Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center

When:

Fri, Jun 20, 2025 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Cost:

This Event has 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.

After a very cloudy year, forecasts are trending towards clearer sky conditions this evening. We can expect mostly clear sky conditions later this afternoon with a potential for some light cloud cover to pass through between 9:00 – 11:00 pm. The 19% waning crescent Moon will not rise until 1:48 am, keeping the sky free of Moon light during our event. This will make for super dark sky conditions, and if clouds can stay out, it will be a night of thousands of stars.

We will open the Observatory and Science Center at 6:30 pm. In the Courtyard we will have our solar telescopes set up offering stunning views of the Sun’s atmospheres. Now that we are in Solar Maximum, which is the most active time period during the 11-year solar cycle, we will have many sunspots and prominence to observe! The planet Mercury is also very high in the western sky, and we will attempt daytime observations during this time. Once the Sun sets we will direct our telescopes towards the night sky. Being that today is the Summer Solstice we will have a very late sunset, which will cause twilight to linger well past 9:30 pm. Binary stars will be the objects we observe during this time. As the sky gets darker we will direct our telescopes towards the Milky Way and observe stunning star clusters and nebulae. In the Sky Theatre we will show our regular feature of celestial objects captured at Frosty Drew Observatory. The Science Center will have exhibits on display. We will close up at 11:00 pm.

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!

Overall, tonight has the potential to be an amazing night. There is a threat of light clouds passing through right around the time that twilight ends, which could certainly hamper the night. It is also the latest sunset of the year today, which will push twilight well into the nighttime hours. If making the long drive, it is likely a night to do it, but keep in mind that the sky could become partly cloudy. Regardless, this looks like the best Friday night we have had yet for stargazing this year. So grab a ticket and swing on over for a night of astronomy, darkness, and thousands of stars!

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 this week in:
A Celebration of Space - June 20, 2025

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 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. If you show up with your high beam headlights on, don't expect a warm welcome. Learn more about why we have this requirement in The Red Light District.