Perseus, son of Zeus, killer of Medusa, hero of Andromeda, will be showcasing the annual meteor shower streaming from his constellation in mid August, peaking on August 11th. Buffalo State’s Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium is holding weekly events called “Stars of the Summer Skies” every Friday until August 17th. For the final two shows, “Midsummer’s Meteor Showers,” participants will learn of Greek mythology, following many of the constellations and ethereal bodies in the sky, as well as watching for meteors raining from the sky during what Arthur Gielow, Planetarium Director, has called “the year’s best observed meteor shower.” The Perseid meteor shower is visible as late as August 24th, and is best seen before dawn, away from city lights and in the northern hemisphere. The meteors occur amidst the northern lights and often are rich and dependable, holding persistent trains and lighting up the dark, open sky. Earth grazing meteors can be found in the midst of the Perseid as well. These are long, slow and colorful meteors, and as the night persists, the meteors appear higher in the sky, following the transition of Perseus. The use of telescopes and binoculars is unnecessary—the meteors are much more easily distinguished by the naked eye due to their fast moving nature. Meteor showers are visible throughout July and August, though the Perseid is the most reliable, following the waxing moon, visible during predawn hours and climaxing at up to 60 meteors per hour. That’s a lot of wishing to do on falling stars!

Friday, August 3, 10, 17 at 7:30pm. Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium at Buffalo State

College, Science Building 115, 1300 Elmwood Avenue

(878-4911/http://fergusonplanetarium.homestead.com). $5