite beverage in hand, and prepare for an unforgettable journey through the night sky. Our expert guides will illuminate celestial wonders using a laser pointer, revealing stars, planets, constellations, galaxies, and other captivating objects of interest. Immerse yourself in the enthralling stories of these objects as we unravel their relationships and delve into their deeper significance. Gaze and savor the enchantment of the cosmos in this unique and relaxing evening under the stars.
Within 24 hours of purchase, you will receive an email confirming your reservation. If your email address differs from the one used to purchase tickets, or you have any additional questions, please email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
These events are weather-dependent and will be rescheduled if the cloud cover forecast is greater than 40% or too few tickets are sold to fund the event staffing.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
Through the Lens October 2025
Thursdays, (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Experience the awe-inspiring “Through the Lens” event at The Heide Observatory, where celestial wonders come to life. Peer into the depths of the universe using our powerful 17-inch telescope, taking turns to observe binary stars, elusive planets, ethereal galaxies, and an array of captivating celestial objects. As you await your individual view inside the observatory dome, join our knowledgeable guides outside under the stars for a guided sky tour. Gain a broader perspective and deepen your appreciation of the universe as you absorb the enchanting panorama of the night sky, connecting the dots between what you witness through the lens and the grand tapestry of the cosmos.
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%, or too few tickets are sold to fund the event staffing.
If you have not heard from us prior to the event please check your spam folder in email.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
Small Eyes Under the Skies October 2025
Fridays, (6:30pm – 8:00 pm)
Join us for a captivating astronomical adventure at The Heide Observatory with our “Small Eyes Under the Skies” event, perfect for the whole family. Explore the wonders of our solar system as we embark on an interactive journey across the meadow, investigating the sizes and distances of our nearest celestial neighbors. Following this engaging experience, prepare for an unforgettable telescope adventure where you’ll witness the beauty of planets and other extraordinary celestial objects up close. With limited space available, be sure to secure your tickets early to guarantee a spot for this stellar exploration.
In the event of cloud cover of more than 40% or too few tickets are sold to fund staffing for the event, we will reschedule. Look for a confirmation email at least 24 hours prior to the event date.
If you have not heard from us prior to the event please check your spam folder in email.
Please remember to dress appropriately for an outdoor trek through the solar system (the field).
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
The Moon and Gas Giants
Friday, November 21 (8:00 pm – 10:00 pm)
Come out to the Heide Observatory to observe the Moon in the evening sky as it guides you to Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune, and Uranus—the gas and ice giants of our solar system. Given clear skies, these bright worlds are easy to spot in our telescopes, and the Moon (the night’s second-brightest object) makes star-hopping simple.
This event may need to be rescheduled if the cloud cover outlook is over 40%—watch for a confirmation email.
Dress for nighttime outdoor weather.
Questions? Observatory@hawthornhollow.org
The Ice and Gas Giants
Friday, November 7 (9:00 pm – 11:00 pm)
Come out to the Heide Observatory for an evening focused on the planets under darker skies—no Moon this time, which means better contrast for distant worlds. Weather permitting, we’ll feature the gas and ice giants through our telescopes: Saturn and its rings, Jupiter with its cloud belts and Galilean moons, plus Uranus and Neptune.
Given clear skies, these targets will be positioned well for evening viewing. We’ll confirm the exact lineup in the event-day email based on visibility.
This event may need to be rescheduled if the cloud cover outlook is over 40%—please watch for a confirmation email from the observatory.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Questions about this event or others? Observatory@hawthornhollow.org
Questions about this event or others please contact us at observatory@hawthornhollow.org
Astronomy of Native America 2025
Tuesday (November 25) 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what someone standing in the same spot in the past saw and thought when they looked up?
500 years ago contact between Europeans and Indigenous Americans of the time changed the world, resulting in the collapse of Aztec and Inca empires and triggering a hemispheric pandemic that may have caused the Little Ice Age which ensued. Prior to this contact, indigenous American conceptions of the sky had no input from the astronomical ideas circulating in the rest of the world.
On Tuesday, November 25, in a series of short, five-to-fifteen-minute presentations by UW-Parkside students currently enrolled in the Astronomy of Native America course, we will explore the range of astronomical understanding and beliefs among indigenous groups of the Americas from the Inuit peoples of the Arctic to the Maya, the most astronomical advanced civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.
Presentations begin at 7:00 pm and proceed until completion, estimated around 9:30 pm. Questions are welcome at the end of each presentation. Weather-permitting, the presentations will be given outside the Heide Observatory dome (directions here), and the observatory will be open afterward for a brief tour and night-time sky viewing. In the event of rain, the presentations will be held inside the Hawthorn Hollow Nature Center.
Have questions? Please contact us at Observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
For reservations click here
Visit
880 Green Bay Road
Kenosha, WI 53140
Admisson is Free
Trail Donation Suggested
Hours
OPEN:
March 1 – Oct. 31
8:00 – 5:00
Nov. 1 – Dec. 23
8:00 – 4:00
Closed Mondays &
Closed for the Season
December 24 – March 1st
Donate Here
Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) that relies on the generosity of donors.