An Evening with the Stars

Join the Friends of the Arboretum on Jan. 13, 2027 from 6:15 pm to 9:00 pm for an exclusive stellar evening (weather permitting) at the Washburn Observatory on the UW campus at 1401 Observatory Drive.

The observatory was built in 1878 and has been the site of several major discoveries.

Jim Lattis, UW-Madison Professor Emeritus with the UW-Madison Astronomy Department and author of Chasing the Stars, Wisconsin Historical Society Press, will discuss the history of the instruments and research at the Observatory. We will then have the opportunity to view the night sky with Jim through the Observatory telescope.

To preserve the original character of Washburn, viewing the sky through the telescope requires climbing a few steps, and it is not wheelchair accessible. The telescope room itself is flat and has seating available. 

Details:

• Limited to 25 persons,
• Attendees will use their own transportation to reach the Washburn Observatory.
• Parking is available on Observatory Drive, in Parking Lot 34 just off Tripp Circle nearer the lake, or Lot 36 (Steenbock). View campus parking map.
• The Observatory is also a short 10-minute walk from public transit.
• We’ll meet at the Observatory entrance at 6:15 pm. When you arrive at the observatory, please enter at the south door (faces away from the lake) and go directly up the stairs to your right.  Then proceed through the door in front of you into the dome.
• The dome is open to the outside air, so dress appropriately. 
• Food and drinks, as well as flash photography, are not allowed. 

The registration fee is $40. In case of cloud cover and poor viewing conditions on the 13th, we will have a “rain date” of Jan. 14 at 6:15 pm. Due to the reliance on clear skies, please make sure you are available for both the primary date and rain date! If we are unable to hold the trip on either day, only then we will refund the trip registration fees. When you register, online or in person, be sure to include your phone number and your email should we need to provide further information.  A PDF registration form is available here.

Registration closes on January 6.

FOA trips are an important part of fundraising efforts by FOA to support the Arboretum.  We strive to make these trips interesting and accessible to all attendees.  To ensure that we have adequate time to find replacement attendees and ensure that FOA costs are covered, FOA trips have the following cancellation policy (unless otherwise noted):

• • • Transferring your registration to a new attendee is always allowed. Contact Sue Chapman at npscoordinator@foamadison.org or call the FOA office at 608-890-2555 to request a ticket transfer.
    • Cancelling without requesting a refund is an option.  Your registration fee will be used to offset trip costs and to support the Arboretum.
    • Cancel 30 or more days before departure for a full refund of your registration fee.
    • Cancel 29 days or fewer before departure and the registration fee is non-refundable.