Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center

When:

Fri, Nov 3, 2023 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Cost:

Register Here Please read below.

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 partly cloudy sky conditions with a bit of wind. Now that the second half of autumn is upon us, the winter winds are starting to move in, and with it will come colder onsite temps, as well as limitations on the direction of the sky we can point our telescope towards. Considering that tonight’s 66% waning gibbous Moon will not rise until 10:16 pm, we are in for a night of thousands of stars. Let’s hope clouds stay to a minimum so we can celebrate the darkness!

We will open the Observatory, Science Center, and Sky Theatre at 7:00 pm tonight. In the Observatory, the large telescope will start off with a view of Saturn’s rings and moons. Next up will be Jupiter with the four Galilean Moons. At 9:13 pm, Jupiter’s moon – Europa will move into the view of Jupiter, casting a shadow on Jupiter’s cloud tops which we can see in the telescope. Depending on how heavy cloud cover is, we will be directing the telescope towards nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies as well. In the Science Center our usual exhibits will be on display, including a rocket that has been to space, a 12 foot panoramic of the Apollo 11 landing site, Project Messier, and more. In the Sky Theatre we will return to our previous feature of celestial objects photographed at Frosty Drew Observatory. We will close up at 10:00 pm.

Overall, tonight has the makings for an amazing night. No Moon will keep the sky dark, and lingering sections of the Milky Way will be visible. Though we do have some level of clouds in the forecast, and depending on how that plays out, it could make or break the night. Regardless, it should be clear enough to rock the telescopes, and now that Jupiter and Saturn are in excellent viewing, there will certainly be space to observe. So stop in for a night of cooler temps, and autumn skies at Frosty Drew tonight.

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

Register Here

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.

Take a moment to catch up on some awesome celestial happenings in:
A Celebration of Space - November 3, 2023

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.

Read about our Observatory Dome Access Passes, which are available on a first come first serve basis.

How to Prepare for Autumn Conditions: The second half of autumn at Frosty Drew will bring cooler than expected temperatures. The wide open environment, and outdoor design of the event, will directly expose visitors to the elements. Dressing for winter temperatures is highly recommended when visiting during this time of year. The Observatory building is not climate controlled and the temperatures inside the building must match the outside air temperatures for correct operations. A wind breaking jacket, hat, and warm shoes are necessary when visiting.

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.