There is very little to help us understand the meaning of the word ‘wonder’ other than gazing at the night sky. Ever since I was a teenager attempting to woo the fairer sex, I’ve been in love with the visions of the night sky. Whether it is seeing a cloudless night from a vantage in the country far from the lights of civilization or through the thin air of a mountain top after a day long hike, I am amazed at the majesty of the stars and their infinite number. I enjoy getting lost in the tales of those we find permanently in the constellations of the stars.
I recently talked my students’ families into staying up to see the Lunar eclipse, and I can tell you it was amazing. If you didn’t see it, boy did you miss out. Well, we have another amazing event coming up. This time should be just as spectacular. Friday night from about 1 am until about 3 am, Earth will be traveling through the tail of a little known comet. The dust trail left by the comet should create quite the meteor shower. For those of you wishing on falling stars, you better bring your dream journal because we may see as many as 50 to 100 meteors an hour. They are expected to be slow, bright, and quite spectacular.
The best way to view the show will be from a reclined position, i.e., a blanket or reclining lawn chair, with a good view of as much of the Northern Sky as possible.
For those of you near Aurora, Grand Island, and Central City, or those willing to drive to Marquette, the Edgerton Explorit Center in Aurora in conjunction with Prairie Plains Resource Institute is offering a Meteor Watch Event from 11:00 pm Friday, May 23rd to 3:00 am Saturday May 24th. You can find more information on the Edgerton Explorit Center facebook page.
If you aren’t able to join the folks west of Marquette, you can join NASA for a live chat and ustream. Information on the live chat and more information on the meteor shower can be found on the NASA site.