Universe In The Park: In-Person Badger Talk

Join presenter Jodie Kiyokawa on July 25, 2026, at 9:00 PM at Roche-A-Cri State Park for a Universe in the Park program in Friendship, WI. With questions, please contact the park's office at 608-339-688.

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+.

Jodie Kiyokawa is a graduate student working with Catherine Grier to study supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. Originally from Hawai’i, she studied astrophysics at UCLA before joining the astronomy PhD program at UW-Madison. Jodie is an observational astronomer who uses both ground- and space-based telescopes to explore the extreme environments in the innermost regions surrounding supermassive black holes. Outside of research, she enjoys participating in science outreach and mentoring the next generation of scientists.