Beach hours extended August 11 for meteor viewing
Evanston residents will have a special opportunity to view the annual Perseid Meteor Shower of shooting stars at Lighthouse Beach on the evening of August 11, as well as learn about meteor watching and meteorites at a free talk on August 9.
The City of Evanston Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept., in partnership with the Illinois Science Council, is extending access hours at Lighthouse Beach until midnight on Saturday, August 11 so people can use the lakefront to look for shooting stars. Participants need to remain on the beach. The City of Chicago is extending access hours at Montrose Street Beach and 12th Street Beach until midnight on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12.
Best viewing of this annual astronomical event is in the night sky in mid-August. In 2012, the Perseids’ peak activity takes place August 11-13 in the evenings through pre-dawn hours. While stargazing in Chicagoland is hampered by light pollution, our position west of the lake is fortunate. Ideal night sky viewing, aside from driving away from the City, is along the lakefront, facing northeast away from city lights and toward rising stars. The moon phase this year – a late-rising waning crescent – also helps. It will not be too bright to interfere with viewing on that date, provided the sky is clear of clouds.
Illinois Science Council will offer a free educational talk about meteor watching and meteorites at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 9, 2012, at the Levy Senior Center in Evanston. Dr. Laura Trouille, astronomer from Northwestern University’s Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astronomy (CIERA) and the Department of Physics and Astronomy, will provide a lively talk on the Perseid meteor shower and, more generally, night-sky objects of interest. James Holstein of the Field Museum Department of Geology will discuss meteorites that come through the atmosphere and fall to earth and will bring samples people can view.
The Perseid Meteor Shower phenomenon occurs when the earth’s orbit passes through the cloud of particles ejected from the comet Swift-Tuttle as it travels on its 130-year orbit. The Perseids are so-called because the point from which they appear (to come) in the sky, called the radiant, lies in the constellation Perseus. This display of “shooting stars” is visible in the night sky for several weeks each year, with peak activity between August 9 and 14. They can be seen all across the sky, but because of the Swift-Tuttle's orbit path, Perseids are primarily visible in the northern hemisphere.
Illinois Science Council ("ISC") is an independent, volunteer-driven 501c3 organization that engages, educates, and entertains the adult public about science and technology in our everyday lives. It showcases the scientists and the research of Chicago-area institutions and companies that make Chicago our country’s true "City of Science."
Public Talk:
Thursday, August 9, 2012, 7:30 – 9:00pm
Presentation with astronomer and geologist with Q&A
Levy Senior Center
300 Dodge Avenue, Evanston
Phone: 847-448-8250
Event is free and open to all ages.
To ensure a seat, reserve space online at www.Meteors.EventBrite.com
Meteor Viewing:
Saturday, August 11, 2012. 9:00pm – 12:00 midnight
Lighthouse Beach Park
2611 Sheridan Rd. (Central St. at Sheridan Rd.), Evanston
Saturday, August 11, 2012, 9:00pm – 12:00 midnight
12th Street Beach (1200 South), Chicago
Montrose Beach, (4400 North), Chicago
Sunday, August 12, 2012, 9:00pm – 12:00 midnight
12th Street Beach (1200 South), Chicago
Montrose Beach, (4400 North), Chicago
By Martha Logan