To Mars and Beyond

The Montauk Observatory has a number of events coming up this month for those interested in stars, planets, and galaxies far, far away 

Paul Stengel, a Solar System Ambassador at NASA, will give a talk “Next Stop Mars” at the Montauk Library tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Stengel’s presentation on the same subject in December was so popular that the Montauk Observatory invited him back for an encore.

Mr. Stengel, a retired science teacher who lives in Southampton, will talk about space travel to Mars and efforts “not just to get there, but to stay,” according to the observatory’s website.

The Montauk Observatory and the South Fork Natural History Museum will host two star parties in the upcoming months at the museum in Bridgehampton. Astronomers from the observatory will give guided tours of the night sky to those who attend. Participants can take their personal telescopes and binoculars, and participate in astrophotography. The first party will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 10; the other from 8 to 10 p.m. on Sept. 7. The parties will not be held if it is raining or overcast. They are free and family-friendly, and refreshments are provided. 

Donations from participants help to fund the observatory’s programs.

The Earth is passing through the comet Swift-Tuttle’s path from July 17 to Aug. 24. The Perseid meteor shower will be highly visible during the peak of the Earth’s passing on the night of Aug. 12 to 13. During the peak, the meteors are predicted to move at a rate of up to 90 per hour. This year, on Aug. 12, the moon will be in its waxing crescent phase, which is the first phase of the new moon; thus, the meteor shower will be more visible than it has been in previous years.