Members of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers will be sharing an evening of Astronomy, telescope equipment demonstrations, and especially viewing of the year’s most attractive Meteor Shower, the Perseids.

Each year around August 11, there’s a noteworthy increase in meteors coming from the direction of the constellation Perseus. Since August is usually warm and fair, it’s an ideal time to bring an air mattress,
and perhaps a warm blanket, and just stare at the sky, watching for the big ones.

We are fortunate to be able to invite the public to the Binbrook Conservation Area, after normal hours, for this ever-popular free event. Starting at about 8 PM, we will assemble on the hill by the pavillion. After some short talks about what’s in the sky that night, and how best to watch for meteors, the sky will darken and the show will begin.

Because the park is open for business beforehand, you will have to come at 8 PM, on August 11, with
a rain/cloud date of August 12, or, if you have already paid to be there for the day, simply remain, and come to the pavillion. We will let you out at 11 PM when the evening winds down.

Here’s a map of the location:
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=43.100137,-79.835914&spn=0.001347,0.003001&t=h&z=19

Although meteor showers are not much for Telescope viewing… (in fact, you will notice that most meteors seem to shoot across the sky while you are looking the other way in a telescope), you can still bring
binoculars for a peek at the sky while waiting for the meteors to show.
Binoculars are an excellent and easy to use way to get more from the sky.

As part of the International Year of Astronomy, we will also have some handouts to interest
children and adults.