NASA’s Astronomy and Night Sky Summer Series has saved the best for last as it closes out the three-part series by offering a breathtaking view of the Perseid Meteor Shower on Assateague Island on Saturday, Aug. 12.
(Photo credit: Krystina Carpenter)
Like the two previous events, participants will have the chance to use some of Delmarva Space Sciences Foundation’s telescopes to take a closer look at Saturn, Jupiter, Mars and our moon. However, at this installment, attendees will also get the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with a meteor shower.
“The two previous Astronomy Nights were very popular among locals and tourists alike, drawing in nearly 2,000 people!” says Kim Check, manager of the NASA Wallops Visitor Center. “I would love to see an even bigger turnout for the Perseid Meteor Shower viewing.”
The event is free and open to the public and will begin with an Astronomy 101 presentation at 7:30 p.m. at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Herbert H. Bateman Education Center and end with stargazing on the north end of beach parking lot one from 8:45-9:45 p.m.
(Photo credit: Krystina Carpenter)
This series is a collaboration between Assateague Island National Seashore, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Delmarva Space Sciences Foundation, and the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center. The NASA Visitor Center, located on Va. Rt. 175, about six miles from U.S. Rt. 13 and five miles from Chincoteague, is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..
For more information about the Astronomy and Night Sky Summer Series or the Visitor Center, call (757) 824-1344.
