Mammoth Cave to host Star Party for Perseids Meteor Shower

MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky.– Mammoth Cave National Park is inviting the public to join its Star Party during the Perseids Meteor Shower.

The event is set for Monday, Aug. 12 from 7 to 10 p.m. CDT.

Every August, the park says the Perseids Meteor Shower lights up the sky with “shooting stars,” which are actually meteors with up to 100 visible per hour in past displays.

The park says park rangers and volunteers will present the evening program about the night sky, providing telescopes to view the first quarter moon and deep sky objects and distribute Junior Rangers Night Explorer books while watching meteors.

According to the park, the events begin at the outdoor amphitheater near the Camp Store.

The discussion will also cover the importance of the night sky environment to the surrounding ecosystem of plants, animals and humans.  It will also discuss dangers of light pollution.

As the sun sets, the group will move to the bus loop of the visitor center where several telescopes will be set up for night sky viewing. Park rangers and volunteers from Western Kentucky University’s Hilltopper Astronomy Club will be there to answer questions and help identify celestial objects.

Local astronomers are welcome to bring their own telescopes to place them in the bus loop.

Visitors also may bring their own blankets or chairs for the viewing.

To learn more, click here.