Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory

When:

Friday May 22, 2015 at 8:30 p.m.

Cost:

$1 Suggested Donation per Person

Tonight's forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies around sunset with skies quickly becoming clear before 10:00 p.m. The 27% waxing crescent Moon will sit in the Western sky offering us spectacular views of the thin crescent and earth-shine until it sets at 11:51 p.m. After which, the stunning starscape over Frosty Drew will be visible to all. Though there is a threat of wind gusts up to 21 mph, tonight could be a night to remember at Frosty Drew.

We plan to open the Observatory and Sky Theatre at 8:30 p.m. In the Observatory, telescopes will begin with Venus, which is visible at sunset. After taking in the near third quarter phase of Venus, we will direct our view towards Jupiter with all four Galilean Moons in view. The Art Guarino telescope will be setup in the observatory court yard showcasing views of the beautiful crescent Moon. Saturn, which is one day from opposition, will be on display after 10:00 p.m. showing off its astonishing rings. As the night continues, we will showcase an impressive list of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. The Sky Theatre will be open with either a live projection from a telescope or a slide show of astrophotos taken at Frosty Drew Observatory. If skies stay clear, we will stay on site late. Check in with us on Twitter (@FrostyDrewOBSY) or Facebook before setting out late. We will post a “Closing up” status when we decide to begin shut down operations.

Tonight is the night to make the drive! With clearing skies in the forecast, a thin crescent Moon setting early, and the fabulous Milky Way becoming strikingly visible just after midnight; we are in for an excellent night under the stars. What better way to start your Memorial Day weekend festivities than with an unforgettable night under the breathtaking Charlestown, Rhode Island starscape. Grab your telescope and binoculars, or just your family and friends, then set out to Frosty Drew and become acquainted with the wonders of cosmos.

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Weekly Happenings
Scott MacNeill

Tomorrow, Saturday May 23rd, Saturn will reach opposition, marking its closest point to Earth for our year. Opposition happens when an outer planet, in relation to Earth's position in the Solar System, comes to the point in its orbit where it's on the opposite side of Earth than the Sun. Since Saturn has a 30 Earth year orbit around the Sun, we see opposition happen once every year. The months surrounding opposition are the best times to view a planet because the planet will be at its closest point to us for the year and will be visible for the entire night. In the case of Saturn, opposition brings a few bonuses. Saturn has a 26.7º axial tilt which is made visible by its rings, which sit over Saturn’s equator. Since it takes 29.44 Earth years for Saturn to complete one orbit around the Sun, we see the rings at a different tilt every year. Every 14 years we see Saturn's rings tilted 26.7º towards or away from the Sun (and consequently Earth). This allows for stunning views of the fabulous rings around Saturn. May 2017 will bring Saturn's Summer Solstice and the maximum tilt of Saturn's rings from our vantage point. This sets us up for some excellent viewing of Saturn! Be sure to get out there over the next month and the summer to be blown away by the view of Saturn and its rings.

Starting next weekend, May 29-30, Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theatre will begin its Summer Stargazing Nights which will run until the last weekend of August. The Summer Stargazing Nights event will bring Saturday nights as well as Friday nights to our weekly stargazing schedule. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. we will observe sunspots on the solar photosphere every Friday until sunset. After which, we will direct our telescopes to the night sky showcasing Saturn, Venus, and all the awesome objects visible in the Milky Way. Saturday nights will start at sunset with views of Venus and Saturn and will continue until 11:00 p.m. showcasing the night sky. This summer is your chance to let out your inner geek and marvel in all the fabulous wonders of the galaxy we reside in. Make Frosty Drew Observatory a weekly getaway for you, your family, and your friends. Get to know our Sky Evangelists and learn about the great place we live. Visit the Frosty Drew Events Calendar for details on our summer schedule. Woot!

-Scott