The Ursids is a minor meteor shower producing about 5-10 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tuttle, which was first discovered in 1790. The shower runs annually from December 17-25. It peaks this year on the the night of the 21st and morning of the 22nd. This year the glare from the full moon will hide all but the brightest meteors. If you are extremely patient, you might still be able to catch a few good ones. Best viewing will be just after midnight from a dark location far away from city lights. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Ursa Minor, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
Although the Clear Sky Chart shows only 20 to 40% cloud cover[1], the ClearOutside site predicts over 80% of the sky obscured by clouds.[2] WeatherUnderground says 39 to 70%[3] and AccuWeather says ~90% cloud cover.[4] Other paid weather-guessers predict partly or mostly cloudy and most give a five to fifteen percent chance of measurable precipitation. Not conditions suitable for star gazing.
Clear skies, dang it! Please?
Tree Greenwood
Crockett Park Site Coordinator
1 – http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/CrckttPrkVAkey.html
2 – https://clearoutside.com/forecast/38.60/-77.73?view=midday
3 – https://www.wunderground.com/hourly/us/va/midland/date/2019-04-06/22728
4 – https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/midland-va/22728/hourly-weather-forecast/2111280?hour=40
Please read the C.M. Crockett Page for park details.
The June Public Night at C. M. Crockett Park is canceled due to cloud cover. ClearSkyChart predicts only 40 to 80 percent of the sky obscured by clouds but all of the other weather forecasts predict 90% or more coverage. Most also forecast a significant chance of precipitation. Not a suitable evening for stargazing.
Hope for better conditions to come. Soon, please.
R J ‘Tree’ Greenwood
Site Coordinator
Please read the C.M. Crockett Page for park details.
The July Public Night at C. M. Crockett Park is canceled due to the threat of thunderstorms and cloud cover.
Hope for better conditions on 3 August. Soon, please.
R J ‘Tree’ Greenwood
Crockett Park Site Coordinator
Please read the C.M. Crockett Page for park details.
Public Night at C M Crockett Park for 3 August 2019 is CANCELED.
Weather forecasts are inconsistent but none are good. Cloud cover predictions vary from 26% covered to 90%. Precipitation chance forecasts range from zero to 43%. All agree humidity will be an issue with dew points just 1 to 3 degrees below air temperature. We don’t want to disappoint members of the public or risk optics and electronic mounts being caught in a stray shower or thunderstorm. Tough call this time.
Please read the C.M. Crockett Page for park details.