Meteor Shower Photography Opportunity

The Perseids are among the most reliable annual meteor showers, and this year is expected to be better than usual because the Moon’s phase will be close to new so will not brighten the sky during peak meteor activity. This year the peak activity is during the night of Wednesday, August 11-12. However there is activity over a few days so meteors may be visible a few nights before and after. In general the best viewing is in the early morning hours after midnight, before dawn. Of course all this depends on having clear skies.

We are planning an all-night BPC outing to view and photograph the meteor shower during the night of August 11-12 at Yellowwood Lake, a dark location not far from Bloomington with good viewing in the direction of the meteors. We plan to meet at the group camping area at the north end of the lake near the boat ramp. There is adequate parking, picnic tables, a fire ring and space to set up photo equipment and tents. BPC members can come and stay as long as they like, even all night, to view and photograph the meteors and do any other night sky photography. Some of us plan to set up to photograph all night and more experienced night shooters will be available to answer questions.

Note that this area is not reservable, so may be pre-empted by another group. But it’s unlikely as this is mid-week, and we can get there early and start setting up. Given the uncertainties of weather, etc., this may be postponed until the following night, Thurs., Aug. 12-13.

Please contact Zolt Levay ( zgl@me.com) or Jack Speaker ( jjspeaker@hotmail.com) for more information.