Hot Hawaiian Night - Meteor Showers!
Hawaii has the privilege of being in a prime location to 
observe several meteor showers each year.
On any clear, moonless night, far from city lights you'll see at
least a few sporadic meteors. When we are fortunate enough to be on the water when this occurs,
tens or hundreds of meteors can be observed over just a few hours.
Being on the water on the right day and time, is a sort of a celestial
lottery. Projected peak dates or times may change as the earth draws
nearer to the shower, so keep posted!
You can enjoy one of Nature's spectacular night time displays aboard
a 42ft. private catamaran. . We'll sail out far enough to be away
from the influence of artificial lights. Next we will cruise parallel
with the coastline, allowing our eyes to adjust to the darkness
while enjoying the view of the Waianae Coast by starlight.
Observing these meteor showers could not be easier. You do not
need any specialist equipment or knowledge, all you need are your
eyes.
Eta-Aqurids
Overnighter - Sunset, Meteor Shower and Morning Wild Dolphin
Swim
This
is a fine, rich stream, but it is visible for only a few hours before
dawn essentially from tropical and southern hemisphere sites. Fast
and often bright meteors make this shower worthwhile, and many events
leave glowing persistent trains after them. We'll be leaving slightly
before sunset for an overnighter, waking up at
dark thirty for the shower and when the sun rises... wild dolphin swim (GREAT time
of year for dolphins), then back to the dock before lunch. Dinner
and continental breakfast included. $200 per person, limited to
the first six takers...
Perseids
July
23-August 22 2003
Main peak: August 12 6:40 PM HST
Possible other peaks: 4:40 PM on August 12 and at 4:40 AM HST on
August 13- Full moon will interfere with viewing
This
is the most famous of all meteor showers. It never fails to render
an impressive display and, due to its summertime appearance, it
tends to provide the majority of meteors seen by non-astronomy enthusiasts.
The warm summer nights, coupled with bright shooting stars are enough
to entice even the most armchair-bound astronomer outside.
Taurids
Although
the Taurids meteor stream is spread over a few weeks, it peaks for
only a couple of nights. The brightness, relative slowness and long
trains (fireballs) of the Taurids make them ideal targets for photography.
In 1995, an impressive crop of brilliant Taurids occurred between
late October and mid-November.
Leonids
November 14 – 20
Peak: November 17,
4:30 PM, HST
This
is expected to be a real drop-off year for the Leonids, as it
returns to being an average shower for the next three decades.
The third quarter moon rises at midnight on the evening of November
17-18, which will interfere with viewing.
