Note: FREE Registration is required here https://tinyurl.com/yr76ehvf
Join the members of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society at the Garden of the Gods on Saturday August 12th from 9pm to midnight, for a meteor watch party of the Perseids and stunning views of our Colorado night skies!
The Perseid Meteor Shower creates a fantastic opportunity to view meteors (aka Shooting Stars)! Bring out the whole family with chairs, blankets & pillows, and some snacks to sit comfortably with us and watch the skies and enjoy the show!
The Perseid meteor shower is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862. The Perseids are famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. The shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24. It peaks this year on the night of August 12 and the morning of August 13. The crescent moon should not be too much of a problem this year. Skies should still be dark enough for a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Perseus, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
Our CSASTRO members will be bringing out our telescopes for free public viewing of planets, stars and nebula. Listen to a laser guided presentation about the night sky above us and hear some of the stories that cultures have told about the stars for thousands of years.
Please see the images below for parking instructions. Telescopes and seating areas will be set up at the Visitor Center Parking lot. Parking will be available at the overflow parking lot across the street from the visitor center. There is a 5 to 8 minute walk from the parking lot to the visitor center. There will be red lights all along the trail to lead you to the visitor center and preserve your night vision! Handicap parking available at the Visitor Center.
NOTES for visitors:
• Entry is free, but please register as space is limited. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/yr76ehvf
• The visitor center will be open all night with restrooms and snack bar available.
• This is a stargazing event, so please refrain from bringing any white-light lanterns or flashlights as they will ruin your dark-adapted night vision and those around you. Red lights are always welcome! Red glow-sticks will be available for purchase.
• As views of the stars are dependent upon weather conditions, please watch this post and our Facebook or Instagram postings for updates, changes or cancellations due to weather.
• The weather can be much colder at night when you’re stargazing and not moving very much! We recommend dressing for at least 20 degrees colder than what the nightly low temperature forecast predicts.
• While we love pets, please do not bring any animals with you. Service dogs are allowed.
This event is free and open to the public.
