Community Chat

[Marp2]

Stargazers may see some celestial fireworks this Memorial Day weekend thanks to a new meteor shower from a comet that, according to some forecasts, has the potential to trigger a spectacular meteor storm late tonight and early Saturday (May 23 and 24). If bad weather spoils your view, you can watch it live online.

If rain or clouds spoil your stargazing view during the new shower, called the Camelopardalid meteor shower, there are webcasts tonight streaming live views of the celestial event. http://www.space.com/25987-meteor-shower-meteor-storm-webcasts-tonight.html

The best time to watch for meteors will be between 2 and 4 a.m. E.T. on May 24, according to NASA.

Look North
The meteors are predicted to radiate from the Camelopardalis constellation, which is near the North Star (because of this, the meteor shower has been named the “Camelopardalids”). So check your compass and face north to see where the action will start.

Watch Online
If you can’t get to a good viewing spot, you can watch the shower onscreen. NASA is hosting a live chat and video stream Friday at 11 p.m. E.T. http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/watchtheskies/may-camelopardalids.html and Slooh will be live-streaming the event on YouTube starting at the same time http://events.slooh.com/

[MickD]

Marp ~ Thanks for the reminder. We have a telescope, but live 3 miles by the ocean....so possible cloud cover...hoping there won't be... I think DS would love to view it!

[Marp2]

East of where I am is supposed to be clear, not so sure about here but I'll check. A telescope is not necessary or recommended. The following is from one of the articles on viewing:

Don’t Use a Telescope
You might be tempted to use a telescope to get a closer look, but don’t depend on one. “Meteors zip across the whole sky, and you’ll miss them if you’re hunched over a telescope eyepiece.”

ETA: Hope we both have clear skies.

[MickD]

Marp ~ Oh, okay...less for me to set up!! Thanks again!

[JustJules]

I love that stuff, but won't be able to watch it because we have rain, storms and cloudy skies forecast all weekend. I love getting out on a clear night and watching the stars, especially when there is a meteor shower predicted. Hope all of you that can view it enjoy!

[Melania]

Thanks, Marp!! It might be a nice night for some gazing.

[madzonie]

I've been looking forward to this, but we may have a cloud cover. :-(

[cater]

Thank you Marp for telling everyone about this event tonight. Just got the dining room window cleaned with invisible glass cleaner so if it is clear here I will be able to see it. heaven knows around here we watch the night sky all the time. Almost every night when the International Space Station flies over we watch it also. I have everyone watching for it just always have to remember what ever time they say it will be visible you better be looking at the sky at the exact minute or you will miss seeing it. Looking forward to seeing this tonight.

[Marp2]

Cater,

More often than not the ISS passes overhead during the early morning hours so I rarely get to see it. I'm really hoping the skies are clear tonight and that I can stay awake. If so it will be a treat to see both the ISS and the meteors if I can tell them apart.

Anyone interested in knowing when the ISS will pass over your locations check out http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/ but heed Cater's warning about not being late. Most sightings last less than a minute.

[cater]

Just got the window facing north clean so I will be sitting there hoping it is not cloudy. It is cloudy here right now but the Pittsburgh weather guys said by that time the sky should be clear.