Amateur Astronomical Society of Rhode Island
Amateur Astronomical Society of Rhode Island
A close pairing of Mars and Uranus gives us a red and blue Independence Day treat, Venus passes Regulus in the evening, Mercury moves to the morning, Pluto at opposition, and a pair of Mooned-out meteor showers all highlight the night sky in July.
2026 marks the semiquincentennial (literally “half of five centuries”) of the Declaration of Independence, the founding document of the United States of […]
Saturday, July 11, 2026 Featuring Member Presentations Social hour at 6:00 pm, Presentation at 7:00 pm Lots of activities for a summer […]
In addition to the usual Public Night this Saturday visitors could also learn about HAM radio operation. The Blackstone Valley Amateur Club […]
In July, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of this great nation. This momentous event occurred during, and because of, […]
One of the joys of being an astronomy lover is that there’s always something new being discovered; there’s not much time around […]
by Lisa Kaltenegger, New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2024, ISBN 978-1-250-28363-4, Hardbound, $30.00, US At first, this book begins with a series […]
On June 17, 2026, a lunar occultation of Venus occurred which was visible from most locations in North America. Unfortunately, the occultation […]
Weather: Clear, calm, 65°Participants: Michael Corvese, Matt White, Jim Meltzer, John Kocur, Jim HendricksonAttendees: 5Observed: 6-day crescent Moon, M13, Alberio, M81 & […]
Weather: Clear, calm, 70°Participants: Bob Horton, Jim Hendrickson, Katie Chippendale, John Kocur, Mike Kerr, Laura Landen, Francine JacksonAttendees: 15Observed: Double Double, M5, […]
Spring has finally sprung in New England, bringing with it opportunities to observe the night sky. Freezing, dreary nights are gone (for […]
The skies of June bring us the shortest nights, a trio of evening planets, a daytime lunar occultation of Venus, and the […]
By Mark McCaughrean, Koln: Emons Verlag, 2025, ISBN 978-3-7408-0601-9, Softbound, $23.95, US Recently, I read Why Space Will Freak You Out: The […]
May is Moon Month with three significant events occurring, namely two Micromoons and a Lunar X & V. There were two full […]
We’re sure everyone was glued to their screens watching the Artemis II crew’s 10-day trek to the Moon, the first in many […]
You may have heard, perhaps even felt, or saw social channels light up with questions and speculation, or received a text from […]
I arrived at Seagrave Observatory during twilight, Venus and Jupiter had already dipped behind the trees to the west-northwest, and were out […]
Friday, May 1, 2026Weather: Clear, 50°, calm windParticipants: Francine Jackson, Jim HendricksonAttendees: 4Observed: Venus, Aldebaran, Sirius, Jupiter, MoonPhotos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCSWozReport by Jim Hendrickson […]
Dear Members, I am honored to address you for the first time as the 62nd President of our organization. I hope to follow in […]
Do you remember when humans flew to the Moon? As a lifelong astronomy and space enthusiast in my early 50s, I didn’t […]
Weather: Mostly clear, 45°, wind NEParticipants: Francine Jackson, Bob Janus, Jim Hendrickson, John KocurAttendees: 22Observed: Moon, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, M45Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCRYY4Reports by […]
Weather: Clear, 45° calmParticipants: Bob Janus, Jim Hendrickson, Francine Jackson, Jay Baccala, Mike Kerr, John KocurAttendees: 12Observed: Moon, Mars, M44, M64, M104, […]
One of the most important, but often forgotten, persons in history is Robert Goddard, whose time and incredible patience led to his […]
The arrival of spring brings some notable changes to our nights. During March, we will see rapidly decreasing darkness, as the hours […]
By Kimberly Arcand and Megan Watzke, with illustrations by Robert Ball, Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Kids, 2026, ISBN 978-1-4642-2709-7, Softbound, $12.99, US If you’ve […]
With sadness, I report the passing of Skyscrapers member Bill Weber. I spoke with his wife, Mary, this afternoon and she provided […]
On February 24, 2025, the International Astronomical Union Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN) recognized Francine Jackson’s contributions to astronomy education […]
It is with sadness that I write this in memory of my friend, traveling companion, confidant, and, eventually, my brother, David A […]
On October 27, 1985, while browsing through the Sunday Providence Journal newspaper I noticed an article entitled: Halley’s Comet Coming at You. […]
by Joyce Towne, Planetarium Consultant & Francine Jackson It’s always difficult to write about a person known for many years, and Dave […]
Frank Evans Seagrave continued his astronomical endeavors as the beginning of the 20th century approached. Throughout the next 34 years his prolific […]
The Early Years : 1860 – 1874 Frank Evans Seagrave was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on March 29, 1860, son of […]
Pat Armitage was a force in Skyscrapers for many years. My first meeting with her was at a total solar eclipse site […]
Sadly, I must report the loss of one of our newer members. Althea Doodson passed away on October 19; she was 89. […]
Dear Friends, On Monday Oct 10th Dave Rose passed away after a long battle with cancer. He chose not to share his […]
As many of you know, on May 31, 2022, Skyscrapers, Inc. lost a dear member, David A. Hurdis. Dave was born in […]
Preface Over the years I have realized that while many folks may know about historical events in general, they are clueless as […]
To all Skyscrapers, I am deeply saddened to have learned of the sudden passing of our member, Michael Ambrose. Michael is the […]
I was shocked to learn about Frank Dubeau’s passing last week. Frank was a long time Skyscraper. I think he joined about […]
Francis I. “Frank” Dubeau 76, of Blackstone, MA, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, April 16, 2020 at home. He was the husband of […]
A major force in astronomy in Rhode Island has left us: William Scott “Bill” Penhallow died January 15, 2020, at age 86. […]
One of our most avid members, Kent Cameron, passed on Thursday, November 30th. Well-known as one of the first to volunteer for […]
It’s very hard to lose a friend, but to become aware of two in one day is very difficult. This week the […]
Components A. Opening to optical box B. Entrance slit made of razor blades C. Baffles to reduce scattering D. Achromat focused on […]
It was with great sadness to learn of the recent death of Walter Dowhyj. Although not a presence lately, in past decades […]
Dear Members & Friends of Skyscrapers, Inc., It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we inform you of the passing […]
It seemed only right to learn that Bill had died while many of us were at the 2014 International Planetarium Society meeting, […]
Having finished building my 17.5-inch Dobsonian in 1982, and having grown weary of schlepping it around by hand truck and two-wheel trailer […]
Jim Hendrickson suggested the idea and Steve Siok supported it, so here it is – another challenge for Skyscrapers members to develop […]
John Hopf is shown here with his 6-inch Newtonian telescope, circa 1960. John was an “Amateur Astronomer” in the truest sense – he made […]