The Yanggu National Center for Astronomy in Gangwon Province will host a public viewing event for the Perseid meteor shower on the night of August 12, coinciding with its peak activity.
According to Yanggu County officials, the observatory will open its observation area to the public from 10 PM on August 12 until 4 AM on August 13, allowing visitors to freely enjoy the Perseid meteor shower.
This event is open to everyone without prior registration or admission fees. Attendees are encouraged to bring personal observation equipment such as mats and portable chairs. However, regular operations, including exhibitions, guided tours, and experience programs inside the observatory, will not be available on the event day. The event may be canceled in case of poor weather conditions or rain.
Meteors are celestial phenomena that occur when small particles left by comets or asteroids collide with the Earth's atmosphere, producing bright streaks of light due to intense friction. When numerous meteors appear to radiate from a single point in a short period, this phenomenon is known as a meteor shower.
The Perseid meteor shower is caused by debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet. It is one of the most prominent meteor showers, peaking in mid-August, and on clear nights, observers can see dozens of meteors per hour, making it one of the summer's most celebrated astronomical events.
The Yanggu National Center for Astronomy offers seasonal constellation observations, telescope experiences, and astronomy education programs, helping the public engage with space and astronomical phenomena in an accessible manner. Its location, with less light pollution than urban areas, provides an ideal environment for observing stars, galaxies, and meteor showers.
Park Hyun-jung, head of the Yanggu County Tourism and Culture Department, stated, “The Perseid meteor shower is a representative astronomical phenomenon that can be seen in the summer night sky. We hope many visitors create unforgettable memories while watching shooting stars at the Yanggu National Center for Astronomy.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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