Meteor Shower Party

PerseidsFriday - Sunday 14 - 16 August 2009

Star Party Viewings at Sacred Rocks Reserve's 300-foot Stargazer Plateau

2 nights for the price of 1!

Friday 14 August 2009

Saturday 15 August 2009

Sunday 16 August 2009

Guests are welcome to bring telescopes, lawn chairs, chaise lounges (for easy viewing) and sleeping bags and stay out on the Plateau as late as they wish.

Perseid 2009 map

"Serious meteor hunters should plan to start their watch around 9:00 p.m. on Monday evening the 11th. This is the time to look for Perseid Earthgrazers -- meteors that approach from the horizon and skim the atmosphere overhead like a stone skipping across the surface of a pond. 'Earthgrazers are long, slow and colorful; they are among the most beautiful of meteors,' says Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center. He cautions that an hour of watching may net only a few of these at most, but seeing even one can make the whole night worthwhile. The peak of this year’s meteor shower is predicted to be during the dark pre-dawn hours of Tuesday morning, August 12. 'For maximum effect, get away from city lights,' Cooke advises." (Philosophy of Science Portal)

Tips for Watching a Meteor Shower

  1. Be prepared to spend a few hours sitting outside; bring beverages and something warm to wear if it gets chilly. 
  2. Meteor showers can be seen as soon as it gets dark, but optimal viewing begins about 11:00 PM.
  3. You will want to go someplace far away from large cities, because light pollution makes it impossible to see the night sky clearly.
  4. Give your eyes 20 minutes to adjust to the dark before gazing towards the corner of the sky where the meteor shower is expected to appear.
  5. You may want to use binoculars, but they are not necessary.
  6. While you're outdoors, you may also want to look for constellations, stars, or planets using a star locator or guide book.