Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory

When:

Friday February 10, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.

Cost:

$1 Suggested Donation per Person

Tonight is Stargazing Night at Frosty Drew Observatory and joining us will be a penumbral lunar eclipse, making tonight an easy target for bad weather. As such, forecasts are calling for mostly cloudy to cloudy skies in the evening with another bout of snow setting in between 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. With the rather unfriendly forecast for astro-geekage coupled with difficult parking and snowbound access, we would, no doubt, call a no-go on tonight’s geek out. But that slim chance of catching a view of the punumbral eclipse totally targets us for suckers. Rightfully so.

We plan to open the Observatory and Sky Theatre at 6:00 p.m. In the Observatory, telescopes will stay on standby as we hope for views of the penumbral eclipse. Venus is bright and may be visible through thinner clouds and will serve as a good fallback. The Sky Theatre, if accessible, will be open featuring warmer temps and a showcase of celestial objects photographed at Frosty Drew Observatory. We will stay open until clouds kick us out. We post updates to our Twitter (@FrostyDrewOBSY) and Facebook as the night progresses with a “Closing up” post when we decide to pack up. This will help you make an informed decision on whether to brave the wintry landscape.

Overall, tonight is totally not a night to be out for the casual observer. Conditions on site will be in full out extreme winter mode with blowing snow, difficult parking, snowbound access, and very cold temps. Add in the forecast for cloudy skies with snow setting in later tonight, and this is a night for those willing to hope with us for a view of the penumbral eclipse. We will be there, hoping and looking to the sky. Maybe we’ll catch a view of the eclipse. Regardless, even if you don’t make the trek out tonight, be sure to step outside this evening and see if you can spot the eclipse. Spite the cold and snow and make it a winter night out with a warm cup of toasty awesome and a penumbral lunar eclipse.

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Weekly Happenings
Scott MacNeill

Tomorrow morning (Saturday, February 11), Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusokova (45P) will make its closest approach to Earth for its current orbital cycle. Swinging by at a mere 7.4 million miles distant. This pass is the 8th closest comet pass of the space age, though not close enough to bring our demise, sorry doomsayers. The bright full Moon will make viewing the comet difficult, though not impossible. If you have clear skies, set out during the morning hours after 2:00. Comet 45P will be moving through the constellation Hercules, just north of the star, Beta Hercules. Binoculars will be required to catch a view of the comet, which is sporting a fabulous green glow, called a coma, and is the atmosphere that forms around the comet’s nucleus. Read up on Comet 45P. Clouds begone!.

Calling all space-geek artists! NASA invites you to create a piece of James Webb Space Telescope-inspired art. Slated for launch time in October 2018, the Webb Telescope will be the successor to the fantastic Hubble Space Telescope and will take us to the next level of observing the mysteries of the Universe. Check out the invite and check out how you can design a painting, sculpture, textile, tattoo, piece of jewelry, 3D print, or musical piece that is inspired by the Webb Telescope. Hey, maybe you will get your design featured at the Goddard Visitor Center later this year. Do it, stretch your creativity!

-Scott