Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory

When:

Friday May 29, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.

Cost:

$1 Suggested Donation per Person

Tonight's forecast is calling for variable conditions with increasing clouds just after sunset. We also have a threat of patchy fog. Since tonight is the start of our Summer Stargazing Nights, this is a rather week forecast for a kick off. The 85% waxing gibbous Moon will offer us some relief as it will be quite visible through thin clouds and clear patches. We also have our Sunspotting session tonight starting at 6:00 p.m. which will beat the clouds. With the forecast deteriorating as the day progresses, we will have to take it as it goes. Keeping up with us on Twitter (@FrostyDrewOBSY) or Facebook will get you updates from the Observatory. Check in before setting out tonight. We will also be open tomorrow night starting at sunset, and tomorrow's forecast is looking a bit more promising.

We will open the Observatory and Sky Theatre at 6:00 p.m. tonight with Sunspotting until sunset. During our Sunspotting session we will have a camera attached to a solar telescope and project live views of the solar photosphere onto screens inside the Observatory and Sky Theatre. Once the Sun sets we will switch over to the twilight sky and attempt a view of Venus, Jupiter, and the gibbous Moon. The Nature Center will be open with Frosty Drew Naturalists on hand to showcase the brighter side of Frosty Drew from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. If weather holds out we will direct the primary telescope towards Saturn after 9:00 p.m. and plan to stay open until 11:30 p.m. if the weather holds out.

Though the weather is looking rather variable and the Moon quite illuminated, we still have a window of opportunity to check out some excellent targets. Tonight is the first night of our Summer Stargazing Nights events that will run every Friday and Saturday night until August 29th. Why have only one night of an awesome thing, when we can have two! Follow along with our Summer Stargazing Nights scehdule. Then head over to Frosty Drew and properly kick off your summer under the stars.

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Weekly Happenings
Scott MacNeill

Remember that amazing European Space Agency (ESA) mission, Rosetta? You know, the one that landed on a comet! Well it is still hanging around Comet 67P doing amazing science and collecting images of changes to the comet as it makes it way into perihelion (its closest point to the Sun). Well back in late 2014, Rosetta made a series of extremely close passes around Comet 67P and snapped some amazing images while doing so. This week, the ESA Rosetta team released some of those photos. Check it out, this is a shot of Comet 67P from an altitude of 6.2 miles. The image covers an area of 0.48 miles across. Perihelion will happen August 13, 2015 after which the lost Philae lander may acquire enough sunlight to restart its mission. Follow along with all the amazing science at the ESA Rosetta mission page.

Another mission that just keeps rocking the science scene is the NASA Dawn mission, which is currently orbiting dwarf planet Ceres. Acquiring orbit around Ceres in early March, Dawn has completed its first science orbit and is currently descending to its next orbital phase. During the descent to its new orbit, Dawn snapped this amazing photo of the mysterious white spot that continues to puzzle us on planet Earth. New images are closing the gap on what the white spots could be, and its looking like it may be ice. Over the summer season, Dawn will continue sending home amazing images and information about Ceres. Keep up with the discoveries at the NASA Dawn mission page

Save the Date: June 12 – 13, 2015: The Meridian Project is returning to Frosty Drew Observatory with their new performance “Sun and Moon”. The Meridian Project is a collaboration of musicians, artists, and scientists that communicate science as art through their performances. If you haven't seen the Meridian Project, set aside either Friday June 12 or Saturday June 13 on your calendar for a night of amazement. Check out the Meridian Project.

-Scott