|
August 2, 2005
FOUR OHIO STATE PARKS TO HOST EVENTS TO VIEW PERSEID METEOR SHOWER
 COLUMBUS, OH - See Mother Nature’s fireworks - the Perseid meteor shower - from four Ohio State Parks that are hosting events to coincide with peak viewing August 11-13.
Astronomers predict this year's best meteor viewing will be between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Friday, August 12, although excellent displays should be visible in the pre-dawn hours of August 11 and 13. The Perseid meteor shower appears each year in mid-August as the earth passes through debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle.
Perseid meteors are some of the brightest that appear each year, with colorful, long-lasting trails that light up the late night sky. Stargazers should expect to see about eight meteors per hour.
Bring a lawn chair and blanket and enjoy the show at the following state parks:
- Star Seekers Shower Search, Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County - 8 p.m. on Friday, August 12 at the dining lodge. Call 740-385-6841 for information.
- Stargazing at the Beach, Kiser Lake State Park in Champaign County - Arrive by dusk on Friday, August 12 at the beach. Meet with amateur astronomer Dick Pierce and learn about the wonders of our night skies. Call 937-362-3822 for information.
- Meteor Shower Campout, Caesar Creek State Park in Warren County - 7 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, August 13 at the public beach. Programs include games, crafts, reading starmaps and viewing planets through telescopes and free camping on the north grass lawn. Call 513-897-2437 for information.
- Bonfire on the Beach, Kelleys Island State Park in Erie County - 6:30 p.m. Saturday, August 13. Enjoy storytelling, skits and children’s programs. Call 419-746-2546 for information.
|