other Land Trust events are here — return to Astronomy page
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 […]
CANCELLED due to snow cover- (Attendee with "pisces" in email address: pls email us directly at astronomy@lymelandtrust.org) ___ 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 […]
CO-SPONSORED BY PHOEBE GRIFFIN NOYES LIBRARY- Saturn, the Moon, Venus, Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter and Mars are all out on this winter night. In the west, Saturn is chasing the setting Sun while Venus and Neptune straddle the crescent Moon at session's start. Jupiter and its Great Red Spot will be in clear view. The Red […]
DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- Bright Venus remains prominent in the west before darkness, while Saturn grazes close to the horizon. As darkness falls, Jupiter is high overhead in Taurus due south, with Mars trailing behind to the left in Gemini. Orion dominates the southern sky, with its great Orion Nebula glowing in Orion's […]
DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- Jupiter and Mars remain visible in the night sky, as the winter constellations sink in the west. In the east, Leo is rising from a winter rest, along with its myriad galaxies. In the north, the Big Dipper has finally emerged from the tree line showcasing its own impressive […]
DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- Mars is offering its last views at high elevations. Jupiter sinks in the west. Our friend Saturn is on the far side of the Sun, returning to the eastern pre-dawn sky in October. Leo now sits high overhead, with many galaxies to be seen in its borders (eg, M65 […]
DATE COULD SHIFT BASED ON WEATHER- Mars now begins its march to a western exit, while the great Hercules rises high in the sky. Galaxy-rich Virgo is in full view, with many clusters of galaxies such as pictured above. If the weather goes against us, we will move the event to the closest clear night […]
© Lyme Land Conservation Trust, Inc. dba Lyme Land Trust. The Lyme Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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.”
