Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center

When:

Fri, Nov 8, 2024 - CLOSED

Cost:

Tickets may be required to attend. Please read below.

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.

Even though forecasts look good, we are keeping the campus closed tonight. Temperatures will drop significantly quick after sunset, which will bring wind gusts into the 35mph range. The fast temp drop and windy conditions will make for poor seeing conditions tonight. Seeing conditions are a measure of atmospheric stability that affects telescope observation. Even though the sky may appear clear, views in the telescope will be very blurry, almost like looking at a reflection in rippled water. We are also expecting a chance of heavy cloud cover during the hours of our event, which could render the sky completely overcast. Due to these variabilities in the forecast, as well as a much needed break for the astronomy team, we are keeping the Observatory and Science Center closed tonight. We will return to our regular Stargazing Nights event schedule on Friday, November 15, 2024. We’ll see you then!

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 Late 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.