other Land Trust events are here — return to Astronomy page
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- The Milky Way continues to dominate the nighttime sky. Objects higher towards the zenith in Cygnus and Lyra come into prominent view. If the weather goes against us, we will move the event to the closest clear night and notify you. We have several different telescopes that are on […]
DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- It is the kick-off to Labor Day Weekend, so let's begin with a relaxing session under the night sky. Whether you're staying put, having guests coming to you, or delaying your getaway to Saturday morning, this session is for you and yours. Come on out, family and friends in […]
CANCELLED! We are sorry to cancel but we can't fight the weather. Please see the October 4 make-up session and the others scheduled out through the end of the year. PS Since it is cloudy out, click here to see the full Trail 53 Astrophotography Gallery! The Lyme Land Trust Astronomy Group aspires to […]
MAKE-UP SESSION- The Milky Way is moving from due south to the west, and its prominent targets are at a nice height above the horizon as we start up. Meanwhile in the east Saturn, Andromeda and Pegasus are on the rise. If the weather goes against us again, we will move the event to the […]
Informational only- NO EVENT SCHEDULED- The comet is naked-eye visible, and you can see it if you know where to look. The comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3) is still visible after sunset but tough to spot if you don't know where to look. Binoculars are recommended. It has a distinct tail and a bright nucleus. Use […]
DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- Saturn is the star tonight, although its rings might surprise you. Owing to their tilt in space and Saturn's movement around its orbit, our view of the rings from Earth is becoming more and more 'edge-on', which is to say we can't see them well, like if someone held […]
DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- Sharp-eyed observers will notice the bright Venus chasing the Sun towards the sunset spot before darkness. As darkness falls, Jupiter is rising in the east, joining Saturn in prominence, along with tiny Neptune and Uranus nestled in between. The Great Square of Pegasus is high overhead, with our closest […]
DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- After our December hiatus, observing is back! Orion, Gemini and Taurus dominate the night sky, and Jupiter shines brightly high overhead. We have several different telescopes that are on display including a 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain housed in a permanent observatory. Inside the observatory, you can watch deep sky objects grow […]
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All rights reserved. A special thank you to the photographers that generously shared their work.
Ryan Quinn grew up in Lyme and graduated from Lyme-Old Lyme High school. After moving away for college and a career in education, he returned to the area in 2015 with his wife Baylee Drown to start a vegetable farm. In 2019 they were able to become Lyme landowners by purchasing what is now known as Long Table Farm. Prior to being a full time farmer Quinn has worked as a sailor, handyman, science teacher and outdoor educator.
“Moving back to Lyme gave me new appreciation for how the blend of community, open space, and ecology that thrive here have influenced my life. Lyme Land Trust’s mission to preserve and promote these features for the public good is near and dear to my heart. The Lyme Land Trust is one of the institutions that makes Lyme a special place to live.”
Jim’s primary responsibility is to oversee stewardship of the 3130 acres spread across 112 parcels that are owned or managed by LLT. He comes to us with a variety of experiences spanning ecological research and restoration, natural resource and sanctuary management, and environmental education. Improving the outlook for native biodiversity has always motivated Jim, whether by working with people, land, or preferably both at the same time. Most recently he served as conservation biologist at The Connecticut Audubon Society. He holds a BS degree in wildlife and fisheries biology from the University of Vermont and a MS degree in conservation biology from the State University of New York in Syracuse. Jim lives in Middletown.
“It is a giant honor to have this opportunity to help build on the substantial success of the Trust in a part of the world as special as Lyme.”
Wendy has lived in Lyme since 1982. Her career has encompassed a combination of art and the natural sciences; as a medical illustrator working at Yale University Medical School for 30 years, and a professor of art at Middlesex Community College for 10 years. She is currently the Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme and co-chair of the Lyme Pollinator Pathway.
“I love the fact that the LLCT seeks to encourage the appreciation of the natural world by exposing people to the wonders of nature through education, guided walks and other opportunities. I believe that preserving the land in its most natural state is very important to the physical and mental health of our planet. I love to learn and there is so much to learn in the woods of Lyme, about the natural world, history and beauty.”
Tony has lived in Lyme since 1986. He is a graduate of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Management and co-founder of Ecological and Environmental Consulting Services (EECOS) specializing in forest ecology and land use management.
“The Land Trust is critical for the protection of our ecologically diverse and unique near-coastal and riverine landscape, unmatched in the northeast.”
Kristina grew up in Old Lyme and has made Lyme her home since 2004. She held numerous jobs in the corporate world and most recently was the Administrative Director of Musical Masterworks, a nonprofit chamber music series in Old Lyme. As the Executive Director, she is responsible for leading the LLCT as it relates to the strategic direction and overall management of the organization. She identifies and implements short-and long-term strategic goals and is accountable to the Board of Directors for achieving those goals.
“The Land Trust protects land for perpetuity, provides outdoor recreation, and educates the surrounding community of the importance of conservation and environmental sustainability. We strive to be an example for other land trusts to follow.”
