Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center

When:

Fri, Aug 16, 2024 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Cost:

SOLD OUT!

Welcome to the Frosty Drew Summer 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's forecasts are calling for clearer conditions this afternoon with the sky becoming partly cloudy after 9:00 pm. We also have a great deal of wildfire smoke moving though the region, which will make the sky appear very hazy. The 88% waxing gibbous Moon will be with us into the early morning hours and will make for quite a colorful view through the smoke. There are a lot of variables regarding tonight's weather, all of which could make or break the night. We are hopeful that we will be able to observe some of the brighter objects tonight before sky conditions become problematic.

We will open the Observatory, Courtyard, Science Center, and Sky Theatre at 6:30 pm this afternoon. Now that we are in the last stretch of summer, the Sun is setting much earlier, which will shorten our solar observation activities. Regardless, we will have the Sun in our telescopes until we lose it to the treeline. The early Moon rise will give us a chance to grab some twilight views of the cratered lunar surface once the Sun sets. On tonight’s list are a series of binary star systems, the Moon, and Saturn. In the Sky Theatre, NASA Solar System Ambassador – Frank Puglia will be presenting on all things space, and the Science Center will be open with exhibits on display. We will close up at 11:00 pm.

Overall, tonight is a questionable night. The heavy wildfire smoke moving over our region will obscure a lot of the sky, but will also make for a stunning sunset, as well as a ruddy hue to the Moon. We are also expecting clouds to increase later in the night, and fog could move in to the region early. Additionally, the bright 88% waxing gibbous Moon will surely light up the sky and the smoke, so Milky Way viewing will not be happening tonight. If making the long drive, keep in mind that you could be met with nothing to see in the telescope depending on how the night’s weather plays out. On the flip side, variability often favors us at Frosty Drew and the night could turn out fantastic, especially with the colors that the smoke will allow for. So head over to Frosty Drew and lament the wildfire smoke of August with us.

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.

This event has SOLD OUT!

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 space happenings in:
A Celebration of Space - August 16, 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.

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

How to Prepare for Summertime Conditions: The Frosty Drew Observatory is located inside Ninigret Park and borders the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge. Insects and arachnids are a concern when visiting the Frosty Drew campus. We have observed mosquitoes, green head flies, deer flies, ticks, biting ants, and more. Please read the Mosquitoes and Insects section on our Visiting the Observatory page to familiarize yourself with adequate preparation measures.

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.