Francine Jackson

Francine Jackson

Francine is a longtime member of Skyscrapers and is a member of our outreach committee, where she frequently volunteers her time at star parties. She also has been associated with Ladd Observatory for over four decades. In addition, she is a Fellow of the International Planetarium Society, the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society, and the Great Lakes Planetarium Association.  For many years, her major interest has been transits of Venus, and she has written several articles on their historical significance. She is a former Director of Frosty Drew Observatory in Charlestown, RI, and for many years worked at the Hayden Planetarium in New York City.

Last updated: January 14, 2019
Book Review: The Cosmic Mystery Tour: A High-Speed Journey Through Space and Time

Book Review: The Cosmic Mystery Tour: A High-Speed Journey Through Space and Time

Every so often a book comes along that attempts to introduce the universe to a reader in as short a context as possible. Some work, others don’t. The Cosmic Mystery Tour does. It starts long before any of us were born, familiarizes us with the giants of science through the ages, then stops for awhile to let us know what’s been happening during the past several decades.
Alan Bean 1932-2018

Alan Bean 1932-2018

We’re very quickly losing our greatest era in modern history. Another one of the 12 astronauts to walk on the Moon has recently died: Alan Bean, 86, a Navy test pilot who made his first trip into space November 14, 1969, on Apollo 12, four months after the first Apollo 11 landing with Armstrong and Aldrin.
Venus: Mysteries of the Evening Star

Venus: Mysteries of the Evening Star

Our neighboring planet is a totally alien object, racked with an unbreathable, crushing, and opaque atmosphere. But, then, how do we know anything about it at all?
Book Review: Magnitude - The Scale of the Universe

Book Review: Magnitude - The Scale of the Universe

Magnitude is a fun read, whether you are looking for just the right information to impress your friends with, or to liven an academic conversation. No matter which set of units you open the book to, you’re sure to find a tidbit of information you might not have been aware of. If you do begin at the beginning, you might have trouble putting this book down, as every page will have you wanting to learn more. Magnitude will hold your interest from cover to cover.
A Farewell to Cassini

A Farewell to Cassini

On September 15, the incredible 20 year journey of the Cassini spacecraft comes to an end.
Voyages to the Stars

Voyages to the Stars

On the fortieth anniversary of the launch of Voyager, we explore where the two Voyagers and three other interplanetary travelers are going.
Rainbow Over Seagrave

Rainbow Over Seagrave

At one of our recent workshops, we were witness to one of nature's most beautiful sights: a rainbow
Appreciating the Nature of a Solar Eclipse

Appreciating the Nature of a Solar Eclipse

By now, all members of Skyscrapers, Inc., are aware that on Monday, August 21st, the U.S. will be home to its first total solar eclipse in decades. And, it will be all ours – the path of totality runs completely through the continental United States, from Oregon down through South Carolina. Also, the rest of the country will be able to observe a partial phase. For us in Southern New England, the Sun will lose just under three quarters of its ball to the dark of the New Moon.
Book Review: The Glass Universe

Book Review: The Glass Universe

Many of you are familiar with Dava Sobel's previous books, especially Longitude and Galileo's Daughter, both of which required extensive historical research. This one introduces a part of history that many astronomers use every day, but perhaps aren't aware from where it came: Spectral classification.
The Great Moon Hoax of 1835

The Great Moon Hoax of 1835

As we ramp up to celebrate this year's International Observe the Moon night October 8th, we have to look at one aspect of it: How its presence has affected us here on Earth. We often think of it as beautiful, romantic, or, of course, an object of scientific importance. But, in 1835, our Moon suddenly became an object of both a money grab, and a potential ruin to the reputation of one of the 19th century's most important scientists.
Dog Days

Dog Days

Like other sayings that have come down through the ages, dog days is another that has its origins in the sky. If any of you are able to wake early in the morning before dawn the next few days, and have a good eastern horizon, please confirm that, once again, our language does contain within it a piece of our sky.
Remembering Comet Halley: 30 Years Later

Remembering Comet Halley: 30 Years Later

Can you believe that Halley’s Comet was in our sky 30 years ago? A note in a recent magazine reminds us that in the mid ‘80s we were looking at the most famous of our periodic comets, the only major one not named for its discoverer, but instead for the person who determined that it indeed did return to us. Later research noted that it had been documented since 240 B.C.
In Memory: Roger Menard and Minka Wescott

In Memory: Roger Menard and Minka Wescott

It’s very hard to lose a friend, but to become aware of two in one day is very difficult. Recently, the Rhode Island astronomical community lost two of its most staunch lovers of astronomy.
Rosertta Update

Rosertta Update

As we are continuing to monitor Dawn at Ceres, and New Horizons at Pluto, another breakthrough mission seems to have been lost in the dwarf planet hype. Rosetta, traveling alongside Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, is still sending back incredible information on the comet, as craft and comet are moving together in the vicinity of the Sun.
Rings of the Solar System

Rings of the Solar System

The Centaur Chiron was recently found to have a ring, making it the 6th object in our solar system known to have a system of rings.
Dawn Arrives at Ceres

Dawn Arrives at Ceres

After visiting Vesta and a three-year voyage through the asteroid belt, Dawn is now ready to begin its yearlong mission at one of our solar system's five known dwarf planets, Ceres.
A Night at Foxwoods

A Night at Foxwoods

Francine Jackson reviews a trip to a local theatre to see a presentation by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, host of the recent Cosmos series.
International Year of Light 2015

International Year of Light 2015

On 20 December 2013, The United Nations (UN) General Assembly 68th Session proclaimed 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015). This International Year has been the initiative of a large consortium of scientific bodies together with UNESCO, and will bring together many different stakeholders including scientific societies and unions, educational institutions, technology platforms, non-profit organizations and private sector partners.
Star of Bethlehem

Star of Bethlehem

As December rolls around, our thoughts naturally turn to holidays, the excitement of the upcoming new year, and, of course, the Star of Bethlehem, the enigmatic mention of a guidepost that led the Wise Men to the stable and the Child. This alleged portent is only mentioned once, in the Gospel of Matthew, as an almost aside, and yet, astronomers, philosophers and theologists have been trying for centuries to determine what, or if, this phenomenon could have been.
In Memory of Walter Dowhyj

In Memory of Walter Dowhyj

It was with great sadness to learn of the recent death of Walter Dowhyj. Although not a presence lately, in past decades Walter had been almost a permanent fixture at Skyscrapers, serving as trustee and being at many public open nights.
Fomalhaut

Fomalhaut

A lone, bright star low in the south graces the early autumn evening sky.
New England Astronomy: It's More Than Just Cloudy Skies

New England Astronomy: It's More Than Just Cloudy Skies

There’s got to be a reason so many of us who love astronomy live in Southern New England. Yes, we have beautiful coastlines, great schools, fantastic parks and walkways. But, the one feature we seem to be missing is beautiful skies. Already this calendar year we have been unable to see three very unique celestial events, and yet, we’re still here.

Date of Easter

Easter is always celebrated on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the first day of spring.
John Dobson (1915-2014)

John Dobson (1915-2014)

John Dobson, known for popularizing astronomy through his Sidewalk Astronomy style of outreach (and the founder of the San Francisco-based Sidewalk Astronomers) passed away on January 15, 2014 at age 98. Dobson was perhaps best known for the simple rocker-box style of telescope mounting that bears his name, but his decades-long commitment to bring astronomy to the public is perhaps even more significant, and as such should be a role model for all of us to share our love for the night sky.
Happy Perihelion!

Happy Perihelion!

This has got to be one of the trickiest, and most confusing times of the year. As we here in the north are struggling to stay as warm as possible, we are experiencing what to many is not possible: Being as close to the Sun as the Earth can be.

Samhain

Francine Jackson explains the origin and traditions of our autumn cross-quarter day.

What do you see when you look at the Moon?

Have you ever looked at the Moon, especially during the waxing and waning gibbous phases, and seen some type of shape? Normally, we speak about the Man on the Moon, but there are a lot of other images that people see; all you need is your imagination.
The Art of the Crescent Moon

The Art of the Crescent Moon

A crescent Moon is often drawn in the comics to represent night, but have you noticed that it is often drawn backwards?
University of Rhode Island Planetarium

University of Rhode Island Planetarium

Nestled quietly on the corner of Upper College Road and Engineering Row is a unique little building resembling a silo stepped on by the Jolly Green Giant. Many students who pass by this building have no idea they are looking at one of the most modern planetariums in the area. The University of Rhode Island Planetarium, a part of the campus for decades, has within its doors the ability to travel through the solar system, and beyond.

Spring

Francine Jackson describes the astronomical connection to some of the dates associated with the change of season.

December Long Night Moon

With the winter season beginning this month, the nights are the longest, and the days slowly begin to get colder. As such, we celebrate both the Full Cold Moon and the Full Long Night Moon. And, because we also celebrate the holiday season at this time of year, this can also be called the Moon Before Yule, although this year it takes place afterwards, on December 28th.

November Moon

As the swamps began to freeze, settlers looking to stay warm during the winter would set traps along them, to try to catch the full, soft, fluffy beaver, who were looking to prepare their winters' naps; this is why the Full Moon of November is called the Beaver Moon. Also, because the weather tends to take a turn toward the chilly, and ice begins to form on our windows, this Moon is also referred to as the Full Frosty Moon.

Moon of the Falling Leaves

Traditionally, the October Full Moon is considered the Hunter's Moon, because, after the beautiful Harvest Moon allowed our ancestors to stay out later in the evenings and gather their crops, only the stubble remained, making the cute little woodland creatures easier to kill for the long winter that was to come. They have now eaten their fill, and are plump, ready for the hunt. Fox, rabbit, deer, and others are very easy to find in the harvested land.
Remembering Neil Armstrong

Remembering Neil Armstrong

Skyscrapers members Francine Jackson and Jim Hendrickson offer perspectives on the passing of Neil Armstrong, first man on the Moon.

September Harvest Moon

The Full Moon of August has often been called the Full Sturgeon Moon by tribes around the Great Lakes because these fish were at their most plentiful at this time of year. In 2012 we have a second Full Moon in August, on the 31st. Anytime there is a second Full Moon in one month, it is referred to as a Blue Moon.
July's Apollo Moon

July's Apollo Moon

The full Moon in July is sometimes known as the Buck Moon, Thunder Moon, or more recently the Apollo Moon, in honor of the Apollo 11 Moon landing in July 1969 when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first walked on our planetary neighbor.
Charlestown Approves Town Lighting Ordinance

Charlestown Approves Town Lighting Ordinance

Directory of Frosty Drew Observatory Francine Jackson gives a positive update on the long-running effort to protect dark skies in southern Rhode Island. Again, we’d like to thank the Charlestown Town Council, the Town Planning Committee, and all of you who sent notes in allowing the town lighting ordinance to be passed.

November Constellations & Folklore

After enjoying the overhead rescue of Andromeda by the prince charming Perseus, you might notice that Perseus has his foot on a tiny little clump of stars. At first glance, many people believe they have found the Little Dipper, not realizing that the Little Dipper is a part of our northern circumpolar sky, visible whenever you care to look in that direction; instead, that tiny cuplike group is the Pleiades.

October Constellations & Folklore

Once again, the sign of the new season is beginning to make its way higher and higher in the sky. As October begins, the Great Square, symbol of fall, is getting easier to find in the southeast.
September Constellations & Folklore

September Constellations & Folklore

At this time of year, even though the season of summer ends this month and fall begins, the sky takes a little longer to shift to its next season. The Summer Triangle is still in a beautiful observing position, not really giving the fall constellations a chance to come to full view. So, while we’re waiting, it might be good to turn back to the north and see what is happening there.
August Contellations & Folklore

August Contellations & Folklore

Now that the signpost of summer, the Summer Triangle, is reaching its high position in the sky, it's time to use its stars to find some of the dimmer, but still easy to sight, constellations.
The Circumpolar Constellations

The Circumpolar Constellations

We normally spend a lot of time enjoying the seasonal constellations, the ones that our ancestors depended on as indicators of changes here on Earth, but we often forget that there is a set of star patterns that are always there, waiting for us when we turn around to the north. These are the circumpolar constellations, the ones that, although their positions do change with time, they seem to travel in a circle centered at the sky’s north pole, and are always visible from our northern latitudes.

May Constellations & Folklore

As the sky begins to remind us that a new month is approaching, we are able to see a constellation that is often forgotten, but much more important than we usually let on.

The Constellations of Spring

As the warm weather starts letting us know that seasonal change is really happening, we can look to the skies to remind us that springtime is once again coming to us.
In Like a Lion… Out Like a Lamb

In Like a Lion… Out Like a Lamb

We have many indicators that the month of March marks a change of season. In the sky, we are seeing the constellation marked as the "sign of spring." We've all heard the old adage that the month of March, comes, "in like a lion..." Rising out of the eastern horizon is Leo, the Lion.
February Constellations & Folklore

February Constellations & Folklore

One of the biggest moments for a new astronomy lover is the sudden realization that we have suddenly connected the stars and found the constellations, as has happened for generations all around the world. And, then, to try to remember the figure, we often depend on a story, or a myth, to keep the stars in their proper position. Very often, we depend on the ancient European, notably the Greco-Roman stories, to keep the sky in line.

Book Review: The Sun and the Moon

We all every so often find a book we either love or hate. It might be nice to let each other know about them. For example, I was recently loaned a book by my friend John, from the Providence Athenaeum, who assured me that I’d love it, because it included, among others, man-bats. OK. It also has a very, almost nothing title, The Sun and the Moon.