Once again, although the Sun is shining as this is being written, whether we will be able to observe with the 16-inch telescope tonight is very uncertain, due to the possibilities of rain for tomorrow. But, regardless of the observing, we will once again have for you a talk on the upcoming transit of Venus at 7:00 P.M. We have been making a lot of it recently, in preparation for its occurrence next Tuesday, June 5th, but why should we all take time out to see this unique astronomical event? It actually was how astronomers tried to learn the distance from the Earth to the Sun, the yardstick of the solar system. Come learn some of the problems, and successes, that some famous names in history had in trying to determine this elusive measurement.

And, then, Tuesday, June 5th, the actual day of the transit, we will be set up around the Frosty Drew Observatory & Nature Center grounds. From 4:00 to 9:00 P.M., safe observing techniques will allow you see this transit without any fear of eye damage. Because this involves the planet crossing the face of the Sun, observing it can potentially cause problems with your future seeing, and we don’t want that to happen. In addition to having the transit observation for you, there will be snacks available nearby. Come down and see this event, which won’t happen again until the 22nd century.

Please remember to send a note to our Town Council members to ask them to approve the Charlestown lighting ordinance, to keep the Town in its beautiful rural state. Frosty Drew Observatory is situated here because of the sky conditions brought about because of the nature of the Town. Please help us be able to keep our educational mission alive.

-Francine Jackson

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With all weather forecasts calling for partly cloudy skies becoming rain overnight, the observatory will likely stay closed. We can attempt an early observation of the 89% waxing gibbous Moon if there are enough breaks in the clouds around 8:30 so it may be worth a trip out for a possible view of the Moon. Enthusiasts, stay home.

We are now in our final stretch ramping up to the last transit of Venus we will ever see in our lifetime. Tonight, Observatory Directory Francine Jackson will present the history of the transit of Venus and the scientific advances we have made using this fantastic event. Keep checking our website (http://frostydrew.org) over the next few days for information about the transit of Venus including safe viewing techniques. Then on Tuesday evening we will re-broadcast live views of the transit of venus taking place from the best places to view on Earth. If the skies stay clear on Tuesday we will also be posting our video of the transit on our website for all to see. Let's hope for clear skies on Tuesday.

-Scott MacNeill