July 2016

Stop and gaze at the stars.

It’s the best time of the year to look up for the chance to catch a falling star. August’s Perseid Meteor Shower is always spectacular, but this year we’re in for a real treat. During the peak of the event (August 11th and 12th), NASA predicts that 200 shooting stars will be visible per hour. Even if it’s cloudy at the peak of activity, you can catch a glimpse of streaming space dust pretty much any night between July 17^th and August 24^th.

What’s a Perseid, anyway?

With all the talk of Perseids this time of year, you might get the impression that it’s just another word for shooting star.  That descriptor, it turns out, is rather specific. The prolific meteors that make up this shower are the result of the Earth passing through the tail of the Comet Swift-Tuttle. The streams of light appear to originate at a common point (called the radiant) in the Perseus constellation. The shooting stars emitted at this point are called Perseids, or “sons of Perseus.”

How to See the Stars

At Erie Station Village, we can enjoy a better stargazing view than many other locations in the city. The more light pollution in an area, the harder it will be to see the Perseids. For the very best view, you might want to go camping in a rural area. Wherever you go to stare at the sky, face Northeast and get comfortable; your eyes need almost an hour to adjust. Ditch the binoculars and smartphones — even the apps that map the sky. The light from your device will mess up your view.