Meteor Shower to be Seen August 12th……You’re Invited

     By Gary Fugman

     People of all ages are invited to Northeast Nebraska Astronomy Club’s (NENAC’s) Perseid Meteor Shower Party Wednesday, August 12 at dusk at the Cory and Tracie Martin residence 3 miles south of Lyons on Highway 77.  The Perseid Meteor Shower is the result of the Earth moving through its orbit and plowing through debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle.  Every August 12 the Earth is at the same place in its orbit where the path of Comet Swift-Tuttle intersects the Earth’s orbit.

On that date we see as many as 40-80 per hour slow, bright meteors, shooting stars, coming from the northeast burning up in our atmosphere.  The meteor showers vary from year to year, but the Perseids are one of the best known and most reliable showers of the year.

     When you come to this August 12 event, please bring a lawn chair and warm clothes or a blanket.  You will want to be comfortable as you watch for meteors looking northeast as the evening progresses toward midnight.  The Perseids will grow in intensity toward and after midnight as we become the leading edge of the Earth traveling in our orbit.  During the shower you will also be able to take time out to observe Saturn and deep sky objects through two large astronomical telescopes at the Martin’s.            You are invited to bring binoculars and telescopes as well, but they are not needed to enjoy the meteor shower.

     NENAC will hold it’s regular meetings open to the public August 21 at the Lyons Library and August 22 at the Decatur Sears Center at 8pm where Jamie Horter will discuss “Night Photography”.  Maybe you’ll be able to grab some meteor pictures August 12!  For more information on any NENAC presentations, please call Pastor Gary Fugman at 349-1953, and Keep Looking Up!