see http://cantonbecker.com/retrograde for details…
The Perseids 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 waning gibbous moon will block out many of the fainter meteors this year, but the Perseids are so bright and numerous that it should still be 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 meetings on the second Sunday of the Month, The events are normally held evening at 7:00 pm in Research Hall Room 163 on the campus of George Mason University.
Our meetings web page, has directions and additional details.
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday evenings!
Venus will be at its “greatest eastern elongation”. This is a great time to view Venus since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the enormously bright thing in the western sky after sunset. Look at it with a telescope, and you’ll see that Venus appears to have *phases*, just like the moon!
Please read the C.M. Crockett Page for park details.
If you live anywhere in North America, don’t you dare schedule anything else for this day (excepting weddings, reunions, and vacations.)
THIS IS IT. A total eclipse of the sun that runs smack through the middle of the USA. Plan a car trip, bus ride, or plane trip to the narrow strip of Earth stretching from Salem, OR through to Nashville, TN in which the sun will *completely disappear* for two minutes. (Not many large cities are in the path of the totality, so make your reservations early if you want to observe it from the comfort of civilization.)
If you’ve already got plans, the next total eclipse passing through the USA is on April 8, 2024…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_August_21,_2017
See front page of NOVAC Site for changes to event.
More information about Great Meadow including directions and parking visit the Great Meadow Site page.