The Wappapello Lake U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are inviting everyone Saturday evening to the Spillway Recreation Boat Ramp to learn about the Perseids meteor shower and catch a glimpse of the dazzling light show.
Park Ranger intern Carice Godbey will present "Uncovering the Mysteries of the Night: Meteor Showers" beginning at 9:30 p.m.
This is a historically and culturally centered program on meteor showers and tips for making the best of a viewing site.
"We want to encourage meteor showers are cool to look at and to spend an evening out with the family looking at the sky," she said. "We want to get people interested with history and science."
Godbey said the Perseids have been visible for several weeks, but will peak during the overnight hours of Saturday into Sunday and Sunday into Monday.
Star watchers are encouraged to come early and get settled in by 9 p.m. This will give time for eyes to adjust to the dark to clearly see meteors.
If the sky is clear and no rain falling, Godbey said she will call for a lights free zone beginning at 9:30 p.m., prior to the program.
If raining, the program will be held in the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center. Signs will be posted to direct star watchers.
"I believe knowledge is power and want to get people outside and thinking," she said.
A star theater will also be available before 9:30 p.m. to view constellations.
"Everyone can stay as long as they would like, but they must not be disruptive once quiet hours are in effect at 10 p.m.," Godbey said.
Star watchers are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, snacks and bug spray for the free event. Telescopes are also allowed if available.
At the end, Godbey asks that no trace is left from attendees by picking up trash and cleaning areas before leaving.
"This will be a fun event," she said. "We want to forge community bonds."
According to Space.com, the Perseid meteor shower happens in August each year. The Earth plows into debris left behind from Comet Swift-Tuttle, which last passed close to Earth in 1992. The shower should feature 60 to 70 meteors per hour at its peak this year.
Most Perseid meteors are made of pieces of dust about the size of a grain of sand and almost all burn out completely while traveling through the atmosphere.
The Perseids appear to come from the constellation Perseus, known as the shower's radiant, but they can appear all across the sky.
The Wappapello Lake Project Office can be contacted at 573-222-8562 for any questions.