Frosty Drew Nature Center & Observatory Columns

Messier 104 – the “Sombrero Galaxy” in Virgo

Glenn Chaple — Wed, 1 May 2013 18:01:42 EDT

One of the more noteworthy examples of an edge-on spiral galaxy bisected by a dark dust lane is M104, the Sombrero Galaxy. The nick-name arises from the galaxy’s resemblance to the traditional Mexican headwear, the bright nuclear bulge forming the ha

Saturn Now Visible in May’s Early Evening Sky

David Huestis — Wed, 1 May 2013 18:24:39 EDT

If you have any rudimentary knowledge about astronomy and are like most people, anytime someone mentions the planet Saturn the first image that pops into your head is a planet with an extensive system of rings surrounding it. This sixth planet from the

Binary Star: Algieba (Gamma Leonis)

Scott MacNeill — Wed, 1 May 2013 18:28:24 EDT

Now that May is upon us, the familiar winter constellations are quickly setting to the west with all the great spring constellations quite visible overhead. Among the spring constellations is the well know constellation Leo (the Lion). This month we wi

Binary Star: Iota Cancer

Scott MacNeill — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:01:50 EDT

During this month of April, light traveling across the galaxy for 329 years shines at us from the top of the dim constellation Cancer. This light originates from the binary star, Iota Cancer. This fantastic binary star, though tough to see naked eye fr

April Lyrids Meteor Shower

David Huestis — Thu, 4 Apr 2013 16:47:15 EDT

For those of us who reside in the northern hemisphere, the spring season provides only one decent meteor shower to watch shooting stars streak across the sky. While not as productive as the August Perseids or the December Geminids, the annual Lyrids me

URI Planetarium - What more do you need?

Francine Jackson — Thu, 4 Apr 2013 21:17:51 EDT

Nestled quietly on the corner of Upper College Road and Engineering Row is a unique little building resembling a silo stepped on by the Jolly Green Giant. Many students who pass by this building have no idea they are looking at one of the most modern pla

Messier 101: Spiral Galaxy in Ursa Major

Glenn Chaple — Thu, 4 Apr 2013 16:37:59 EDT

One of the best examples of a star-hop is the one that takes us from Mizar (the middle star in the Handle of the Big Dipper) to the face-on spiral galaxy M101. It’s a fortuitous situation because, were it isolated, M101 might be one of the more diffi

40 Eridani - Triple Star in Eridanus

Glenn Chaple — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:26:42 EST

This month, we travel 16.5 light years to the remarkable triple star 40 Eridani (aka Keid and omicron2 Eridani). This system merits must-see status by virtue of the fact that one of its members is the most easily-seen white dwarf in the night sky. Trek

A Few February Favorites

David Huestis — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:33:04 EST

Perhaps you received a telescope during the holiday season and you've been anxious to see what kind of detail it can provide of various astronomical objects. While the winter months can be a difficult time of the year to observe from southern New Engla

NGC 7662 – Planetary Nebula in Andromeda, the “Blue Snowball”

Glenn Chaple — Sat, 5 Jan 2013 15:29:08 EST

What could be a more appropriate telescopic destination for a wintry night in January than the “Blue Snowball?” More formally known as NGC 7662, the Blue Snowball is a beautiful planetary nebula located in Andromeda. Discovered by William Herschel