CHARLESTOWN, RI — The heavens are aligning for the Perseids Meteor Shower peak tonight and tomorrow night, and while Frosty Drew Observatory won’t open for viewing, the professional stargazers have some tips for the early morning hours.
During good weather and clear skies, this usually means a public viewing event at the observatory, but the clouds and a bright, gibbous moon have caused the astronomers running those events to abstain for this year’s Perseids Meteor Shower. The good news, though, is that the usual advice to avoid light pollution doesn’t apply.
“If deciding to try for a view you will need to find a spot that will hide the Moon from your view. Lay on your back and look to the zenith (top of the sky) with your feet orientated towards the SW. You will not need to find a dark location as the bright Moon will obscure the sky just as much as urban lighting,”
Interested meteor watchers should focus their viewing between midnight and dawn, and NASA advises that finding a spot with less light pollution is still a good idea. Also, consider the weather forecast, which is free of rain but does predict clouds, according to the National Weather Service. It’ll be partly cloudy tonight, and mostly cloudy tomorrow.
The Perseids Meteor Shower, billed as the best summertime night sky event, provides “shooting stars” per hour to stalwart stargazers as Earth hurtles through the debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle each August.
Chances of seeing meteors as Earth passes the comet’s path started July 14, and should remain visible to lucky night owls and early risers till Aug. 23. The effort to stay up late or rise early is often worth it, as the Perseids are known for plentiful (50-100 per hour) very fast and bright meteors, often leaving long “wakes” of light and color behind them as they streak through Earth’s atmosphere.
Where, When, to Watch the Perseids
Interested meteor watchers should focus their viewing between midnight and dawn, and get as far away from city and town lights as possible. Ninigret Park, home to the Frosty Drew Observatory, (the best spot in the state for stargazing with the least light pollution within the borders), is considered the best spot for stargazing.
Where to view:
- Frosty Drew Observatory 61 Park Ln, Charlestown, RI (There is no official viewing scheduled for Saturday or Sunday night.)
- Any spot far from city/town lights. The farther you get from town, the better your view will be.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
This is a test
