Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center

When:

Fri, Oct 11, 2024 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm

Cost:

This Event has SOLD OUT!

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's forecasts are calling for clear sky conditions with a bit of wind. The 65% waxing gibbous Moon will be with us until shortly after midnight, and will offer stunning views of the cratered lunar surface. The brightness of the Moon will outshine the dark sky, but we can strike a balance of bright objects with some dim objects. Certainly a great night for those with a thing for the Moon!

We will open the Observatory, Science Center, and Sky Theatre at 7:30 pm. In the Observatory the large telescope will start with views of the waxing gibbous Moon followed by views of Saturn. As the night continues we will direct our telescope towards the Ring Nebula, Messier 15 Globular Cluster, the Andromeda Galaxy, binary star Albireo, and more. In the Sky Theatre we will show images of last night’s Aurora Borealis captured by Frosty Drew Astronomy Team members across the Southern New England region. We will stay open until 10:30 pm.

Overall, tonight has the makings for an excellent night. Clouds should stay out, keeping the sky clear. We will have some wind with gusts reaching into the 22mph range, which could present restrictions on where on the sky we direct the telescope. Temps will be a little warmer than they have been, but still in the 50’s. So a windbreaker will certainly be warranted. If super dark sky viewing is what you’re looking for, tonight’s Moon will brighten up the sky quite a bit. Otherwise, it will be a fantastic night out under the Moon.

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 a great week in astronomy in:
A Celebration of Space - October 11, 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 Prepare for Autumn 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 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.