CHARLESTOWN, RI — The heavens are aligning for the Perseids Meteor Shower peak tonight and tomorrow night, though the weather isn’t quite cooperating with partly cloudy skies, yet Frosty Drew Observatory is undeterred.
The Frosty Drew Observatory inside Ninigret Park in Charlestown is the best spot in the state for stargazing with the least light pollution, and they’re hosting a two-night Perseid watch you can sign up for.
If you’re not going to attend an organized event, Interested meteor watchers should focus their viewing between midnight and dawn, and get as far away from city and town lights as possible.
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. 24. 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.
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 [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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