Annual Perseid meteor shower viewing set for this month in Great Falls

The roll-top observatory at Turner Farm Park (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)

Residents will have the chance to view an annual meteor shower next week in Great Falls.

Fairfax County’s Observatory Park at Turner Farm will be the site of the sighting event on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

“The Perseid showers are among the most plentiful showers with upward of 100 meteors per hour,” the Fairfax County Park Authority said.

The meteor shower is active every year from mid-July to late August. It’s caused by the Earth passing through debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, which passed closest to Earth in 1992.

Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to watch the showers under the night sky. Warm dressing is encouraged for the night temperatures.

The event will be canceled in the event of rain. Although registration is not necessary, large groups should contact the Analemma Society to coordinate attendance.

The observatory is located at 925 Springvale Road.

Read more on FFXnow…

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