Stargazing Nights

Stargazing Nights

Where:
Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center
When:
Fri, Feb 18, 2022 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Cost:
$5 Suggested Donation per person 5 years and older

Welcome to the Frosty Drew Observatory Stargazing Nights! Every Friday night (weather permitting) we open our Observatory, Science Center, Sky Theatre, and telescopes to the sky and offer free stargazing and astronomy to anybody interested in observing with us.

After weeks of inclement weather, we have a night that could work out okay. We can expect clear sky conditions with some wind. Temps will drop quite a bit, into the low 30’s, which will bring instability to the local atmosphere, making for difficult seeing conditions in the telescope. Though it will be clear, so we are going to rock whatever we can. The bright 96% waning gibbous Moon will rise at 7:35 pm, shortly after we open. So no dark sky viewing tonight, but the Moon will eventually offer a good view.

We will open the Observatory, Sky Theatre, and Science Center at 7:00 pm tonight. In the Observatory we’ll direct our primary 24 inch telescope towards the Orion Nebula, Hind’s Crimson Star (the Vampire Star), Rigel, the Moon, and more. We may also have our diagonal working, and if so we will showcase Uranus, NGC 2392 – a young white dwarf star, alongside other targets that require use of the diagonal. In the Science Center, exhibits and astro photographs captured by our astronomy team will be on display. The Sky Theatre will feature a showcase of celestial objects photographed at Frosty Drew Observatory. We will close up at 10:00 pm.

Overall, tonight will be clear but certainly has a few caveats. The Moon will be very bright and will rise about 30 minutes after we open. So don’t expect dark sky conditions! Also, the rapid temperature drop coupled with wind will make for poor viewing conditions in the telescope. If you’re making the long drive, you may want to sit this one out. But it’s been a while since we have opened and if you need a quick astro-fix, then tonight is your night. So stop in and geek out with the Moon at Frosty Drew tonight.

Take a moment to catch up on some awesome things happening in our little sliver of the galaxy in:
A Celebration of Space - February 18, 2022

Be sure to subscribe to the Frosty Drew Observatory mailing list, follow us on Twitter (@FrostyDrewOBSY) or on Facebook to receive status updates about our Stargazing Nights program and more.

Check out our page on Visiting Frosty Drew Observatory to learn more about what to expect at the Observatory and to better help you prepare for your visit.

Please note that we do not allow any white lights on our campus from dusk - dawn. This is to ensure an equally awesome view of the night sky for all and to allow for the use of light sensitive astronomical equipment. Learn more about why we have this requirement in The Red Light District.

It is cold at Frosty Drew Observatory during the winter and early spring. Visitors will be completely exposed to the harsh winter environment while standing on frozen ground. Dressing properly is REQUIRED to attend! Lean how the Frosty Drew Astronomers dress for working overnight on the Frosty Drew campus during the winter. Read it! Follow it!

If you are looking for that awesome astronomy thing to do or just want a night out to experience the cosmos under the darkest sky in Rhode Island, then this is your chance.

Please note that due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the detail of this event may change. Please check in regularly, both here and on our SARS-CoV-2 page, to stay up to date.