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VAN BUREN, Mo: Take advantage of the Ozarks’ dark skies and witness the peak of the Perseids, a shower of 60-100 meteors per hour. This free event will take place at Big Spring on Saturday, August 12, from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Visitors of all ages are invited to join us for the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, which has amazed humanity for generations. During the event, rangers will discuss astronomical events and night sky preservation. There are few better locations than the dark, quiet fields of Big Spring.
Meteor showers are caused when Earth passes through debris fields, such as ice and rock left by comets. The Perseids were once part of Comet Swift-Tuttle, which last passed our planet in 1992. Meteor showers “peak” when Earth enters the densest debris, making August 12 the peak for this year!
In 2022, the Perseid shower was impacted by a full moon, which drowned out most meteors. Thankfully, this year, there is only a thin crescent moon during the peak, making for ideal viewing. Astronomical events, like meteor showers, are best viewed in areas with minimal light pollution. The Ozarks are perfect for this, as they are one of the darkest areas in the eastern U.S. Through careful planning and design of lights and buildings, Ozark National Scenic Riverways is working to protect this dark sky experience.
For this event, visitors are encouraged to bring bug spray and chairs or blankets. Any flashlights or lanterns should use a red light setting to preserve night vision. Telescopes and binoculars are welcome for stargazing/moon-viewing, but they are not recommended for viewing meteors. The park will have a few telescopes set up for the event.
In the event of rain or cloud cover, rangers will instead conduct a program about bats in the Ozarks at the nearby Big Spring Pavilion.
Big Spring is located south of Van Buren, along the Current River. To reach the Big Spring area from Van Buren: From Highway 60, turn onto Missouri Highway 103 (MO-103) and continue for about four miles. The road will cross a small bridge over the spring branch. Just past the bridge, turn left to reach the parking area adjacent to the spring. The event will take place in the field just north of the spring.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/ozar or call (573) 323-4236. You can also follow us on facebook.com/ozarkriverways or on Instagram @ozarkriverwaysnps.
nps.gov/ozar
Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves 134 miles of the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people. Learn more at www.nps.gov/ozar. Find us on Facebook @ozarkriverways and on Instagram @ozarkriverwaysnps.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Last updated: August 5, 2023