July 16, 2018
Contact: Todd Stevenson, 307-836-2334

Last year, Guernsey State Park proved to be one of the more popular places to view the
2017 Solar Eclipse, this year enjoy the Guernsey Perseid Watch, this year’s best meteor shower
of the year, Aug. 10-12 at Yurts 1 & 2.

The Perseids are created when earth passes through the dust and debris created by the
Comet Swift-Tuttle, the largest object to regularly pass by earth. The comet has a nucleus
approximately 16 miles wide. This year, according to NASA, people should be able to see
around 60-70 meteors per hour.

The weekend events begin August 10 with a 4 p.m. museum talk focusing on meteor
observing. A star watch party with telescopes will begin at approximately 8:45 p.m. with Venus,
Jupiter, Saturn and Mars in full view. The night’s star watch will provide an emphasis on
planets, deep sky objects and constellation identification. Participants can expect to return to
their campsites around 10:30-11 p.m.

Events on August 11 will be much the same as the night before with a 4 p.m. museum
talk (the same presentation) and a star watch beginning at 8:45, also emphasizing plants, deep
sky objects and constellation identification. However, an all-night viewing will be held. Visitors
are encouraged to bring cots, sleeping bags, flashlights and food if they plan to participate.
On August 12, a Perseid Meteor Watch will take place. Star Party participants will use
telescopes until approximately 10:30 p.m. The meteor watch begin around 11 p.m. Visitor are
encouraged to observe until dawn, but participants may leave when they wish. The number of
meteors seen increases significantly after midnight.

The night programs are led by Gary A. Becker and Peter K. Detterline, both professors of
Astronomy at Moravian College and Kutztown University, respectively. Both are members of
the Mars Desert Research Station.

Like with the solar eclipse, the lack of light population at Guernsey State Park makes it a
prime area to view the Perseids.

For more information, please call Guernsey State Park at 307-836-2334.

   
Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails
A Division of Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources
2301 Central Avenue, 4th Floor, Cheyenne, WY 82002
307-777-6323, www.wyoparks.org