Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
TIPPECANOE — Visitors from across the region gathered at Potawatomi Wildlife Park last week for an evening under the park’s dark skies to experience the Perseid Meteor Shower.
The Wednesday, Aug. 12 event welcomed guests from Nappanee, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Benton Harbor and many surrounding communities. One couple traveled more than 130 miles from Illinois specifically to spend the evening viewing the meteor shower at the park, according to a provided news release.
The evening began at 7:30 p.m. in the Visitor Center with “Observing Meteors — When and How,” presented by Sherwood Waggy. Waggy introduced visitors to meteor showers, observing techniques and what they could expect to see throughout the night. He remained at the park well after 10 p.m. to visit with guests and answer questions.
According to Ray Miller with the Warsaw Astronomical Society of Indiana, clouds finally began clearing from south to north around 11:30 p.m. By midnight, the sky had completely cleared. While some wildfire smoke may have affected visibility, observers soon spotted their first bright meteor.
Over the next couple of hours, Miller estimated the group observed approximately 20–25 meteors, including several bright meteors that left long trails across the night sky.
Miller also brought an eVscope telescope, giving visitors another way to explore the night sky. Once conditions improved, the telescope captured views of the Andromeda, Pinwheel and Whirlpool Galaxies, along with the Lagoon, Eagle and Dumbbell Nebulae (See pictures below).
Miller remained at the park until approximately 2 a.m. Even then, one family was still in the observing field, enjoying the night sky and the sounds of insects surrounding them.
“We are incredibly thankful for everyone who came out and stayed hopeful through the clouds,” said the park manager. “There is something special about seeing people from so many different communities gathered together in a prairie, looking up at the same sky. Those who stayed past midnight were rewarded with a pretty incredible experience.”
Potawatomi Wildlife Park extends its appreciation to Miller and the Warsaw Astronomical Society of Indiana for sharing their equipment, knowledge and enthusiasm with visitors, as well as to Waggy for providing the evening’s educational presentation.
The park’s next public astronomy opportunity will take place Oct. 10 during the Michiana Astronomical Society Star Party.
Members of the Michiana Astronomical Society will spend the weekend at Potawatomi Wildlife Park for a variety of astronomy activities, some of which require advance registration or RSVP. To join the group for those activities please check out their website. On Oct. 10, the group will open their telescopes to the public from 8 to 10:30 p.m., giving visitors an opportunity to explore the night sky alongside experienced astronomers.
Oct. 10 will also be the evening of Potawatomi Wildlife Park’s annual banquet. Community members are encouraged to join the park for the banquet and then head over to the observing field for public telescope viewing.
Potawatomi Wildlife Park is a 317-acre nonprofit nature park in Tippecanoe, Indiana, featuring approximately 5 miles of trails and opportunities for wildlife observation, environmental education and low-impact outdoor recreation. The park is open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset with free admission; donations are appreciated.
