A new meteor shower could provide for a spectacular show early Saturday morning.
Earth will pass through a debris field of a comet named Comet 209P/LINEAR, said Mike Smith, senior astronomy educator with the North Museum of Natural History & Science in Lancaster. The comet was discovered in 2004.
A trail of dust and dirt is left behind when a comet passes close enough to the Sun, and the frozen carbon dioxide changes from a solid to a gas, he said.
The upcoming meteor shower, which is coming from the Camelopardalis constellation, could be a good show or a dud — it just depends on how much debris is out there, Smith said. Predictions from astronomers have varied. Some say 100 to 200 meteors an hour; others say up to 400 or more.
"You don't know if you are entering into a gold mine or not," Smith said.
A couple of events are planned for early Saturday morning for those who hope to see a show. Stargazers can take a boat ride at Lake Redman in York and Springfield townships for a small fee, or for free, they can take their chairs or blankets to John C. Rudy County Park in East Manchester Township.
Residents also can watch for these meteors from their own yard, Smith said. And while the predictions vary, he thinks it's worthwhile to give it a try. It's expected to be better than the Perseids meteor shower, which is in the summer.
The York County Astronomical Society is hosting the free event at Rudy Park.
"It's been a long time since a new meteor shower has been discovered," said Todd Ullery of the astronomical society.
Many club members are getting together to look up at the sky if it is clear, he said. The show, of course, also is weather dependent.
The best time to see the show is predicted to be between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., Smith said. The point of origin will be in between the Big and Little Dippers.
Viewers should be patient and try to see as much of the sky as possible, he said.
Those who plan to be outside should remember to dress in layers, Ullery said. The temperature can dip into the 50s at night, so it would be hard to be outside in just a T-shirt, for example. Binoculars will not be needed for the show.
The York County Department of Parks and Recreation offered a boat ride during the Perseids meteor shower last year, and it was a big success, said Jeri Jones, program coordinator for the parks.
That's why the parks decided to offer a boat ride for the new meteor shower, he said. Participants also will learn a little about astronomy, too.
"It should be a good shower," Jones said.
Meteor shower watches planned
Two meteor watches will be held this weekend in York County.
• A free meteor watch will be held at the The York County Astronomical Society's observatory at John C. Rudy County Park in East Manchester Township. The event will be held from 11 p.m. Friday to 4:30 a.m. Saturday.
Guests may bring blankets or chairs, and they may come and go as they please, according to a news release. They also may bring light refreshments for themselves or buy food from on-site vending machines.
Park restrooms will be available, it says.
• A special meteor shower boat ride will be offered at Lake Redman through the York County Department of Parks & Recreation. It will be held from 1:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. Saturday at the Lake Redman Activity Area of William H. Kain County Park.
The cost is $30 per couple if using a county-owned boat or $20 per couple for a private boat. Add $5 for each additional participant. To register, call 840-7440. For more information, go to www.yorkcountyparks.org
Planetarium shows offered
Three planetarium shows will be offered on Friday evening about the planets and constellations that are visible in York's night sky in May, according to a news release from the York County Astronomical Society.
Back to the Moon will be presented at 7 p.m., followed by StarWatch at 7:40 p.m. and Comets & Discovery at 8:20 p.m.
Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for children and seniors. Admission to a second or third show is $1 each, the news release states.
The planetarium is located in the York Learning Center at 300 E. Sixth Ave. in York.