Looking up: the best parks in the region to observe comets, meteor showers
Stargazers and hobbyist astronomers alike clamor for the very best views of meteorite showers, such as the Orionids meteor showers, which kicked off the fall meteorite shower season by lighting up skies recently..
While the Orionids meteor showers are expected to continue through Wednesday, Nov. 22 — and an annular total solar eclipse will be visible to millions across the globe on Saturday, Oct. 14 — here are a few of the best places in the region to observe the rest of this season's meteorite showers.
Cherry Springs State Park offers public viewing area, variable stargazing options
Cherry Springs State Park, located in Coudersport, features a 360-degree view of the night sky, and is situated at the peak of a 2,300-foot high mountain.
From that perch and due to its renown pitch-black skies, Cherry Springs State Park provides a view of the nucleus of the Milky Way Galaxy.
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Cherry Springs State Park is open every day, but there are conditions for both short-term and overnight stargazing.
The night sky public viewing area is for short term star gazing, and is not intended for overnight stays.
For an all-nighter, Cherry Springs State Park's overnight astronomy Observation Field is open to registered users.
The overnight observation field is typically used by hardcore astronomers who bring their own equipment.
Those stargazers will need to register online to reserve a spot for overnight stargazing at Cherry Springs State Park.
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Skywatching in Delaware and New Jersey
Delaware State Parks close at sunset, so it is unlikely the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will offer any organized skywatching possibilities this year.
In New Jersey, online travel guide Only in Your State ranks Penn State Forest as the best place in New Jersey to observe a meteor shower.
Upcoming astronomy events in New Jersey: When is the next meteor shower? What planet is visible? Astronomy events in New Jersey
And according to the New Jersey State Park Service, Penn State Forest is also known for its landscape that reaches 140 feet above sea level.
Bass River State Forest, High Point State Park and Wharton State Forest in New Jersey also provide great views of the night sky.
More: Pa. state parks and forests budget ticks up, but only at a fraction of investment needs
Geminids, Leonids, Taurids and Ursids meteorite showers to watch for
Wherever one is viewing the night sky from, there are several meteor showers scheduled to light up the night sky in the coming weeks and months.
The Taurids meteor shower will be visible from Wednesday, Nov. 1 through Wednesday, Nov. 15.
The Leonids meteor shower will be visible from Tuesday, Nov. 14 through Saturday, Nov. 18.
The Geminids meteor shower will be visible from Sunday, Dec. 10 through Sunday, Dec. 16.
And the Ursids meteor shower will be visible from Thursday, Dec. 21 through Saturday, Dec. 23.
Starlink satellites add color, lights to night sky
Aside from the upcoming meteor showers, Starlink satellites have also brightened nighttime skies ... and lit up social media.
Starlink lights up Bucks County skies: What were the lights streaking over Bucks County ... and when can you see them again?
Starlink satellites provide internet services to dozens of countries around the world. Thousands of Starlink satellites currently orbit Earth at a closer distance than other internet satellites, giving users a faster internet experience, SpaceX notes.
Elon Musk owns Starlink, Tesla and X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter.
One of Starlink's main objectives is to improve broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming and video calls.
Sky watchers can use the Starlink tracking website Find Starlink to keep track on Starlink launches.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: The best parks in the region to observe comets, meteor showers
