Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center

When:

Fri, Feb 28, 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 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's forecasts are calling for mostly cloudy sky conditions with increasing clouds. There’s quite a bit of variability in forecasts for how cloudy it will be, with some sources calling for partly cloudy sky conditions, but most calling for mostly cloudy to overcast conditions. This is quite unfortunate considering that the new Moon is occurring at 7:47 pm this evening, which would have offered up spectacularly dark sky conditions. In any case, Jupiter and Mars may be visible if clouds aren’t too heavy, so we will give it a go.

We will open the Observatory, Science Center, and Sky Theatre at 7:00 pm tonight. In the Observatory we will evaluate sky conditions as the night progresses. If acceptable, our primary targets will probably be Jupiter and Mars, unless we score with a clear sky – wishful thinking. It won’t be as cold tonight as it has been, but we could see some wind gusts approaching the 30mph range, which will make it feel cold. The Sky Theatre and Science Center will have the heat on, and on screen we’ll show our regular feature of celestial objects photographed at Frosty Drew Observatory. We will close up at 9:00 pm.

Overall, tonight is not looking too promising. Clouds will be an issue tonight, and may be heavy enough to block our view of anything in the sky. If variability favors us, as it usually does, we will adjust the night based on what we are seeing. Jupiter and Mars benefit visually from light cloud cover, and we could end up with a nice view. Taking advantage of the new Moon and dark sky conditions will likely not be on the list tonight. If making the long drive, tonight will be a night to skip, but if you’re in the area, it may be worth a try. We’ll see you soon!

Tickets are not required to attend this event.

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.

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.