This page contains the material submitted to the local paper - The Davis Enterprise - for Explorit Science Center's news column published in that paper on Fridays.

Article for: The Davis Enterprise
Date: August 8, 2003
Author: Mackenzie Tysell
Contact: Tom Wickersham

METEOR SHOWER VIEWING ON TUESDAY NIGHT

Why not see a great show under the stars next Tuesday evening? No, it's not Shakespeare in the park, but the annual Perseids meteor shower that will be on center stage.

Don't worry. There will still be plenty of drama and excitement to entertain you at this free program hosted by Explorit Science Center's Astronomy Club. For instance, just consider how this meteor event got its name. The Perseids are so called because the meteor shower appears brightest in the constellation Perseus, also known as the hero.

According to Greek legend, Perseus killed the gorgon Medusa. The gorgons, as stated by Bulfinch's mythology, were "monstrous females with huge teeth like those of swine, brazen claws, and snaky hair." It was said, if any mortal saw Medusa's face, he would be instantly turned to stone. After completing the deadly deed the gods honored Perseus with his own image in the stars.

In the constellation, Perseus has his sword in one hand and the head of Medusa in the other. The eye of Medusa is the star Algol. It is really two stars that orbit one another, which gives Algol its fiendish appearance. Normally as bright as the North Star, every two and a half days Algol becomes dimmer for about eight hours as the dimmer of the pair passes in front of the brighter one.

Imagining this legend playing out in the heavens, especially under a shower of meteors, is guaranteed to be a good show. Perhaps you can envision the meteors emerging from Perseus as the angry serpents of Medusa's head squirming out of his hand.

The show starts at 8:30 p.m. at Fairfield Elementary and goes until midnight. To remain comfortable throughout the viewing, bring warm clothes, a reclining lawn chair or something else to protect you from dew, and bug repellent. If you bring a warm drink, be sure it is nonalcoholic. (Please note that the school's restrooms will not be available.)

Binoculars can be fun, but your best chance to view meteors comes when you can see as much sky as possible. Flashlights should be dimmed with a paper bag or red filter to keep the viewing area as dark as possible.

With the aid of telescopes, members of the club will allow visitors to observe several celestial objects, including the moon and Mars.

To get to Fairfield Elementary, travel on Russell Boulevard (Road 32) for four miles beyond Highway 113. When you reach Road 96, look for the school crossing sign. The school sits on the corner to the right. There is a big grassy area for chairs and blankets and an asphalt area on which to steady telescopes.

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Explorit Science Center is at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is "Count on It: Numbers in Nature," which continues through Sept. 27. Public hours are Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.explorit.org or call Explorit at (530) 756-0191.