Comments on: Meteor shower viewing for the urbanite

Question: Meteor shower viewing for the urbanite

CRM114 — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 10:52:56 -0800

The Perseid meteor shower will be in full swing Saturday night. Where should New Yorkers go to enjoy it?

My lady friend and I have neither an automobile nor a great desire to leave the five boroughs. Are there any NYC astronomers amongst the MeFi population who can advise on a good, non-sketchy location for the viewing of Saturday night's meteor show?

By: solid-one-love

solid-one-love — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 11:15:14 -0800

There was a discussion about watching the shower in Seattle the other day. You'll have the same problem, regardles of where you go: the moon is waxing gibbous and will produce more light pollution than any ground-based light. This light pollution will be inescapable, unfortunately.

By: The Bellman

The Bellman — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 11:46:26 -0800

Not inescapable, actually. According to NASA viewing should be okay between about 8:30 pm and 10:00 pm when the moon rises. So I second the question.

By: incomple

incomple — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:57:01 -0800

My completely inexperienced, probably useless hunch would be taking the B train out to Brighton Beach, or if it's more convenient, perhaps the N/Q to Coney Island. Whenever I go to Coney Island at night I'm always struck by how serene and clear the sky is after the festivities calm down.

But again, IANAA so if it turns out to be a wasted swipe, I apologize.

By: mykescipark

mykescipark — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:05:34 -0800

The Perseid showers sound amazing, too. If you can't see it, at least stream it.

By: mykescipark

mykescipark — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:51:23 -0800

(An audio recording of the last Perseid stream, incidentally, is here.)

By: CRM114

CRM114 — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 11:06:44 -0800

I think we'll be taking incomple's advice and heading out to Brooklyn. I'll report back in this thread. Thanks for the thoughts, all.

By: CRM114

CRM114 — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 07:05:01 -0800

Anticlimax: We didn't actually end up going. Next year, perhaps.