Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center

When:

Fri, Mar 21, 2025 7:30 pm - 9:30 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 first Stargazing Night of spring 2025, and forecasts are calling for clear sky conditions with a bit of wind. Temps are getting warmer with each passing week, and tonight’s temps will be around 40ºF with wind chills feeling a bit colder. The third quarter Moon will not rise until 2:40 am tomorrow morning, leaving us with fantastically dark sky conditions to celebrate. As long as the wind can stay calm(er) it will be an amazing night to be out under the stars!

We will open the Observatory, Science Center, and Sky Theatre at 7:30 pm. In the Observatory we will start off the night with views of Jupiter until twilight wanes. Once darkness sets in we will direct the large 24 inch telescope towards open star clusters, young white dwarf stars, nebulae, and galaxies. In the Sky Theatre we will show our regular feature of celestial objects captured at Frosty Drew Observatory. We will close up at 9:30 pm.

Overall, tonight looks like a fantastic night to be out under the stars. The only issue we are seeing is the potential for wind gusts in the 30mph range, which could restrict our viewing. If making the long drive, tonight will be a night to give it a go. Keep in mind that even though springtime is here, it is still quite chilly at night, and the wind will make it feel like winter. So, be sure to dress for winter conditions. We’ll see you soon!

Tickets are not required for visitors to attend this event, 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.

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.