Connecticut skygazers should prepare for two events this August. A partial solar eclipse is set to occur on August 12. While residents along the East Coast will see about 9 percent coverage of the sun, safety remains the priority for all observers.
NASA confirms that the moon will appear to take a small bite out of the solar disk. Viewers are required to use eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers to prevent permanent eye damage. Regular sunglasses are not sufficient for this activity, and observers must avoid looking at the sun through camera lenses, telescopes, or binoculars without specialized solar filters.
The celestial activity continues overnight as the Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak. This annual display is expected to produce between 25 and 100 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. The American Meteor Society suggests that the best viewing occurs from midnight until dawn between August 12 and August 13.
To view the meteor shower, find a location with minimal light pollution and clear skies. Facing the southeast and allowing at least 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark will increase your success. Lying on your back allows for a wider field of view, which is the most effective way to track the meteors as they cross the sky.