Mingo park’s observatory to host meteor viewing
Darnell Graham
Above and top right: The Mingo Creek Park Observatory in Finleyville, Washington County, has a 24-inch reflector telescope.
Pictured is the 24-inch reflector telescope located at the Mingo Park Observatory in Washington County.
Mike Meteney, Amateur Astronomers Association Treasurer views the sun through the solar adapter attached to the 10-inch refractor telescope at Mingo Park Observatory in Washington County.
Legend has it that wishing upon a shooting star will make a wish come true.
Stargazers this week will have plenty of chances to have their dreams come true, said Becky Nicholas, director of Mingo Creek Park Observatory.
The observatory, at Mingo Creek County Park in Finleyville, Washington County, is hosting a watching party for shooting stars.
“You can make a wish on it, but you better be ready because if there are 50 or 60 (meteors) an hour that’s a lot of wishes,” Nicholas said.
What will be on display Thursday night into early Friday morning is a Perseid meteor shower.
Many years ago, a comet passed through the universe. Discovered independently by astronomers Louis Swift and Horace Parnell Tuttle in July 1862, it was named the Swift-Tuttle Comet.
As comets travel through a universe, they leave a trail of dust and debris behind. Each year, on or around Aug. 12, the Swift-Tuttle Comet passes through that debris, causing a Perseid meteor shower.
“It is productive in that you can see a number of meteors each year,” said Nichols, a Rostraver Township resident. “There are 50 to 60 meteors an hour, sometime up to 100.”
Meteors are also known as shooting stars, she said.
What potentially makes them better each year depends on the phase of the moon and when the moon set, Nichols said. When the moonlight is bright, the meteors are harder to see. The phase of the moon this week appears optimal for viewing the meteors.
Peak activity will occur around midnight Thursday into early Friday morning.
The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will open the observatory grounds at around 9 p.m. Thursday so the public can come and get set up.
“The best way to observe meteor showers is to be outside,” Nicholas said. “If you want to bring a chair or blanket, you’re welcome. You have to face northeast. Looking through a telescope will not benefit you to see the meteors.”
Nicholas said the association may open one of the telescopes for the public to look through in between meteor showers.
Mike Meteney, treasurer of the association, said close to 700 people attended the watch party in August 2015.
He said Mingo is a popular site because it is mainly dark, devoid of outside lights, and relatively close for the public to visit.
“Last year was a peak year because it was a weekend night and people didn’t have to go to work, so we had quite a turnout,” Nichols said.
“I’m not sure what the crowd will be like this year because it’s a Thursday.”
The association will host one of its star gazing parties on Friday and Saturday some meteors may still visible in a weaker area of the dust cloud.