Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Fire Up The Fluxtimator, Scotty!

The Eye on the Sky Star Gazing Party is set for 9 o’clock Wednesday night on VPR. The rain date is Thursday, but as of this writing it looks like clear skies for Wednesday.

Mark Breen, Director of the Planetarium at the Fairbanks Museum, will guide you across the night sky, identifying stars, planets and constellations. Together with your host Mitch Wertlieb, you’ll learn how to orient yourself to the sky, some astronomical lore, and how to catch the best view of meteor showers.

If you’re in a dark, rural area, just turn off the lights and go out on your deck or back yard. If you’re in brightly lit city, scope out a location in a nearby community with fewer city lights.

The Perseid Meteor Shower peaks this week. To predict the frequency of meteors you might see in your area, download NASA’s Fluxtimator.

You’ll find links to an interactive star chart, photos of the Perseids, and more star gazing resources at the Fairbanks Museum Night Sky site.

The Eye on the Sky Star Gazing Party is a collaboration of VPR and the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, which is now offering planetarium shows every day.

You can email your questions for Mark ahead of time to community@vpr.net. Or call in during the program 1-800-639-2211.

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