Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center

When:

Fri, Apr 29, 2022 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Cost:

Ticket Sales have Ended

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.

Tonight, or a second week in a row, forecasts look amazing on a super dark night! The New Moon occurs tomorrow, which will leave our sky super dark for the entire night. Though outside of our current hours, the Milky Way will be absolutely stunning starting around 2:00 am, as it rises from the South and stretches over the Observatory. These are the nights that we live for!

We will open the Observatory, Courtyard, Science Center, and Sky Theatre at 8:00 pm. In the Observatory, we will start out with a view of brighter binary stars as we wait for twilight to wane. Once twilight’s end approaches, we will direct our 24 inch telescope towards star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae. In the Courtyard we will have another telescope set up hunting down any objects we can dig out of the starscape, as well as a new viewing station which will show a highly detailed live view of select galaxies and nebulae. In the Science Center, exhibits will be on display including a rocket that has actually been to space, a 12 foot wide panoramic of the Apollo 11 landing site on the Moon, and select images of space captured by the Frosty Drew Astronomy Team. The Sky Theatre will show a feature of celestial images captured at Frosty Drew Observatory. We will close up at 10:30 pm.

Tickets are required for visitors to attend this event. Tickets are free, though a suggested donation of $5 per person, at the event, is very appreciated.

Overall, tonight looks fantastic! We have one forecasting source calling for periodic clouds overnight, though all other sources are calling for clear sky conditions after 9:00 pm. If making the long drive, tonight is the night to do so, just be sure to have a ticket or you will not be granted access. We really hate turning away visitors, but we cannot handle over 150 visitors during our down-season. Though if you have a ticket, you can stay for the entire event and celebrate thousands of stars, galaxy season, and stunning views in our huge 24 inch telescope. So make this a night to set your inner geek loose, and have a moment with the universe at Frosty Drew tonight.

Take a moment to catch up on some awesome happenings in space in:
A Celebration of Space - April 29, 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.