Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center

When:

Fri, Mar 15, 2024 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Cost:

$5 Suggested Donation Per Person

Welcome to the Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center's 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 is the last Winter Stargazing Nights event of the first half of 2024, and forecasts are looking a bit variable, but certainly trending in our favor. We can expect mostly clear sky conditions with heavy haze. Our most reliable forecasts are calling for clearer conditions tonight, though some sources are calling for mostly cloudy conditions. Variability usually favors us, and our most reliable source says clear sky conditions. So we’ll take it as it goes. Considering that the 35% waxing crescent Moon will be with us until 1:47 am, we are in for a night of semi-dark sky conditions, with stunning views of the Moon and Earthshine, which is when the nighttime side of the Moon is dimly illuminated from sunlight reflecting off of Earth.

We will open the Observatory, Science Center, and Sky Theatre at 8:00 pm tonight. In the Observatory we’ll direct the large 24 inch telescope towards Jupiter, after which we will check out the slender crescent Moon, the Orion Nebula, the Messier 46 open star cluster, binary star Gamma Leo, and possibly a galaxy or two depending on how bright the Moon is later in the night. In the Sky Theatre we’ll show our regular feature of celestial objects photographed at Frosty Drew Observatory. The Science Center will be open in wintertime mode. We’ll close up at 10:30 pm.

Overall, tonight has a good chance at being a fantastic night. The Moon will be out, and will outshine some of the dimmest objects, but the thin crescent is a stunning sight in itself. There is a credible threat of hazy conditions and even some level of cloud cover, but we think the night will play out nicely. So take a chance and swing by Ninigret Park tonight and say goodbye to winter with a night out under the stars.

Tickets are not required for visitors to attend this event. Admission is free, though a suggested donation of $5 per person, at the event, is very appreciated.

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.

Take a moment to catch up on some astronomical happenings in:
A Celebration of Space - March 15, 2024

Be sure to subscribe to the Frost Drew Observatory mailing list and follow us on Instagram 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 temperature 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.