Calling all FAMILIES! STARGAZERS! NIGHT SKY AFICIONADOS! Come out to see the stars at Kinstone! Here is an outdoor experience offering connection with nature while gazing out into our cosmic neighborhood!

Join us for an informal, and relatively independent night sky viewing at Kinstone! Bring your own binoculars, your own telescope, and your own star finding guides, etc. We will spread out across the land and spend a couple of hours with our eyes to the sky. Think about downloading an app to your phone in advance of this event such as Google Sky Map or something similar that shows you what’s in the sky. We expect one or more amateur astronomers to join us from the La Crosse Area Astronomical Society (LCAAS) who will help guide us to identify and find various celestial wonders to view independently, together. They may bring larger scopes which can be safely (all precautions will be taken) shared by many to view certain objects – especially the moon, Saturn and Jupiter! Exciting!

Astronomical Info For This Night

• Sunset is at 7:58pm
• Moonset is at 10:17pm, a waxing crescent moon!
• Jupiter and Saturn will be bright and visible
• Neptune rises at 8:40pm – but it is difficult to see

Note: if viewing is good, we may stay late to see Mars rise at 10:14pm and Uranus rise at 10:30pm. We’ll play that by ear (or eye as the case may be!).

COST:  $5/person at the door, cash only (Kids 12 and under are free)

Bring your own chair or blanket to sit or lie on for your comfort. Wear comfortable clothing and dress for the weather! Bring your own insect repellent if needed. Bring a flashlight – preferably one with a red or green light that is more conducive to stargazing activities. Park in designated parking areas – the preferred area is the grassy Riverview Parking Area near our main Education Building. Proceed to the area in front of the Porch on the Education Building.

The event will be cancelled in case of overcast or rainy weather. Cancellation notices will be posted here on this page as well as on the corresponding Facebook event page at least 1 hour before the scheduled start of the event. 

NOTE:  We will host two more events like this! One will be on September 19 and another on October 17! Join us!