Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
STANSBURY PARK -- Utahns looking for somewhere to watch for the Perseid meteor shower overnight can try the Salt Lake Astronomical Society's observatory in Stansbury Park.
The observatory grounds will be open Friday from midnight to 3 a.m., weather permitting. Its telescopes will not be open because they are not recommended for watching meteors.
Source: NASA
The Perseids are linked to the trail of space grit left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle.
NASA's Perseid website says if forecasters are correct, the shower should produce a peak display of at least 80 meteors per hour.
Meteor watchers going to the observatory in Stansbury Park are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, sleeping bags, warm drinks and snacks. There is no charge for admission and reservations are not required.
The observatory is located at 15 Plaza in Stansbury Park and can be reached by taking Interstate 80 west from Salt Lake City to the Stansbury/Tooele exit (#99) and then following the signs, first to Stansbury Park and then to the observatory.
