Westport Observatory
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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
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...
November 13, 2025 at 5:17 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
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 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
November 12, 2025 at 4:50 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.
November 12, 2025 at 1:02 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-...
November 11, 2025 at 12:26 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
November 9, 2025 at 3:07 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
November 6, 2025 at 6:56 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.
🔗
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
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
November 6, 2025 at 2:30 AM
🌬️☁️ 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
November 5, 2025 at 6:00 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
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 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...
November 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
🌟 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
November 2, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Unfortunately, the Star Party at Aquila’s Nest Vineyard is canceled tonight 11/1.

We’ll reschedule soon and be back with wine, stars, and cosmic views of your universe. 🍷🔭

Stay tuned for a new date → www.aquilasnestviney...

#WestportObservatory #StarParty #Stargazing #AquilasNestVineyard
November 1, 2025 at 3:36 PM
🌟 Comet 3I/ATLAS brightens rapidly! 🌟
As it reached perihelion on Oct. 29, spacecraft watching the Sun saw a sudden surge in brightness. Scientists expect it to emerge from solar conjunction much brighter and easier to see from Earth. 🔭
Full story: Spaceweather.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:00 AM
🍷✨ The WAS Away Team heads to Aquila’s Nest Vineyard this Saturday at 6:30 PM for a night of wine and stargazing! See ☄️ Comets Lemmon & SWAN, 🌕 80% Moon, 🪐 Saturn, Uranus & Neptune, plus a Tiangong pass at 7:48 PM.

🍇 Sign up → tinyurl.com/26zgr4lr

#StarParty #Astronomy
October 30, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The clouds have cast their spooky spell over the Westport Observatory tonight — we’re socked in!

No stargazing this evening, but don’t fear the dark too much — we’ll rise again next Wednesday for our Star Party! https://was-ct.org/

#WestportObservatory #Halloween #Stargazing #StarParty #Boo
October 29, 2025 at 11:36 AM
The USGS seismic detectors at the Westport Observatory picked up the M6.5 earthquake this morning at 8:38 AM, just east of Beauséjour, Guadeloupe, 1,832 miles from Westport.

This quake is not related to Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, now tracking toward Jamaica.

#Earthquake #WestportObservatory
October 27, 2025 at 5:52 PM
🌠 We’re opening early tonight at the Westport Observatory for views of Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2)! A few passing clouds won’t stop us—see Saturn, Neptune, and deep-sky wonders at our Star Party! 🔭✨

📸 Kathy & Ryan Denke, WAS SeeStar30

#Astronomy #CometSWAN #ZWO
October 22, 2025 at 11:21 AM
🌠 Comet Night — Tonight! 🌠

If the weather cooperates, join us tonight (Mon Oct 20, 7–9 PM) at the Westport Observatory Tower to view Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2) as they make their closest approach to Earth this week!

Check for updates: was-ct.org/programs/...
October 20, 2025 at 3:03 PM
🚨 Speaker Update! 🚨 The government shutdown moved Naveen Vetcha to January, but we welcome CUNY’s Iman Behbehani this Tuesday, Oct 21 at 8 PM! Join us online for “The Life Cycle of Matter through Stars,” as Iman explores Betelgeuse on Zoom & YouTube: was-ct.org/events/im...

#WestportObservatory
October 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
It’s Star Party season!

The WAS Away Team is out on the streets of Fairfield County with our telescopes, sharing the universe with all! Check out member astrophotography, a new October speaker, and Monday’s Comet Star Party: mailchi.mp/was-ct/fo...
#WestportObservatory #WestportAstronomicalSociety
October 19, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Comet Night!

Join us Monday, Oct 20, 7–9 PM for tower views of Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2) as they approach to Earth this week. We’ll open only if skies are clear: was-ct.org/events/le...

Photo: Phil Harrington
#WestportObservatory #CometLemmon #CometSWAN #Astronomy #CT
October 18, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The Webb Space Telescope: The Journey So Far

Join us Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 8 PM for a talk by Dr. Naveen Vetcha, Team Lead at Amentum’s Space Exploration Division. Explore Webb’s incredible discoveries!

📺 The classroom will be closed
Watch on YouTube or Zoom: was-ct.org
October 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Congratulations to WAS member Michael Southam!His stunning image of LDN 1295 — The Giraffe Nebula featured as today’s AAPOD2 Image of the Day!

Captured under the dark skies of Cherry Springs State Park, PA. www.aapod2.com/blog/...

#Astrophotography #AAPOD2 #GiraffeNebula #Astronomy #CherrySprings
October 16, 2025 at 12:32 PM