Sky conditions don’t really look very good this evening, so it appears the observatory will be closed for viewing; however, members of the Clark Library will be coming to the Sky Theatre, across the street from the observatory, for a talk on the upcoming landing of the Mars Science Laboratory, nicknamed Curiosity, the largest lander ever to set down on another world, at 7:30 P.M., and you’re invited to come to learn a little bit about this incredible machine, including the outrageous way it will land on Mars. Admission is free, but donations will be appreciated.

When the sky does clear, remember, we still have two planets in our evening sky, and two present in the morning. Mars and Saturn are in the southwest, with Mars each evening moving to the left, or east, so by the end of the month it will only be about a handwidth away from our favorite ringed planet. In the morning, we still have brilliant Venus and bright Jupiter. The Moon became new yesterday, so it will start to show up in the early evening as a very tiny waxing crescent this weekend. When you are able to see it, try to make out the “dark” side of the near side of the Moon, the phenomenon called Earthshine, the reflected light from the Sun that has left the Earth and is setting down upon the dark part of the Moon. Watch to see during the coming week when the Moon’s phase is too large to be able to show you this Earthshine.

Mark your calendars for Frosty Drew’s major fund-raising programs next Saturday, July 28th. Sea Star Market Place (http://frostydrew.org/events.dc/show/event-33/) is sure to have gifts of every kind for all your shopping needs. There will also be activities for kids, and a special guest, Harvard astronomer Dr. Giovanni Fazio, who will introduce the wonders of astronomy for audiences of all ages. Admission is free, so come down and be a part of our special day.

Frosty Drew is grateful to all who believe in the beauty of the night sky by passing and following the town’s dark sky ordinance. As the mission of Frosty Drew Observatory is sky education, we appreciate having the best skies in the state in which to continue introducing everyone to our fantastic overhead natural resource.

-Francine Jackson

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tonight's forecast is calling for clouds with periods of rain. This will certainly keep the observatory closed tonight. Likewise, be sure to visit the Sky Theatre at 7:30 for a discussion led by Francine Jackson about Curiosity, the new Mars Science Laboratory that is en-route to our red neighboring planet.

If skies are clear tomorrow night (Saturday) be sure to check in with Seagrave Memorial Observatory (http://www.theskyscrapers.org/) in N. Scituate. They have free public observation every clear Saturday night starting at 9:00 during the summer months.

Next Sunday morning (July 29) from 1:00 am - pre-dawn, grab a reclining lawn chair or blanket and sit out under the skies at a clear dark location to catch a glimpse of the S. Delta Aquarid meteor shower. This meteor shower can produce up to 20 meteors per hour. The 85% waxing gibbous Moon will set just before 1:00 a.m. so the skies should be great for observing shooting stars. If observing be sure to notice Jupiter and Venus rising in the early morning hours. Take a peak at Jupiter with binoculars or a telescope to observe it's four Galilean Moons.

-Scott MacNeill