Universe in the Park (UitP) is a popular outreach program of the Department of Astronomy at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in partnership with UW Space Place. UitP is predicated on a very simple idea: the best environment in which to introduce the general public to astronomy is outside under dark skies.
Since 1996, the UitP program has visited state parks throughout Wisconsin during the summer camping season, with experts giving talks and slide shows, answering questions, and letting the general public view astronomical objects through one of the UitP telescopes.
Badger Talks is honored to partner with Universe in the Park for program coordination, scheduling, and marketing.
UitP visits are scheduled based on requests and the availability of UitP volunteers to lead the sessions.
The statewide Universe in the Park program of the UW-Madison Astronomy Department is funded, in its entirety, by the generous support of Jere and Anne Fluno.
*When requesting a visit, please choose the “In-Person” request form and include “Universe in the Park” in the title.
A typical UitP session begins just after sunset with a 30-40 minute talk and slide show about astronomy. While particular topics are left up to the presenters, they usually give a broad overview of one or two astronomy topics. Recent astronomical news is frequently discussed, such as the discovery of new solar systems, the demotion of Pluto, and the latest results from the Hubble Space Telescope.
At the conclusion of the talk, weather permitting, we set up a moderate aperture (8″-10″) telescope and provide park visitors the opportunity to view available astronomical objects. UitP sessions run as long as there are people interested in looking through the telescope, and the parks typically close before the interest has been sated.
Though all are welcome, the talk is best suited for ages 8+, and telescope viewing for ages 4+.
- UitP is suited for parks that normally host evening programs, but any state park can schedule a UitP visit.
- The best viewing is from an open area with clear views of the southern sky.
- The best venue for the presentation is a covered shelter with power and a screen for the projector, though the astronomers can be very flexible in their presentations.
- UitP sessions can technically be scheduled on any day of the week, with some caveats:
- Historically, Friday and Saturday programs garner the highest attendance
- Mid-June to mid-August programs historically garner the highest attendance
- Though the talk is recommended to start at sunset, it can be scheduled later if you wish. In early summer, this is often 9 pm. Although this may be inconvenient for younger campers, it is necessary because it takes at least half an hour after sunset for the sky to get dark enough to set up the telescope.
- The UitP season may extend into the fall when the skies get darker earlier (and the mosquito population is somewhat reduced!)
- Parks in the northern part of the state are encouraged to coordinate UitP visits with each other so that astronomers can visit two or more parks in one trip.
- Free night sky map, updated monthly
- Astronomy Magazine
- Sky & Telescope magazine
- TheSkyLive
- Stellarium: free, open-source planetarium for your computer
Universe in the Park Events
- June
- June 21Universe in the Park: Zach Lewis and Jodie Kiyokawa for Blue Mound State ParkPresenters: Erin Motherway and Zach Lewis8:00 PM, 4350 Mounds Park Rd, Blue Mounds, WI 53517-9591, United States
- June 28Universe in the Park: Abby Waggoner for Mirror Lake State ParkPresenter: Abygail Waggoner8:30 PM, E10320 Fern Dell Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913
- June 28Universe in the Park: Max Kroft and Loren Robinson for Governor Dodge State ParkPresenters: Max Kroft and Loren Robinson9:00 PM, 4175 State Road 23, Dodgeville, WI 53533-8915, United States
- July
- July 6Universe in the Park: Erin Motherway and Eli Sofovich for Copper Falls State ParkPresenters: Erin Motherway and Eli Sofovich8:00 PM, 36764 Copper Falls Rd, Mellen, WI 54546
- July 7Universe in the Park: Erin Motherway and Eli Sofovich for Big Bay State ParkPresenters: Erin Motherway and Eli Sofovich 8:00 PM, 2402 Hagen Rd, La Pointe, WI 54850
- July 11Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for High Cliff State ParkPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:00 PM, N7630 State Park Rd, Sherwood, WI 54169
- July 12Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Kettle Moraine State ForestPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:00 PM, W329 N846, County Rd C, Delafield, WI 53018
- July 18Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Merrick State ParkPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:00 PM, S2965 WI-35, Fountain City, WI 54629
- July 18Universe in the Park: Talia O'Shea and Max Kroft for Interstate Park WisconsinPresenters: Talia O'Shea and Max Kroft8:45 PM, 1275 WI-35, St Croix Falls, WI 54024
- July 19Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Perrot State ParkPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:00 PM, 26247 Sullivan Rd, Trempealeau, WI 54661
- July 19Universe in the Park: Talia O'Shea and Max Kroft for Lake Wissota State ParkPresenters: Talia O'Shea and Max Kroft9:00 PM, 18127 Co Hwy O, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
- July 24Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Rock Island State ParkPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:30 PM, 1924 Indian Point Rd, Washington, WI 54246
- July 25Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Newport State ParkPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:30 PM, 475 County Rd NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
- July 26Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Peninsula State ParkPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:30 PM, 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212
- July 27Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Point Beach State ForestPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:30 PM, 9400 County Rd O, Two Rivers, WI 54241
- August
- August 1Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Governor Knowles State ForestPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:30 PM, Governor Knowles State Forest Park; 325 WI-70, Grantsburg, WI 54840
- August 2Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Brunet Island State ParkPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:30 PM, 23125 255th St, Cornell, WI 54732
- August 8Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Wyalusing State ParkPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:30 PM, 13081 State Park Ln, Bagley, WI 53801, United States
- August 9Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Nelson Dewey State ParkPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:30 PM, Nelson Dewey State Park; 12190 Co Hwy VV, Cassville, WI 53806
- August 11Universe in the Park: Eli Sofovich and Eshan Raul for Peninsula State ParkPresenters: Eli Sofovich and Eshan Raul8:30 PM, 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212
- August 12Universe in the Park: Eli Sofovich and Eshan Raul for Newport State Park Presenters: Eli Sofovich and Eshan Raul8:30 PM, 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
- August 14Universe in the Park: Estephani TorresVillanueva and Alejandra Lopez Holguin for Devil's Lake State ParkPresenters: Estephani TorresVillanueva and Alejandra Lopez Holguin8:00 PM, S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913
- August 15Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Roche-A-Cri State ParkPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:30 PM, 1767 WI-13 TrunkFriendship, WI 53934
- August 16Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern UnitPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:30 PM, S59 W36630, CTH ZZ, Dousman, WI 53118
- August 16Universe in the Park: Eshan Raul and Alejandra Lopez Holguin for Buckhorn State ParkPresenter: Eshan Raul9:00 PM, W8450 Buckhorn Park Ave, Necedah, WI 54646
- August 22Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Governor Thompson State ParkPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:30 PM, N10008 Paust Lane Crivitz, WI 54114
- August 23Universe in the Park: Jonathan Rebelsky for Northern Highland American Legion State ForestPresenter: Jonathan Rebelsky8:00 PM, 3237 Crystal Lake Rd, Boulder Junction, WI 54512-9511, United States
- August 30Universe in the Park: Max Kroft and Talia O'Shea for Kohler Andrae State ParkPresenters: Max Kroft and Talia O'Shea8:00 PM, 1020 Beach Park Ln, Sheboygan, WI 53081
Each program has its own Facebook event. Please see the Facebook events for more detailed descriptions, including park phone numbers and event location within the park!
Universe in the Park
Department of Astronomy
University of Wisconsin-Madison
475 N. Charter St.
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-3071
uitp@astro.wisc.edu