Byron Forest Preserve's Weiskopf Observatory is inviting one and all to come down to Byron for 3 days of star-gazing.

The Byron Forest Preserve District will offer a free viewing of the annual Perseid Meteor Shower on Monday, August 12th, Tuesday, August 13th and Wednesday, August 14th. The free viewing will be from 8:30 p.m. until midnight at the Weiskopf Observatory located at the Jarrett Prairie Nature Preserve 7993 North River Road in Byron.

For those unfamiliar with the Perseid Meteor Shower (credit EarthSky.org):

The annual Perseid meteor shower is one of the most beloved meteor showers of the year, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, where the shower peaks on warm summer nights. No matter where you live worldwide, the 2019 Perseid meteor shower will probably produce the greatest number of meteors on the mornings of August 11, 12 and 13. Unfortunately, on the peak mornings in 2019, a bright moon will drown many Perseids from view. For those serious about seeing the greatest number of Perseids in 2019, we recommend viewing several mornings in a row, beginning the weekend of Friday, August 9, to Sunday, August 11. There will be considerably more moon-free viewing time then than at the Perseids’ likely peak from late evening August 12 until dawn August 13.

To keep yourself comfortable during the viewing, the Byron Forest Preserve District recommends bringing along your own blanket and/or chairs for the event.

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