UA News

Sky watchers might see one or more 'shooting stars' every minute at the science center atop Mount Lemmon on Aug. 11 and 12.

Skywatchers will be treated to late summer fireworks next week when Earth sweeps through debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle, creating the Perseid meteor shower.

The University of Arizona SkyCenter – a dark sky site operated by Steward Observatory at the 9,157-foot alpine summit of Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson – will host a special Perseids meteor shower public program during two Summer SkyNights on Aug. 11 and 12.

It might be possible to see one or more "shooting stars" every minute from the Mount Lemmon summit, said astronomer Adam Block, who hosts the SkyCenter's public observing programs.

"The real excitement sometimes happens in the early evening when meteors enter the Earth's atmosphere at oblique angles and can leave long, glowing trains against the starry sky," Block said. "Although rare, a single one of these can make for a memorable evening."

A "shooting star" is actually a small bit of space dust, or meteor, that heats up and vaporizes as it streaks through Earth's atmosphere, Block said.

Meteors in this shower appear to come from the direction of constellation Perseus, and the perspective is like driving through raindrops in your car.

According to written records, sky gazers have been observing the Perseids for the past 1,500 years, Block added.

The "Summer SkyNights with the Perseids" program runs from 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., weather permitting. Reservations are available online.

Admission costs $60 for adults and $35 for youth ages 7 through 18. Prices include a sandwich dinner and late night snacks, take-home items and prizes.

The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter is a unique science center run by the UA Steward Observatory for the College of Science.