Charlestown’s Dark Sky

Astrotourism is more than just a trend—it’s a way for Charlestown to share what makes our town special with others, while supporting local businesses and protecting our natural environment. With a little planning, we could make stargazing part of Charlestown’s story, one that brings people here year-round and leaves everyone with unforgettable memories.

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Where: Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center in Ninigret Park
When: Tuesday, September 17, from 9:00 pm to 11:30 pm
On Tuesday, September 17, the Harvest Moon will occur, and with it a Partial Lunar Eclipse is taking place, which will be visible to all in New England. This will be an awesome night and Frosty Drew Observatory is opening to celebrate the event starting at 9:00 pm offering excellent views of the eclipse. They will stay on site and open until 11:30 pm, which is when the eclipse will be completed.

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When: Saturday, Septemper 14, 2024 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Frosty Drew Observatory in Ninigret Park
Cost: $5 Suggested Donation per person 5 years and older
For the 2024 International Observe the Moon Night, Frosty Drew Observatory will join thousands of museums, observatories, and science institutions around the world in spotlighting our nearest neighbor, the Moon. The waxing crescent Moon will be in perfect position for spectacular up-close viewing in the Frosty Drew telescopes and on their grounds.

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Where: Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center in Ninigret Park
When: Saturday, September 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
What: Fourth Annual Inspire, Discover, Enlighten, and Awe (IDEA) Fundraising Exposition
Cost: Admission is free with the expectation that visitors will donate to help Frosty Drew achieve their yearly goals.

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On May 28, the Charlestown Town Council voted 4 to 1, with Councilor Susan Cooper objecting, to acquire four more portable light towers. The configuration and type of these lights violate Charlestown’s lighting ordinance. The ordinance that applies to any non-residential exterior lighting requires that lighting be fully shielded, focused downward, and not result in light trespass or light pollution. The Town Council’s decision to violate the ordinance will make it more likely that commercial businesses throughout town will ignore the town’s 12-year effort to protect Charlestown’s beautiful dark skies.

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The final plan includes an appendix with comments, but missing from the comment collection is an important letter from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island in opposition to the installation of any lighting near the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge. Also missing is a 2012 letter from the US Fish and Wildlife Service in opposition to lighting in Ninigret Park sent as an attachment with other correspondence. The missing letters both clearly state that there is no lighting that will not impact nesting and migratory birds in the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.

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When: Wednesday, December 13 from 6:30 pm to Thursday, December 14, at 2:00 am
Where: Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center in Ninigret Park
Cost: $5 Admission per person 5 years and older
The Geminid Meteor Shower is one of the best (if not the best) meteor shower of the year. Geminid Meteors are bright with a (seasonally festive) greenish hue that leave long-lasting dust trails in the sky.

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As an organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and the habitats they rely on, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island strongly opposes the installation of any novel lighting at Ninigret,  even those deemed to be “dark sky friendly.” A growing body of literature suggests that artificial light at night has the capacity to draw birds off course during migration and increase further the mortality associated with an already high-risk period in a migratory bird’s annual cycle.

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Did you miss the November 30 meeting on a new Ninigret Park Master Plan with the consultants working on the plan, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, and with an estimated cost of $20 to $30 Million? A video of the meeting is in this post along with highlights of the plan and meeting.

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Frosty Drew is the most accessible dark-sky area east of the Mississippi. Light pollution poses a serious threat to nocturnal wildlife, as it has negative impacts on plant and animal physiology. It can confuse the migratory patterns of animals, alter competitive interactions of animals, and change predator-prey relations. Full story at ecoRI News …

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When: Thursday, November 30, at 7 pm
Where: Charlestown Elementary School, 363 Carolina Back Rd, Charlestown
Anyone interested in the future of Ninigret Park will want to attend this meeting in person because the draft of the new 2023 Master Plan will be presented and because VHB will gather additional input from the public before it finalizes the 2023 Master Plan for delivery to the town in December.

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The night sky has inspired humanity for thousands of years. Science has progressed because of it. Studying it has shown our place in the Universe and led to more stories, spiritual, philosophical, religious, social and emotional revolutions than any other part of our world. Young students have been inspired by it and have gone on in life to outstanding careers in science, engineering, and technology, which have greatly benefited our society.

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Did you miss the October 30 meeting on a new Ninigret Park Master Plan with the consultants working on the plan, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin? A video of the meeting is in this post. The next meeting at which VHB is scheduled to be present is November 30 at 7 p.m. at the Charlestown Elementary School.

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The maximum number of cars that can be parked in Ninigret Park governs capacity. No matter where a large event area is placed, parking will dominate the remaining areas of the Park, and the quiet enjoyment of Ninigret Park by residents and wildlife will be eliminated.

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“With the park’s master plan undergoing an update, a potential option is increased lighting. Lighting would ruin the park’s unique view of the night sky, which every year attracts thousands of visitors. Town Council President Carney says, “We hear it about the dark sky, people who value the dark sky,” but she notes the park is for the recreational use of all Charlestown residents.” Read the full story in Nov. 4 Providence Journal.

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When: Monday, October 30 at 6 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall, 4540 South County Trail (Rt. 2)
What: Consultant will present three options for the Ninigret Park Master Plan
Planning for the future of Ninigret Park is well underway, and as part of the process, it is essential to understand how the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (CNALF) came to be Ninigret Park and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.

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When: Friday, October 27 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where: Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center in Ninigret Park
Cost: Tickets are required for visitors to attend this event. Tickets are free, though a suggested donation of $5 per person, either at the event or online, is very much appreciated. Link to get tickets in this post.
Dig out that old costume, put on your mask, and come out to the creepy woodlands of Ninigret Park to celebrate the Eve of All Hallows… If you dare…

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Global insect populations have declined by as much as 75 percent during the past 50 years, according to scientists, potentially leading to catastrophic impacts on wildlife, the environment and human health. Most studies point to habitat loss, climate change, industrial farming and pesticide use as the main factors driving the loss of insects, but a recent study in the United Kingdom points to another cause: light pollution.

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Between August and November, an estimated 14 million birds pass through South County on their long fall migration. Many of these migrants are young birds who hatched this year and who have never migrated before. Increasing light pollution is decreasing the number of birds that will survive migration, especially first-time migrants.

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What was proposed in the 2014 draft? A Performance Venue, Camping, and Lighting—A 19-acre performance area is to be located in an undeveloped area; an 8-acre camping area is to be located north of Little Nini Pond; and lighting will be placed throughout the Park. Parking—Cars, and buses, are to be parked in parking lots and in among the existing recreational facilities in Ninigret Park. Attendees–The baseline is 8,000 people, a number that can be waived for larger, one-time events.

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More than 80 percent of the world’s population, and 99 percent of Americans and Europeans, now live under light-polluted skies. Many people live and die without ever seeing the Milky Way, but in Charlestown, we are so lucky to still have a clear view of the Milky Way.

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When: Friday, August 11 from 9:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Where: Frosty Drew Campus in Ninigret Park
Why: To Celebrate Charlestown’s Beautiful Star-Filled Skies And See Some Passing Meteors
Who: Charlestown RI Dark Sky Advocates in Cooperation with Frosty Drew Observatory & Science Center
The annual Perseid meteor shower has begun and will peak Saturday, August 12 until the early hours of Sunday, August 13.

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Forbes names the eight best places in North America to see the Perseid meteor shower and Charlestown’s Frosty Drew Observatory is number two on the list! The annual Perseid meteor shower has begun and will peak Saturday, August 12 until the early hours of Sunday, August 13. Visit Frosty Drew or another dark place in Charlestown to see the beautiful show.

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When: Saturday, July 22 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Frosty Drew Campus in Ninigret Park
Why: To Celebrate Charlestown’s Beautiful Star-Filled Skies
Who: Charlestown RI Dark Sky Advocates in Cooperation with Frosty Drew Observatory & Science Center

All are welcome at this “Star Party” to enjoy our spectacular night sky in peaceful surroundings where we can be awestruck by its striking views.

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This June 14 marks the fourteenth anniversary of the grand opening of the John G. Drew Sky Theatre in Ninigret Park. Over the last 14 years, the original dream of connecting views seen through the large telescope to a screen in the Sky Theatre has been accomplished—and more.

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UPDATE: Rain and clouds will likely block the view of our beautiful sky tonight. If tonight’s event doesn’t work, there will be more scheduled soon.
When: Saturday, June 17 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. (weather permitting)
Where: Frosty Drew Campus in Ninigret Park
Why: To Celebrate The Summer Solstice and Charlestown’s Beautiful Star-Filled Skies
Who: Charlestown RI Dark Sky Advocates in Cooperation with Frosty Drew Observatory & Science Center
As we celebrate the shortest night of the year, we can party with the stars. Westerly may have Taylor Swift, but Charlestown has the entire cosmos.

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Throughout history the stars have inspired poetry, they connect us to the universe, they are a part of what makes us human, and yet they are dimming in a fog of artificial light. What will we lose if we lose the night in Charlestown, and what will Rhode Island lose if we lose this last beautiful oasis of dark along our Atlantic coast?

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When: Saturday, May 27 from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (Skies Should Be Clear!)
Where: Frosty Drew Campus in Ninigret Park
Why: To Celebrate Charlestown’s Beautiful Star-Filled Skies
Who: Charlestown RI Dark Sky Advocates in Cooperation with Frosty Drew Observatory & Science Center
All are welcome at this “Star Party” to enjoy our spectacular night sky. Charlestown has the darkest skies along the coast between New York and Boston. Read the post to learn guidelines for the event.

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“Dark Sacred Night” is a special project of the Princeton University Office of Sustainability. The film is only 15 minutes long. Please watch it and reflect on how lucky we are to live in Charlestown where we can still see the Milky Way.

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If you love the stars, there’s a new Facebook group in town you will want to join! ”Charlestown RI Dark Sky Advocates” is dedicated to celebrating our glorious night sky and learning what we can do to reduce light pollution for our health and enjoyment and to protect our environment. Read the post to learn how to join.

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The annual Lyrid Meteor Shower began on April 15 and will continue until April 29, with a peak date on April 23 in the hours just before dawn. The conditions for viewing the Lyrid Meteor Shower are considered optimal in 2023, assuming there will be some clear skies.

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When: April 15 to April 22, 2023
Where: The sky above Charlestown, Rhode Island
Why: Charlestown’s dark sky protects the health of both people and wildlife, gives us a fabulous view of the universe, and so much more. Charlestown is an important location for the study and viewing of the cosmos because we have the darkest skies along the coast between New York and Boston. Read more to learn how you can celebrate International Dark Sky Week.

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“Birds that migrate, songbirds especially, usually migrate at night,” Calcagno said. “So light pollution can disorient them, can cause them to hit buildings, and it can cause them to be attracted to certain lighting. We have resorts and hotels and all these things along the coast which can affect them. It can cause a lot of birds to not go the way they’re supposed to go; or it can increase mortality from strikes; or they may even fly too far over the ocean to get away from the light, get exhausted and fall out of the sky and not survive.”

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Every Friday night in the winter (weather permitting), Frosty Drew Observatory opens their Observatory, Science Center, Sky Theatre, and telescopes to the skies and offers free stargazing and astronomy to anybody interested in observing with them. They open on clear Friday nights at around 7:00 p.m. with views of the beautiful night sky over Ninigret Park.

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On October 2nd, Rhode Island Public Broadcasting Service (RI PBS) aired a story about Light Pollution for RI PBS Weekly, a TV News magazine featuring in-depth stories of local interest. The film “Green Seeker: Lights Out”, created by photo journalist and editor Ross Lippman, features Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theatre, Charlestown’s exquisite night sky, the issue of light pollution, and what we lose when we lose our view of the stars. Video in the post.

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“Only In Your State” calls Ninigret Park “Home To One Of The Best Dark Sky Parks In The World” “Boasting some of the darkest skies on the East Coast, Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theatre at Ninigret Park in Charlestown offers the perfect way to spend a Friday evening – all year around.”
Read the full story in the Only In Your State article.

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Where: Frosty Drew Observatory in Ninigret Park
When: Sunday, May 15, 2022, 9:00 pm – Monday, May 16, 2022, 3:00 am
Cost: $5 Admission per person 5 years and older
Overnight Sunday, May 15, 2022, to Monday, May 16, 2022, a Total Lunar Eclipse is taking place and it will be visible to all in New England.

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Providence Journal: From a dark corner of Charlestown, not far from the ocean, the view reaches millions of light years into space. The Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theatre’s new PlaneWave CDK600 telescope has already provided images of galaxies more than 55 million and 80 million light years away from Earth. “It’s the best telescope in Rhode Island that’s accessible to the public,” said Scott MacNeill, observatory director.

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The Frosty Drew Observatory in Ninigret Park has just finished the installation of their new telescope, a model “CDK 600”, made by PlaneWave Instruments of Adrian, Michigan. The research-grade telescope will be the best telescope in Rhode Island. This bigger, better, and more modern telescope was funded in part with a $107,541.00 grant from the Champlin Foundation.

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South County Tourism Council sat down with astronomer Scott MacNeill from the Frosty Drew Observatory to talk about the Sky Theatre in Ninigret Park, the Great Conjunction and favorite celestial bodies! Check it out and give it a listen. You’ll learn about the history of the observatory, our night sky, how we see the sky, science, upcoming celestial events, Charlestown’s Red Light District and much more!

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Since 1970, North America has lost 3 billion breeding adult birds from the total bird population. Habitat loss is one of the main causes of bird declines. One of the main routes, for both the north and south bird migrations, passes through southern Rhode Island. Losing the use, or even part of the use, of a scarce habitat like the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, will push even greater losses.

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Frosty Drew Observatory’s dynamic program is drawing people in from all over New England to Charlestown to experience our dark sky. This Rhode Island Monthly magazine story describes the amazing view of Saturn that you can see through Frosty Drew’s telescopes.

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Great article in So Rhode Island magazine about Charlestown’s dark skies. “Frosty Drew sits in a wide-open park, surrounded by protected federal lands with nothing beyond but the big, wide Atlantic Ocean. What this means for stargazers is the right kind of darkness, a field of stars relatively unmarred by man-made light. You can even get a look at the Andromeda Galaxy – which will be in prime viewing over Rhode Island in October”

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This story in the Journal Nature explains that the world is lit at night like never before, and ecologists are assessing the damage.

Locally, Charlestown is the darkest spot along the coast between New York and Boston, but we lose a little darkness every year.

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The eclipse in Rhode Island may have only been 67%, but the crowds at Frosty Drew Observatory in Ninigret Park on August 21 were full! Estimates on attendance range from […]

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Boston.com found three easy-to-get-to places in New England with a great view of the Milky Way and listed Frosty Drew as number one! The other two were the much more […]

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