Where:

Frosty Drew Observatory

When:

Sat, Jul 11, 2020 - CLOSED

Cost:

$5 admission per person 5 years and older

Update: July 11, 2020 4:09 pm ===============
Due to the forecast for near-full cloud cover, we are cancelling this event. We'll open next on Friday, July 17, 2020 for our Stargazing Nights event. See you then!
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IMPORTANT NOTE: A link to acquire tickets will be posted on this event page no earlier than the day before the event, if weather is acceptable for viewing. We have been receiving an excessive number of phone calls and emails about where to acquire tickets for our events. This information is listed below! Kindly read the entire page before calling or writing in. The information is posted thoroughly so our team members do not have to respond to questions for redundant information. We will not respond to calls or emails with inquiries about how to acquire tickets. Thank you for your understanding.

Frosty Drew Observatory resides in one of the darkest locations in southern New England, and one of the most accessible spots to see the Milky Way Galaxy. Catching sight of the Milky Way stretching across the sky is a view that we regularly enjoy at Frosty Drew Observatory, and one of our most frequent questions is “when can I see the Milky Way at Frosty Drew Observatory?’. So we are adding a couple Saturday night stargazing events themed on viewing the Milky Way. These are the nights that we think will offer best viewing of the Milky Way during the summer months.

Starting at 9:30 pm (weather permitting) hang out with our astronomers and telescopes as we showcase many of the fascinating celestial objects that are found along the Milky Way galactic plane, including young star clusters, star forming nebulae, colorful binary star systems, and thousands of stars. The Milky Way will become visible after 9:30 pm tonight, with best views kicking in around 10:00 pm. These are the nights to lay out under thousands of stars with no Moon to obscure your view.

Due to restrictions on the number of people that can be in groups, we have integrated a temporary ticketing system. Tickets can be acquired online only! A link to acquire tickets is posted below. If the event sells out, please DO NOT attempt to circumvent the ticketing process by using the standard donation form on our website. THAT WILL NOT GET YOU A TICKET OR ACCESS TO THIS EVENT! A ticket is required for admission at tonight’s event!

Important information about tickets:

- A maximum of 150 tickets will be available for each night depending on telescope availability.
- A ticket is required for each person in your party / group.
- Tickets will not be available on site. This means you need to arrive with your ticket.
- Tickets will be checked at the Observatory main gate, either electronically or physically.
- The name on the ticket must match the name of the ticket holder.
- If you do not have a ticket, you will not be granted admission.
- Tickets are non-refundable.
- This event is weather dependent and cancellations will be posted on the day of the event.
- We cannot guarantee the weather and seeing the Milky Way is very dependent on clear conditions.
- Though tickets have different times listed, all ticket holders can stay on the campus for the entire duration of the event. The times are to mitigate the formation of a long admission line.

Admission for this event is a donation of $5 per person over the age of 5 years. We thank you for doing so!

When visiting, please be aware of signage and social distancing markers as well as flow indicators. If you are experiencing any symptoms of any contagion, stay home and postpone your visit, even if that means forfeiture of your ticket. Visitors who are visibly displaying symptoms of a contagion will not be granted admission. This is just how it is for now, so take your allergy pill before departing for Frosty Drew Observatory!

If seeing the Milky Way is on your bucket list, or if you just want a relaxing night to lay out under the stars, then this is your chance.

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.

Please note that we do not allow any white lights on our campus from dusk - dawn. This is to ensure an equally awesome view of the night sky for all as well as to allow for the use of light sensitive astronomical equipment. Learn more about why we have this requirement in The Red Light District.

Now gear up for a fabulous night out at the darkest spot in Rhode Island and celebrate fabulous views of the Milky Way.

Photo: A fabulous springtime view of the Milky Way over Frosty Drew Observatory by Frosty Drew Observatory's Scott MacNeill