By Carmen Anita DeLeon

Even though the fireworks displays of Independence Day are a month behind us, the night sky is soon to be lit once again with streaks of light. Earth is moving through the ejected stream of debris from the comet “Swift-Tuttle.” August is the time for prime viewing of the annual Perseids Meteor Shower.

The shower is named for a constellation, Perseus the Greek hero. Meteors will be visible in any part of the sky, but all of their tails will point toward Perseus in the northeast. The flashes that we see during a meteor shower, often misnamed “shooting stars,” are actually a trail of icy and rocky dust that is ignited by the friction of Earth’s atmosphere. Annual Perseid meteors can be seen as early as mid-July, but activity this year peaks on Tuesday and Wednesday with a local event to match.

The Davis Astronomy Club, sponsored by Explorit Science Center, is hosting a free Meteor Shower Viewing Party from 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesday. This stellar party will be at Fairfield Elementary School, 26960 County Road 96. It’s west of Davis at Russell Boulevard (Road 32) and County Road 96. Restrooms will not be available at the school.

For the most comfortable meteor shower viewing experience, guests should bring blankets or reclining lawn chair. Jackets or layered clothing are also recommended, as nights can be chilly. Your most valuable tools for meteor shower viewing, of course, are your eyes. Remember to use flashlight filters (a brown paper bag pulled over the light will work) and try to limit moon gazing time to preserve night vision. This will help you to catch even the faintest Perseids in the sky.

Those interested in a clean form of transportation to the viewing party are invited to join Davis Bicycles, a bicycle advocacy group, for a nighttime ride to Fairfield Elementary. Cyclists will meet between 7:45 and 8 p.m. in the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation parking lot, located at the northwest corner of Russell Blvd and Arthur Street. As groups assemble, they will depart for a leisurely 4-mile ride. Participants will receive commemorative “spoke cards” to remember their ride. For more information about Davis Bicycles, please visit http://www.davisbicycles.org.

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Artists aren’t the only ones practicing origami these days. Scientists and engineers use the ancient art of paper-folding to solve challenges -- including how to design a car airbag that folds flat.

On Saturday (Aug. 8), Explorit visitors can learn about origami from Andrew Hudson, an origami artist and student at American River College. This “Family Exploration” program is titled "In the Fold: Origami Meets Math and Science."

The event will run from 1-4 p.m. at Explorit’s main site, 2801 2nd St. Drop in anytime; it’s free with paid admission.

With Hudson’s help, visitors can make an origami piece to take home. Meanwhile, he’ll discuss origami and its intersection with math and science. View his portfolio at www.flickr.com/photos/ahudson/collections.

Family Explorations are sponsored by the Yocha-De-He Community Fund

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Explorit Science Center is at 2801 Second St., Davis. Public hours: 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission is $4 general, free for ages 3 and under. It’s free for everyone on the fourth Friday of each month. For more information: (530) 756-0191 or www.explorit.org