SPECIAL ASTRONOMER-LED SESSION TO VIEW THE CELESTIAL LIGHTS IN SAN MIGUEL’S BOTANICAL GARDEN, EL CHARCO DEL INGENIO
Led by Phyllis Burton Pitluga, Astronomer Emeritus, Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, Chicago
Sunday, December 13, 2009, 6 pm to midnight
General admission 10 pesos, children under 12 free (donations are appreciated)
Food, Warm Drinks & Bonfire
An astounding 120 meteors an hour (2 per minute) are predicted to rain across our central Mexican sky this coming Sunday, reason enough to celebrate with a special observing night under the stars. The Geminid meteor shower particles are the only grains we know of that come from an asteroid (other meteor-shower grains come from decayed comets). The asteroid 3200 Phaethon must be colliding with other little rocky objects in its vicinity to be providing the debris field that we currently orbit through every December. These grains heat up from friction with the Earth’s upper atmosphere, creating the glowing trails across our sky. Come enjoy the celestial lights of our holiday season – the Geminid Meteor Shower, and other telescopic celestial wonders – at El Charco del Ingenio in San Miguel.
FEATURING:
The planets Mercury and Jupiter
Colorful Double Stars
Star Clouds and Clusters
Andromeda Galaxy
Suggestions: Come in warm clothing, carry a flashlight (dimmed by putting your flashlight in a brown paper bag or cover it with red tissue paper so as not to destroy our night vision) and bring a portable telescope or binoculars to share, if you wish. **If the sky is more than half covered with clouds at 5 p.m. the event will be cancelled. However, the forecast is for clear skies! Please phone local San Miguel number 154-4715 if you are uncertain.