D&R Greenway Land Trust is set to host its third annual Perseid Meteor Shower Watch party at the St. Michaels Farm Preserve barn complex in Hopewell, on Friday, August 14, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Volunteers from the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton will be on hand with telescopes for a brief talk about the night sky and meteor watching assistance. The Perseid meteor shower occurs every year in mid-July and early August when the Earth passes through the stream of debris called the Perseid Cloud, consisting of particles ejected by the comet Swift-Tuttle.
The event is free. R.S.V.P. to jwatson@drgreenway.org with subject line “Perseids”, including e-mail address or phone number for contact in case of cancellation for bad weather or poor viewing conditions.
Here’s how to prepare for the Perseid Meteor Shower Watch: Please try to arrive at or before 10 p.m. so there will not be a constant stream of headlights coming into the site, interfering with night vision. Pack as you would for watching fireworks: Bring a lounge chair, blanket or warm clothing, water, juice, snacks and bug spray. Flashlights should have red lenses. If you don’t have a red lens, red filters will be provided to place over your flashlight lens; please see Jay Watson on arrival. Bring binoculars or a telescope, if you have, to view other objects in the sky. Optics are not required for meteor watching.
For more information, visit drgreenway.org.
