There are a number of star parties where you can come and watch the event. The most crucial conditions for a good show are a dark sky and clear horizon. So, what better place to view it than the dark, desert skies of Mitzpe Ramon? Mitzpe Ramon will have its own traditional star party on Monday night-Tueday morning, August 12 and 13. This star party attracts thousands of people from around Israel. Last year over 9,000 people attended. Although this sounds like a zoo, it was actually quite alot of fun, and everything was quite orderly and joyful. This may be the largest star party in the world. And if you've never heard 9,000 people cheer when a fireball flashes overhead, well, you've never lived.
If you want something a bit more intimate, on the previous night, Sunday, August 11 through the morning of Monday August 12, I will be hosting my own star party in conjunction with the Desert Shade Eco-Lodge in Mitzpe Ramon. I will be doing both naked eye and telescope star shows throughout the night until after 1:00AM, after which we can all sit back and watch the sky blaze with meteors. I will also be showing my video of the great Chelyabinsk Meteor that fell over Russia on February 15 of this year, cutting a huge swatch of destruction in its wake. To complement the video I will have a "show and hold" presentation of actual meteorites from space, including a genuine piece of the Chelyabinsk meteorite. The "piece de resistance" of my collection is a piece of the actual "Tohu va'Vohu" (See Beresheet 1:2) from which our solar system began over 5 billion years ago. It's more fun than a freak show and alot kinder to the children! We will also have a campfire around midnight and all the tea you can drink. Admission includes camping all night as well as use of the bathroom facilities. Bring your own sleeping bags, tents, camprolls, etc.
EVENT
What: Perseids Meteor Shower Star Party
When: Sunday night through Monday morning, August 11-12
Where: Desert Shade Eco-Lodge Mitzpe Ramon
Activities: Naked eye and telescopic star tours by Ira Machefsky, the Starman of Mitzpe Ramon; All night camping included in price of entry; Movie of the Great Chelyabinsk Fireball that crashed over Russia on Feb. 15 of this year; "Show and Hold" presentation of actual Rocks from Space together with the most primitive meteorite ever discovered, a piece of the "Tohu va'Vohu" of our world; Camp fire; and of course meteor watching all night long.
Language: EnglishAdmission: 80nis per person, includes all night camping privileges, hot tea all night, bathroom facilities, camp fire, all presentations.
Upgrades: Price for star tour & over night in dorm eco tent 125 Nis per person
Price for star tour & over night in private eco tent 165 Nis per person ( MIN 2 PAX PER ECO TENT)
Vegetarian food will be available to purchase.
Optional sun rise jeep desert safari for just 240 NIS
For more details & reservation
Reservations Required: info@desert-shade.comA meteor shower occurs when the earth in its orbit around the sun encounters the orbit of an old comet. Comets slowly disintegrate as they orbit the sun, leaving behind a trail of cometary debris that consists of varying size rocks, dust and debris. When the arth encounters this material, it enters the earth's atmosphere at very high speed where friction causes it to burn up. The fiery remains are seen as meteors in the sky. The larger the debris, the brighter the meteor. The Perseids Meteor Shower is the result of the earth encountering the orbit of Comet Swift-Tuttle. |