The North Fork’s wide-open vistas will make great spots to catch the Perseids Meteor Shower, which peaks around 3 a.m. Friday, Aug. 12.
“Any time after midnight is going to be good.” said Bill Bogardus, past president of The Custer Institute in Southold and a semi-retired astronomy and physics educator. “The peak activity is pretty special. That’s when the earth turns so the night sky is in the same direction as the meteors we are colliding with.”
Viewers don’t need a telescope to take in the celestial show, one of the biggest annual meteor showers.
“Go find an open chunk of sky and if you just stare at one chunk for two or three minutes, you are very likely to see something, especially to the east,” Bogardus said.
Expect optimal viewing conditions this year, Bogardus added, as the moon is in the crescent phase and will set early.
The Custer Institute and Observatory, located on Main Bayview Road, won’t host any special events for the meteor shower, but members are allowed to view the sky from its lawn.
If you have a stargazing permit, you can also watch the meteor shower at Orient Beach State Park and Wildwood State Park in Wading River. Some New York State parks, however, will stay open late to allow for public viewing.
Up-island parks that will be open include Jones Beach Park West End II and Gov. Alfred Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park Field 3. On the South Fork, Montauk Point State Park Upper Lot will be open. There will be no charge Thursday night at those parks and the normal stargazing permit won’t be required. Spectators, however, must remain near their vehicles.
Photo credit: The above shot was taken of the Geminids Meteor Shower, which peaks in early December, by local photographer Jon Schusteritsch. You can see more of his work here.
