All Perseus, all the time next weekend
August might as well be called Perseid month, at least in the East Bay regional parks, because of all the astronomical programs that are scheduled.
The main event is the Perseid meteor shower, which is caused when debris from passing comet Swift-Tuttle burns up in Earth’s atmosphere. The shower is so named because the meteors appear to radiate from the area of constellation Perseus. This year the Perseid shower will peak on the nights of Saturday and Aug. 1213. As a bonus, Mars and Saturn will be visible at the same time.
Full disclosure: The Perseid shower doesn’t always live up to its billing. The trick is to get away from city lights and give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. Always helpful with natural history, the East Bay Regional Park District is offering lots of opportunities to view the Perseid shower. Let’s take it from north to south.
OAKLEY >> At Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley, naturalist Cat Taylor will host a Perseid party from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Dress for evening breezes, bring a flashlight and a blanket or reclining chair, and meet at the park amphitheater to see the shooting stars. Big Break is at 69 Big Break Road off Oakley’s Main Street. For information, call 888327-2757, ext. 3050. ANTIOCH >> Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch will have a Perseid viewing program for ages 8 and older from 7:45 to 10 p.m. Aug. 12 in the parking lot at the upper end of Somersville Road. Naturalist Eddie Willis will point out constellations, planets and our area of the Milky Way galaxy. The program is free, but registration is required. Call 888-327-2757, select option 2 and refer to program 21624.
BERKELEY >> Naturalist “Trail Gail” Broesder plans a walk to view the meteors from 8 to 11 p.m. Aug. 12 at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley. It’s a hike to the top of Wildcat Peak for ages 8 and older. Dress for cool weather, wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight. No dogs or other pets, please. Meet at the Environmental Education Center, which is at the north end of Tilden’s Central Park Drive. For information, call 510-544-2233. LIVERMORE >> At Del Valle Regional Park south of Livermore, there’s a Perseid viewing program scheduled from 8 to 10 p.m. Aug. 12 with naturalist Constance Taylor. See the shooting stars and hear stories of the summer constellations. Dress in layers, bring a flashlight and blanket and meet at the intersection of Del Valle and Mendenhall Roads. For information call 510-544-3249. OTHER ACTIVITIES >> There are lots of daytime activities planned in the regional parks as well. For instance, “Songs and Stories by the Shore” is scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon Aug. 12 at Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda with naturalist Morgan Dill. It’s an hour of nature fun for the whole family. Crab Cove is at 1252 McKay Ave. off Alameda’s Central Avenue. Call 510-544-3187. FREMONT >> Or you can explore the geology, wildlife and human history of Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont during a hike from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Aug. 12 with naturalist Francis Mendoza. This involves a steep, 2.5-mile trek for ages 14 and older. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and don’t forget the sunscreen. Coyote Hills is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. The program is free, but there’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. For information, call 510-544-3220. RICHMOND >> And there’s a bird-watching walk with naturalist Anthony Fisher from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, starting at the Atlas Road entrance to Point Pinole Regional Shoreline in Richmond. Call 510-544-2233. ONLINE >> There are lots of other programs planned as well in coming days in the regional parks. Visit the park district website, ebparks.org, for more information.