Meteor Watch Day

Meteor Watch Day, a time to look to the skies for meteor showers. Will you be lucky enough to see meteors streaking across the night sky? We sure hope so.

Meteors are space dust and ice that enter the earth's atmosphere. Meteors can be as small as specks of dust. As they enter the atmosphere at high speeds, they burn up, producing light as they streak across the night sky. Sometimes, you see them streak across the sky and disappear at the horizon. Other times, they end suddenly, burning out right before your eyes. 

  

Amana Meteor displayed in Iowa Hall

If you are not able to see a meteor on Saturday, stop by the museum and check out our meteorite on display. This meteorite is about 4.5 billion years old! It fell near Amana in 1865. And remember to keep an eye out for upcoming meteors!

Upcoming Meteors to watch:

v  July 28 and 29, 2012 - Delta Aquarids

v  August 12 and 13, 2012 - Perseids

v  October 7, 2012 - Draconids

v  October 21, 2012, before dawn. - Orionids

v  November 4/5, 2012, late night November 4 until dawn November 5 - South Taurid

v  November 11/12, 2012, late night November 11 until dawn November 12 - North Taurids

v  November 16/17, 2012, late night November 16 until dawn November 17 - Leonids

v  December 13/14, 2012, late night December 13 until dawn December 14 - Geminids

Tips for watching meteorites:

v  Find a very dark place.

v  Find a location with open sky. A gap in the trees is not going to work; try a hilltop with a clear 360 view.

v  Get comfortable! The best way to watch meteorites is laying on your back look up, so bring plenty of blankets along.

v  Turn off all lights, if possible.

v  Don’t concentrate on one section of the sky. Meteorites come from all directions.

-Written by Assistant Education Coordinator Ashlee Gloede

Meteorite Display in Trowbridge Hall