Westport Observatory
@westportastro.bsky.social
Since 1975 the Westport Astronomical Society has been bringing the wonders of the night sky who have visited the Westport Observatory in CT. We open to the public on clear Wednesdays from 8-10 pm. http://www.was-ct.org #Observatory #WestportCT
Giving Tuesday is Dec 2! We kept our Free Science Lectures going on Zoom, and now we’re upgrading the Westport Observatory classroom to bring everyone back together. Help us make it media-ready for even better talks, both in person and online. Support WAS science!
#GivingTuesday #WestportObservatory
#GivingTuesday #WestportObservatory
November 28, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Giving Tuesday is Dec 2! We kept our Free Science Lectures going on Zoom, and now we’re upgrading the Westport Observatory classroom to bring everyone back together. Help us make it media-ready for even better talks, both in person and online. Support WAS science!
#GivingTuesday #WestportObservatory
#GivingTuesday #WestportObservatory
Happy Thanksgiving!
We hope your day is packed with good food, good laughs, and zero unexpected cosmic surprises (unless Betelgeuse finally blows—then all bets are off).
Huge thanks to our supporters, members, and their families. You’re the gravity that keeps this whole place together.
We hope your day is packed with good food, good laughs, and zero unexpected cosmic surprises (unless Betelgeuse finally blows—then all bets are off).
Huge thanks to our supporters, members, and their families. You’re the gravity that keeps this whole place together.
November 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Happy Thanksgiving!
We hope your day is packed with good food, good laughs, and zero unexpected cosmic surprises (unless Betelgeuse finally blows—then all bets are off).
Huge thanks to our supporters, members, and their families. You’re the gravity that keeps this whole place together.
We hope your day is packed with good food, good laughs, and zero unexpected cosmic surprises (unless Betelgeuse finally blows—then all bets are off).
Huge thanks to our supporters, members, and their families. You’re the gravity that keeps this whole place together.
Astronomers may have spotted dark matter at last. Gamma rays near the Milky Way’s center—seen by NASA’s Fermi craft—fit what you’d expect from colliding WIMPs. Other galaxies don’t show it yet, so caution is high, but the stakes are huge. www.theguardian.com/...
#DarkMatter #Astronomy #WAS
#DarkMatter #Astronomy #WAS
November 27, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Astronomers may have spotted dark matter at last. Gamma rays near the Milky Way’s center—seen by NASA’s Fermi craft—fit what you’d expect from colliding WIMPs. Other galaxies don’t show it yet, so caution is high, but the stakes are huge. www.theguardian.com/...
#DarkMatter #Astronomy #WAS
#DarkMatter #Astronomy #WAS
Clouds shut us down tonight, so the observatory is CLOSED (11/26). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! And if you can, please think of the Westport Observatory on Giving Tuesday (Dec. 2)—we’re fundraising for an A/V upgrade to keep our science lectures going strong.
#WestportObservatory #Thanksgiving
#WestportObservatory #Thanksgiving
November 26, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Clouds shut us down tonight, so the observatory is CLOSED (11/26). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! And if you can, please think of the Westport Observatory on Giving Tuesday (Dec. 2)—we’re fundraising for an A/V upgrade to keep our science lectures going strong.
#WestportObservatory #Thanksgiving
#WestportObservatory #Thanksgiving
Michigan has 10 dark-sky sites, but industry keeps chipping away. From Big Cypress to the Boundary Waters, the Arctic, and even Chile’s Atacama, natural darkness is under threat.
Gifted NYT:
www.nytimes.com/2025...
#DarkSkies #LightPollution #Astronomy #Conservation #WAS #WestportObservatory
Gifted NYT:
www.nytimes.com/2025...
#DarkSkies #LightPollution #Astronomy #Conservation #WAS #WestportObservatory
November 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Michigan has 10 dark-sky sites, but industry keeps chipping away. From Big Cypress to the Boundary Waters, the Arctic, and even Chile’s Atacama, natural darkness is under threat.
Gifted NYT:
www.nytimes.com/2025...
#DarkSkies #LightPollution #Astronomy #Conservation #WAS #WestportObservatory
Gifted NYT:
www.nytimes.com/2025...
#DarkSkies #LightPollution #Astronomy #Conservation #WAS #WestportObservatory
Comet ATLAS (C/2025 K1) is literally cracking up near the North Star — four fragments and counting. It’s even glowing gold, thanks to its bizarre carbon-poor chemistry. Around 10th magnitude and visible pre-dawn between the Big Dipper and Polaris. Wild sky show tonight. 🌟 spaceweather.com/
November 24, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Comet ATLAS (C/2025 K1) is literally cracking up near the North Star — four fragments and counting. It’s even glowing gold, thanks to its bizarre carbon-poor chemistry. Around 10th magnitude and visible pre-dawn between the Big Dipper and Polaris. Wild sky show tonight. 🌟 spaceweather.com/
Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS just delivered its best color image yet—blue CO+ tail, green C₂ head, all classic comet stuff. The twist? A jet is blasting toward the Sun while the tail streams away. Interstellar visitors love drama. More at spaceweather.com.
#CometATLAS #3IATLAS #Astronomy
#CometATLAS #3IATLAS #Astronomy
November 22, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS just delivered its best color image yet—blue CO+ tail, green C₂ head, all classic comet stuff. The twist? A jet is blasting toward the Sun while the tail streams away. Interstellar visitors love drama. More at spaceweather.com.
#CometATLAS #3IATLAS #Astronomy
#CometATLAS #3IATLAS #Astronomy
NASA just unveiled new images of Comet 3I/ATLAS, taken from spacecraft between Earth and Mars. The data suggests it might come from a solar system older than ours. And no—still a comet, not aliens. More updates as it passes by. abcnews.go.com/Techn...
#Comet3IATLAS #NASA #Astronomy
#Comet3IATLAS #NASA #Astronomy
November 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
NASA just unveiled new images of Comet 3I/ATLAS, taken from spacecraft between Earth and Mars. The data suggests it might come from a solar system older than ours. And no—still a comet, not aliens. More updates as it passes by. abcnews.go.com/Techn...
#Comet3IATLAS #NASA #Astronomy
#Comet3IATLAS #NASA #Astronomy
Clear, cold skies tonight — perfect for opening the dome at the Westport Observatory! No Moon means prime Deep Sky viewing: nebulae, galaxies, and more. Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus shine early, with Jupiter rising later in the east. We open at 8!
was-ct.org/programs/...
#WestportObservatory
was-ct.org/programs/...
#WestportObservatory
November 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Clear, cold skies tonight — perfect for opening the dome at the Westport Observatory! No Moon means prime Deep Sky viewing: nebulae, galaxies, and more. Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus shine early, with Jupiter rising later in the east. We open at 8!
was-ct.org/programs/...
#WestportObservatory
was-ct.org/programs/...
#WestportObservatory
Tonight’s the night! 🚀
MIT’s Professor Sara Seager joins us for “From Lab to Cosmos: Three Frontiers in the Search for Signs of Life Beyond Earth.”
She’ll present live online while we host the full event in person.
See you in the classroom at 8 PM!
was-ct.org/events/sa...
MIT’s Professor Sara Seager joins us for “From Lab to Cosmos: Three Frontiers in the Search for Signs of Life Beyond Earth.”
She’ll present live online while we host the full event in person.
See you in the classroom at 8 PM!
was-ct.org/events/sa...
November 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Tonight’s the night! 🚀
MIT’s Professor Sara Seager joins us for “From Lab to Cosmos: Three Frontiers in the Search for Signs of Life Beyond Earth.”
She’ll present live online while we host the full event in person.
See you in the classroom at 8 PM!
was-ct.org/events/sa...
MIT’s Professor Sara Seager joins us for “From Lab to Cosmos: Three Frontiers in the Search for Signs of Life Beyond Earth.”
She’ll present live online while we host the full event in person.
See you in the classroom at 8 PM!
was-ct.org/events/sa...
Heads up! The Leonid meteor shower peaks early Monday with no moonlight—perfect viewing. You might see up to 12 meteors/hour. Taurids are still around too—slow, sparse, but capable of big fireballs. More info: www.astronomy.com/ob...
#Leonids #Taurids #MeteorShower #Astronomy #WestportObservatory
#Leonids #Taurids #MeteorShower #Astronomy #WestportObservatory
November 16, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Heads up! The Leonid meteor shower peaks early Monday with no moonlight—perfect viewing. You might see up to 12 meteors/hour. Taurids are still around too—slow, sparse, but capable of big fireballs. More info: www.astronomy.com/ob...
#Leonids #Taurids #MeteorShower #Astronomy #WestportObservatory
#Leonids #Taurids #MeteorShower #Astronomy #WestportObservatory
The November Field of View newsletter is live from the Westport Astronomical Society.
mailchi.mp/was-ct/fo...
#WestportCT #WestportObservatory #WestportAstronomicalSociety #Astrophotography
mailchi.mp/was-ct/fo...
#WestportCT #WestportObservatory #WestportAstronomicalSociety #Astrophotography
November 16, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The November Field of View newsletter is live from the Westport Astronomical Society.
mailchi.mp/was-ct/fo...
#WestportCT #WestportObservatory #WestportAstronomicalSociety #Astrophotography
mailchi.mp/was-ct/fo...
#WestportCT #WestportObservatory #WestportAstronomicalSociety #Astrophotography
WAS's Phil Harrington was up early this morning and captured our interstellar interloper, Comet 3I/ATLAS, with his Celestron Origin astrograph. A look at a comet that keeps everyone guessing.
Curious about all the supposed “anomalies”? Astronomer Jason Wright breaks it down:
sites.psu.edu/astrow...
Curious about all the supposed “anomalies”? Astronomer Jason Wright breaks it down:
sites.psu.edu/astrow...
November 13, 2025 at 5:17 PM
WAS's Phil Harrington was up early this morning and captured our interstellar interloper, Comet 3I/ATLAS, with his Celestron Origin astrograph. A look at a comet that keeps everyone guessing.
Curious about all the supposed “anomalies”? Astronomer Jason Wright breaks it down:
sites.psu.edu/astrow...
Curious about all the supposed “anomalies”? Astronomer Jason Wright breaks it down:
sites.psu.edu/astrow...
Clouds win again. ☁️ The Westport Observatory will be closed tonight for viewing — and of course, it had to happen on another night with a chance of aurora.
http://www.was-ct.org/
#WestportObservatory #Aurora #Stargazing #SpaceWeather #WestportAstronomicalSociety
http://www.was-ct.org/
#WestportObservatory #Aurora #Stargazing #SpaceWeather #WestportAstronomicalSociety
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Clouds win again. ☁️ The Westport Observatory will be closed tonight for viewing — and of course, it had to happen on another night with a chance of aurora.
http://www.was-ct.org/
#WestportObservatory #Aurora #Stargazing #SpaceWeather #WestportAstronomicalSociety
http://www.was-ct.org/
#WestportObservatory #Aurora #Stargazing #SpaceWeather #WestportAstronomicalSociety
🌌 THE STORM IS NOT OVER 🌌
Last night’s auroras wowed skywatchers from Canada to El Salvador! Two CMEs hit Earth on Nov. 11th, triggering a G4 storm seen in 45+ states. Another CME could arrive tonight—eyes up!
📸 John Stetson, Sebago Lake, Maine
Spaceweather.com
#Aurora #NorthernLights
Last night’s auroras wowed skywatchers from Canada to El Salvador! Two CMEs hit Earth on Nov. 11th, triggering a G4 storm seen in 45+ states. Another CME could arrive tonight—eyes up!
📸 John Stetson, Sebago Lake, Maine
Spaceweather.com
#Aurora #NorthernLights
November 12, 2025 at 4:50 PM
🌌 THE STORM IS NOT OVER 🌌
Last night’s auroras wowed skywatchers from Canada to El Salvador! Two CMEs hit Earth on Nov. 11th, triggering a G4 storm seen in 45+ states. Another CME could arrive tonight—eyes up!
📸 John Stetson, Sebago Lake, Maine
Spaceweather.com
#Aurora #NorthernLights
Last night’s auroras wowed skywatchers from Canada to El Salvador! Two CMEs hit Earth on Nov. 11th, triggering a G4 storm seen in 45+ states. Another CME could arrive tonight—eyes up!
📸 John Stetson, Sebago Lake, Maine
Spaceweather.com
#Aurora #NorthernLights
What an epic night of aurora across the world — and right here in New England!
And it’s not over — there may be another CME is on the way, possibly bigger than the first two.
Here are a few incredible shots from our members, reporting in from Arizona, Long Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
And it’s not over — there may be another CME is on the way, possibly bigger than the first two.
Here are a few incredible shots from our members, reporting in from Arizona, Long Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
November 12, 2025 at 1:02 PM
What an epic night of aurora across the world — and right here in New England!
And it’s not over — there may be another CME is on the way, possibly bigger than the first two.
Here are a few incredible shots from our members, reporting in from Arizona, Long Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
And it’s not over — there may be another CME is on the way, possibly bigger than the first two.
Here are a few incredible shots from our members, reporting in from Arizona, Long Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
VERY Limited Supplies!
The 2026 Westport Astronomical Society Calendar is here — featuring stunning astrophotography from our talented members and daily sky data from Phil Harrington.
Perfect for any stargazer!
Get yours before they’re gone → was-ct.org/calendar-...
The 2026 Westport Astronomical Society Calendar is here — featuring stunning astrophotography from our talented members and daily sky data from Phil Harrington.
Perfect for any stargazer!
Get yours before they’re gone → was-ct.org/calendar-...
November 11, 2025 at 12:26 PM
VERY Limited Supplies!
The 2026 Westport Astronomical Society Calendar is here — featuring stunning astrophotography from our talented members and daily sky data from Phil Harrington.
Perfect for any stargazer!
Get yours before they’re gone → was-ct.org/calendar-...
The 2026 Westport Astronomical Society Calendar is here — featuring stunning astrophotography from our talented members and daily sky data from Phil Harrington.
Perfect for any stargazer!
Get yours before they’re gone → was-ct.org/calendar-...
Comet 3I/ATLAS is back, visible pre-dawn in Virgo.
A Nov. 8 image reveals 4–5 tails, including a jet toward the Sun—unlike recent fuzzy photos. It’s still on its predicted path. Spaceweather.com is asking for confirming shots.
#Comet #3IATLAS #Astronomy #Astrophotography
A Nov. 8 image reveals 4–5 tails, including a jet toward the Sun—unlike recent fuzzy photos. It’s still on its predicted path. Spaceweather.com is asking for confirming shots.
#Comet #3IATLAS #Astronomy #Astrophotography
November 9, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Comet 3I/ATLAS is back, visible pre-dawn in Virgo.
A Nov. 8 image reveals 4–5 tails, including a jet toward the Sun—unlike recent fuzzy photos. It’s still on its predicted path. Spaceweather.com is asking for confirming shots.
#Comet #3IATLAS #Astronomy #Astrophotography
A Nov. 8 image reveals 4–5 tails, including a jet toward the Sun—unlike recent fuzzy photos. It’s still on its predicted path. Spaceweather.com is asking for confirming shots.
#Comet #3IATLAS #Astronomy #Astrophotography
A CME hit Earth early Nov. 6, sparking a strong G3-class geomagnetic storm. Up to three additional CMEs are expected through Nov. 9. More nights of aurora potential for northern skies!
Even better? Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) is glowing in the sunset sky.
📸 Details @ Spaceweather.com
Even better? Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) is glowing in the sunset sky.
📸 Details @ Spaceweather.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:56 PM
A CME hit Earth early Nov. 6, sparking a strong G3-class geomagnetic storm. Up to three additional CMEs are expected through Nov. 9. More nights of aurora potential for northern skies!
Even better? Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) is glowing in the sunset sky.
📸 Details @ Spaceweather.com
Even better? Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) is glowing in the sunset sky.
📸 Details @ Spaceweather.com
🌕💥 DOUBLE LUNAR IMPACT!
Two asteroids slammed into the Moon last week—both caught by Japanese astronomer Daichi Fujii. Traveling at 60,000 mph, the space rocks left fresh craters in the lunar soil, a reminder our serene neighbor is constantly under fire.
🔗
Two asteroids slammed into the Moon last week—both caught by Japanese astronomer Daichi Fujii. Traveling at 60,000 mph, the space rocks left fresh craters in the lunar soil, a reminder our serene neighbor is constantly under fire.
🔗
2 Spooky Flashes Lit Up the Moon. Here’s What Made Them.
A Japanese astronomer captured a pair of objects slamming into the lunar surface in recent days.
tinyurl.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM
🌕💥 DOUBLE LUNAR IMPACT!
Two asteroids slammed into the Moon last week—both caught by Japanese astronomer Daichi Fujii. Traveling at 60,000 mph, the space rocks left fresh craters in the lunar soil, a reminder our serene neighbor is constantly under fire.
🔗
Two asteroids slammed into the Moon last week—both caught by Japanese astronomer Daichi Fujii. Traveling at 60,000 mph, the space rocks left fresh craters in the lunar soil, a reminder our serene neighbor is constantly under fire.
🔗
Solar activity has spiked with multiple X-class flares and at least three CMEs heading for Earth. Impacts are expected Nov. 6–7, possibly causing auroras visible across the northern U.S.
Watch for updates @ Spaceweather.com
#Aurora #SolarStorm #SpaceWeather #Astronomy
Watch for updates @ Spaceweather.com
#Aurora #SolarStorm #SpaceWeather #Astronomy
November 6, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Solar activity has spiked with multiple X-class flares and at least three CMEs heading for Earth. Impacts are expected Nov. 6–7, possibly causing auroras visible across the northern U.S.
Watch for updates @ Spaceweather.com
#Aurora #SolarStorm #SpaceWeather #Astronomy
Watch for updates @ Spaceweather.com
#Aurora #SolarStorm #SpaceWeather #Astronomy
🌬️☁️ Clouds and strong winds will keep the Westport Observatory closed tonight, 11/5. Stay warm, and we’ll see you under clearer skies next week! 🔭✨
#WestportObservatory #Astronomy #Stargazing #WestportAstronomicalSociety
#WestportObservatory #Astronomy #Stargazing #WestportAstronomicalSociety
November 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
🌬️☁️ Clouds and strong winds will keep the Westport Observatory closed tonight, 11/5. Stay warm, and we’ll see you under clearer skies next week! 🔭✨
#WestportObservatory #Astronomy #Stargazing #WestportAstronomicalSociety
#WestportObservatory #Astronomy #Stargazing #WestportAstronomicalSociety
🚀 25 Years Aboard the ISS! 🛰️
The International Space Station marks 25 years of continuous human presence in space. As it nears retirement in 2030, NASA’s push for commercial stations faces delays — raising concern over a future gap in orbit.
spacenews.com/on-the...
#ISS #NASA #25YearsInSpace
The International Space Station marks 25 years of continuous human presence in space. As it nears retirement in 2030, NASA’s push for commercial stations faces delays — raising concern over a future gap in orbit.
spacenews.com/on-the...
#ISS #NASA #25YearsInSpace
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 PM
🚀 25 Years Aboard the ISS! 🛰️
The International Space Station marks 25 years of continuous human presence in space. As it nears retirement in 2030, NASA’s push for commercial stations faces delays — raising concern over a future gap in orbit.
spacenews.com/on-the...
#ISS #NASA #25YearsInSpace
The International Space Station marks 25 years of continuous human presence in space. As it nears retirement in 2030, NASA’s push for commercial stations faces delays — raising concern over a future gap in orbit.
spacenews.com/on-the...
#ISS #NASA #25YearsInSpace
🌌 Next WAS Speaker: Dr. Sara Seager (MIT) — From Lab to Cosmos: Three Frontiers in the Search for Signs of Life Beyond Earth!
Join us Tuesday, Nov 18 at 8 PM at the Westport Observatory & online for an inspiring talk on the search for life beyond our planet. 🔭
👉 was-ct.org/events/sa...
Join us Tuesday, Nov 18 at 8 PM at the Westport Observatory & online for an inspiring talk on the search for life beyond our planet. 🔭
👉 was-ct.org/events/sa...
November 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
🌌 Next WAS Speaker: Dr. Sara Seager (MIT) — From Lab to Cosmos: Three Frontiers in the Search for Signs of Life Beyond Earth!
Join us Tuesday, Nov 18 at 8 PM at the Westport Observatory & online for an inspiring talk on the search for life beyond our planet. 🔭
👉 was-ct.org/events/sa...
Join us Tuesday, Nov 18 at 8 PM at the Westport Observatory & online for an inspiring talk on the search for life beyond our planet. 🔭
👉 was-ct.org/events/sa...
🌟 A Rare Golden Comet! 🌟
Most comets glow green — but not this one. Comet ATLAS (C/2025 K1) has emerged from its close solar encounter shining a brilliant golden hue. ☄️✨ Photographed by Dan Bartlett of June Lake, California. Learn how to spot it in the morning sky at Spaceweather.com
Most comets glow green — but not this one. Comet ATLAS (C/2025 K1) has emerged from its close solar encounter shining a brilliant golden hue. ☄️✨ Photographed by Dan Bartlett of June Lake, California. Learn how to spot it in the morning sky at Spaceweather.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:28 AM
🌟 A Rare Golden Comet! 🌟
Most comets glow green — but not this one. Comet ATLAS (C/2025 K1) has emerged from its close solar encounter shining a brilliant golden hue. ☄️✨ Photographed by Dan Bartlett of June Lake, California. Learn how to spot it in the morning sky at Spaceweather.com
Most comets glow green — but not this one. Comet ATLAS (C/2025 K1) has emerged from its close solar encounter shining a brilliant golden hue. ☄️✨ Photographed by Dan Bartlett of June Lake, California. Learn how to spot it in the morning sky at Spaceweather.com