Astronomy Events

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February 3, 2024 Astronomy Observing Session

Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

Now Orion dominates the southern sky. Jupiter is moving to the west, and Saturn has dipped below the horizon. In the northeast, some of Ursa Major's galaxies begin to peek above the trees. We have several different telescopes that are on display including a 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain housed in a permanent observatory. Inside the observatory, you […]

Free

March 2, 2024 VENUE AND PROGRAM CHANGED!

LLT Stewardship Barn 12-1 Town St, Lyme, CT, United States

URGENT: Owing to the overcast skies forecast for tomorrow, the observing session has been changed to an indoor program: The Amazing Story Behind Solar Eclipses. The program will be held at the Lyme Land Trust Stewardship Barn, 12-1 Town Street, Lyme CT (not at the observing site!) and will last approximately one hour. The Lyme […]

Free

The Amazing Story Behind Solar Eclipses

Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library 2 Library Lane, Old Lyme, CT, United States

The Lyme Land Trust Astronomy Group will present an information session at the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, featuring: How eclipses occur Why Earth’s solar eclipses are unique The April 8, 2024 eclipse and how to safely view it To register for the event, please follow this link: 03/11/2024 | The Amazing Story Behind Solar Eclipses […]

March 29, 2024 Astronomy Observing Session

Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

Facing south, Orion has slid over to the western half of the sky, and Leo rises in the east. Beyond Leo, the bright star Arcturus gives the early hint of spring on the march. In the north, the galaxies M81 and M82 in Ursa Major, and M51 in Canes Ventatici are well placed for viewing. […]

Free

Partial Solar Eclipse

THIS POST IS INFORMATIONAL ONLY. A partial solar eclipse will occur in Lyme, CT from 2:13p to 4:37p. Maximum coverage of the Sun by the Moon will occur at 3:27p, at which point the Sun will be 90.3% obscured. AT NO TIME WILL IT BE SAFE TO OBSERVE THE ECLIPSE HERE IN LYME WITHOUT EYE […]

May 3, 2024 Astronomy Observing Session

Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- Leo and its bright star Regulus dominate the sky due south. To the right, the Milky Way is well down the western horizon, not to return to the night sky until later in June, this time in the east. Arcturus climbs in the eastern sky, and we can once […]

Free

May 31, 2024 Astronomy Observing Session

Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- Virgo is climbing higher in the southern sky along with its neighbor Corvus to the right (west), and Libra to the left (east). Around to the north, the Big Dipper is upside-down high in the sky, seemingly spilling its contents down onto Polaris. We have several different telescopes that […]

Free

INFO ONLY -Planetary Parade June 4 early am

Your news feeds might speak of a 'planetary parade' tonight. It is accurate that the planets will be in a relatively tight line from the sun itself at the eastern horizon just before sunrise Tuesday, spreading out up and to the right. Of them, Saturn will be the brightest and easiest to spot, followed by […]

June 28, 2024 Astronomy Observing Session

Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- This will be our latest start of the year. As Leo and Virgo head towards a western exit, the Milky Way is now arching across the eastern horizon. It will rise higher and higher in the sky all night long, and each successive week it will rise earlier and […]

Free

CHANGED: Now July 14, 2024 Youth Observing Session #1

Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

WEATHER EVENT. DATE CHANGED. Catering to the youngest observers. We will observe before dark and look at the craters and other features on the Moon. We will learn about the Moon's phases and how its orbit around the Earth results in the phases we see. After that, those who would like to can stay past […]

Free

July 26, 2024 Astronomy Observing Session

Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- The Milky Way dominates the evening sky, rising in the south up towards the zenith and down through the northeastern horizon. Densely populated Scorpius and Sagittarius contain many dazzling targets. All the planets are below the horizon, with Saturn rising above the tree line only after midnight. If the […]

Free

NEW DATE: August 11, 2024 Youth Session #2

Trail 53 Observatory- Details with RSVP

DATE CHANGED DUE TO CLOUD COVER- Catering to young observers. We will begin observing before dark and look at the craters and other features on the Moon. Once dark, we will swing the telescope around to look at a handful of prominent objects that are visible despite the Moon's presence: The Ring Nebula M57 in […]

Free