KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Taylor Observatory and Norton Planetarium will host a special show on Thursday, Aug. 11, to mark the Perseids meteor shower.
The Friends of Taylor Observatory group invites Lake County residents to enjoy the Perseid shower from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at the observatory, 5725 Oak Hills Lane in Kelseyville.
Meteors showers occur when the orbit of the earth intersects the debris from a comet that passed through the solar system in the past. For example, the Perseids meteors are remnants of Comet Swift-Tuttle.
Generations of families have enjoyed the yearly celestial show of Perseid meteors cascading from the sky.
A possible “Jupiter enhancement” may double the number of meteors seen this year. According to NASA astronomers, Jupiter’s gravity has shifted the comet’s debris stream in such a way that collisions with the earth’s atmospheric shell will be increased, producing up to two times the normal 100 per hour rate from dark sky locations.
Enjoy a talk on meteors at 9 p.m., consult with Taylor astronomers, view the planetarium show “Firefall” between 9 and 10 p.m., observe Mars, Saturn the moon and several deep sky objects through the observatory’s telescopes from 10 to 11 p.m., and from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. watch the meteor shower.
Guests should bring warm clothing and a ground cover or lawn chair for observing the meteors. Meteors are best viewed after midnight.
Admission is free but donations to benefit STEM education for Lake County schools are always appreciated.
Visit www.taylorobservatory.org or www.friendsoftaylor.org or for more information call Friends of Taylor Observatory President Bill Haddon at 415-209-3084.
Taylor Observatory to host special Perseids meteor shower show Aug. 11
- Lake County News reports
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