SUNSET: 
Upcoming Astronomy Events
As a service to our community, Sky & Telescope lists astronomy-related events, including star parties, observatory public nights, astronomy talks, and more. Star parties offer dark skies and astronomical fellowship and often cater to families and feature special activities for kids. Public nights give the general public a chance to view the sky through large telescopes, and public talks are a great place to learn the fundamentals of the science and the craft.
You’ll also see online events offered here.
And if you’d like free copies of Sky & Telescope‘s Let’s Go Stargazing flyer or door prizes for your next star party, you can fill out this form.
Wisconsin Observer's Weekend
June 6 @ 3:00 pm - June 9 @ 3:00 pm EDT
One of the biggest highlights of the year for upper mid-west amateur astronomers and their families is the Wisconsin Observers Weekend (WOW), hosted by the Northeast Wisconsin Stargazers. Amateur astronomers from all over the mid-west enjoy three days of summer camping and observing at Hartman Creek State Park just west of Waupaca Wisconsin. Whether or not you own a telescope or are a seasoned observer you will enjoy what WOW has to offer.
Hartman Creek State Park has 1,500 acres of post-glacial beauty located about 30 miles northwest of Oshkosh on the upper Waupaca Chain-O-Lakes. Visitors can enjoy camping, swimming, hiking, biking, picnicking, and fishing amidst the gently rolling woodlands, prairies, lakes and wetlands. Ten miles of hiking trails, including a segment of the National Scenic Ice Age Trail, offer plenty of opportunity to stretch your legs while enjoying numerous wildflowers and abundant bird life. The park also has designated off-road bicycling trails and low-traffic roads surrounding the area provide safe routes for the touring cyclist as well. Hartman Lake has a 300-foot sandy beach and swimming area for a cool dip after a hot day.
WOW reserves all five-group campsites at Hartman Creek State Park so that your evening observing environment is white light free and as dark as possible for your enjoyment. This is primitive camping – pit toilets and hand water pump only – but hot showers andw washrooms are available in the family campground a short distance down the road. Tent camping sites are plentiful in the group sites, however there is no parking on the grassy areas, so recreational vehicles or campers may find space tight in the limited parking areas.
Saturday afternoon NEWSTAR hosts an ice cream social for WOW attendees free of charge. Drawing for door prizes will be held at the same time.
Just down the road, the town of Waupaca has all the conveniences and amenities you might need, and hotels are nearby if you do not wish to camp. Although it’s only approximately 5 miles away, light pollution from Waupaca has very little impact on Hartman Creek State Park.
NEWSTAR registration fee includes your WOW registration and 3-night camping fee. Vehicle stickers are required and may be obtained at the Ranger Station upon arrival. Registration is limited to 125 individuals.
Advance registration is now open for Wisconsin Observer's Weekend. You may download the registration form from the NEWSTAR website https://www.new-star.org/.
