If anybody likes to watch meteor showers..............

[Raineyrocks]

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The night sky has some interesting sights in store this weekend.

Links: Space Shuttle Viewing | Perseid Meteors

The Endeavour space shuttle docked with the international space station should be visible to observers in New Hampshire for a couple of minutes each night Friday through Sunday.

The shuttle can be seen at 8:54 p.m. for two minutes and again at 10:29 p.m. for one minute on Friday in the northwest sky. On Saturday, it can be seen at 9:17 p.m. for two minutes in the northern sky. It can then be seen on Sunday at 9:39 p.m. for two minutes in the northwestern sky.

Anyone outside on Sunday night may also be able to see the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. Between 9 and 10 p.m., when the constellation Perseus rises in the northeast, the show will begin. By 2 a.m. Monday, dozens of meteors an hour may be seen, and before dawn, rates could exceed a meteor per minute.

Astronomers said anyone hoping to watch the meteor shower should get away from city lights. Also, give your eyes 20 minutes or so to adjust to the darkness. If you need light to see something, cover a flashlight with red cellophane, which will prevent the light from ruining your night vision.

Of course, the sights in the night sky are dependent on good weather. Skies are expected to be mostly clear in southern New Hampshire on Friday and Saturday, but they could be partly cloudy Sunday night.

[Bald Eagle]

I gots a telescope that we could set up outside, and we've got a pretty big parking lot for people to bring lawn chairs and hang out.

We've still got plenty of tasty beverages if people want to make a little party out of watching the meteor showers.

[KBCraig]

Meteor showers are best enjoyed while reclining on a blanket in the very dark countryside. 

[toowm]

Meteor showers are best enjoyed while reclining on a blanket in the very dark countryside. 

The best ones we ever saw were in extreme cold after an ice storm (maybe Geminids?) back in Illinois. I went out at 2am for the peak and they were stunning: 10-20/minute, long and bright. M said I should wake her up if they were good, so I did. We shuffled over the layer of ice on the deck and laid down on lots of blankets to watch.

The Perseids this year were OK - I think all the kids now say they have seen one, at least. Isn't there a better one coming up?

[Lloyd Danforth]

There was a great meteor shower about 5 years ago.  Even in CT where it is damn near impossible to get away from ambient light sources that shower was great!

[Beth221]

ohh crap i missed it!!  i so wanted to see it too! 

[KBCraig]

ohh crap i missed it!!  i so wanted to see it too! 

I thought you had had enough of seeing stars. 

You haven't missed it; the Perseid showers aren't a one-night occurrence. They actually started in July, are most active Aug 8-14, and peaked last night. They are most visible last night and tonight because of the new moon.

[error]

Ice on the deck? How far north are you?

[KBCraig]

Ice on the deck? How far north are you?

The best ones we ever saw were in extreme cold after an ice storm (maybe Geminids?) back in Illinois.

Geminids are in December. Perfectly reasonable for an ice storm in Illinois.

[Raineyrocks]

I ended up going to sleep before peak time.