‘Galileo Under Wisconsin Skies’ to celebrate astronomy at UW-Madison

“Galileo Under Wisconsin Skies,” a series of special events presented by the UW–Madison Department of Astronomy July 19-22, will commemorate the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s telescope, the International Year of Astronomy and the renovation of Washburn Observatory at UW–Madison.

“Galileo Under Wisconsin Skies” will offer illuminating UW–Madison faculty presentations on astronomy from Galileo through tomorrow, tours of Taliesin and the newly renovated Washburn Observatory, guided observation of the night skies in Spring Green and on Observatory Hill on campus and more.

Sites for the events will be the House on the Rock Resort, Taliesin and American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wis., as well as Washburn Observatory and other UW–Madison locations.

A special, free public event will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 20, at American Players Theatre (APT), Spring Green as part of the celebration. The event will include a staging by UW–Madison Department of Theatre and Drama performers of Rick Foster’s “A Starry Messenger,” a talk by UW–Madison history of science professor Michael Shank and a performance of early music, all followed by a star party atop the APT hill.

Cost for all of the other events is $395 per person, and the registration deadline is Monday, June 15. Visit this site for more information and a downloadable reply form.