Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center

When:

Fri, Feb 10, 2023 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Cost:

$5 Suggested Donation per Person

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 skies and offer free stargazing and astronomy to anybody interested in observing with us.

Tonight's forecasts are calling for mostly clear conditions with a spot of wind. Our most reliable forecasting source is calling for clouds to increase after 8:00 pm, with the sky becoming partly cloudy. Tonight’s winds may gust into the 23 mph range, which we can work with. Now that the Moon has departed the evening sky, and will rise after 10:00 pm as a 79% waning gibbous, dark sky conditions have returned to our event window. Comet C/ 2022 E3 ZTF is also very well placed for observation tonight.

We will open the Observatory, Science Center, and Sky Theatre at 7:00 pm tonight. In the Observatory, our large 24 inch telescope will show off the Orion Nebula, Messier 1 supernova remnant / pulsar, Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF, Mars, and more. In the Science Center, exhibits will be on display including the Project Comet Chaser rocket, a panoramic of the Apollo 11 landing site on the Moon, the Frosty Drew Project Messier display, and more. In the Sky Theatre, a feature of celestial objects photographed at Frosty Drew Observatory will be onscreen. We will close up at 10:00 pm.

Overall, tonight has the makings of a great night, no Moon, and potentially clear sky conditions. There is a credible threat for increasing clouds, which will make viewing dim objects difficult, and the wind may end up restricting the dome to one side of the sky. If making the long drive, you may want to wait this one out. Though if you are in the area, then tonight could be a great night to get out under the stars. So take a chance and stop in at the darkest site in Southern New England, and have a night with the stars.

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

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

Preparing for Your Visit:

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

How to Dress for Winter Conditions: The Frosty Drew Observatory is not climate controlled, and the temperatures inside the dome need to match the outside air temperature for a stable telescopic view. Frosty Drew Astronomy Team members dress in layers during the winter and for a very good reason. You should consider doing the same. Please read Dressing for All-Night Winter Stargazing to familiarize yourself with adequate dressing measures.

Please note that we do not allow any white lights on our campus or in Ninigret Park from dusk - dawn, with the exception of low beam headlights while in motion. 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.