Hi, you're listening to cultivate
curiosity, a.
Podcast that inspires the next generation
to stay curious.
Cultivate Curiosity is brought to you by
the Emerald Coast Science Center, a
nonprofit.
Interactive science museum and steam
educational facility in Fort Walton Beach,
Florida.
This podcast is perfect for anyone curious
about the world we live in because
you never know what we'll talk about
next.
Hi everyone, my name is Jacie and
I'm the social media coordinator here at
the Emerald Coast Science Center.
And today on cultivate curiosity, we're
diving deep into a series of celestial
events coming up in October that you
won't want to miss.
Be talking about not one, but two
meteor showers, as well as an annular
solar eclipse and a stunning partial lunar
eclipse happening in the middle of the
month.
Well explain the science behind each of
these phenomena and give you the best
tips for viewing them.
So grab your stargazing gear and lets
explore the wonders of the night sky.
First up, weve got the draconoid meteor
shower peaking on October 8 and 9th.
The draconoids are a unique meteor shower
because they are best viewed just after
sunset.
Unlike most meteor showers, which are best
caught after midnight, this makes it super
accessible for families in early evening
stargasters.
The draconoids originate from the debris
left behind by the comet 21 p
or Dracovini ziner, and their radiant
point is near the constellation draco the
dragon.
Although this is typically a low key
meteor shower, producing just a few
meteors per hour, it has surprised us
in the past with meteor storms, so
it's always worth checking out.
Now we've got an especially exciting
celestial event to talk about, annular
solar eclipse happening on October 14.
This is going to be a major
astronomical event because we'll be
treated to the awe inspiring ring of
fire effect as the moon passes in
front of the sun.
But unlike a total solar eclipse, where
the moon completely blocks the sun during
an annular solar eclipse, the moon is
a little too far away in its
orbit to cover the entire sun.
What you'll see instead is a thin,
glowing ring of sunlight surrounding the
dark silhouette of the moon.
This ring of fire is one of
the most beautiful sights in the sky,
and it's going to be visible across
parts of the United States, Central
America, and South America.
So if you're in the path, make
sure you don't miss it.
Next up, let's talk about something even
more visually dramatic, the partial lunar
eclipse happening on October 17.
This event will be visible from parts
of the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
So if you're in any of those
regions, mark your calendars.
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the
earth passes between the sun and the
moon, casting a shadow that partially
covers the moon, not a full eclipse
where the entire moon would turn that
famous reddish blood moon color.
But it's still a beautiful sight.
You'll see the earth's shadow gradually
creeping across the surface of the moon,
creating a stunning contrast of light and
dark.
To view it, you won't need any
special equipment, but if you have
binoculars or a telescope, they'll give
you an even better view.
Lunar eclipses are completely safe to
watch with the naked eye, so just
step outside and enjoy the show.
Just a few days after the lunar
eclipse, we're in for another treat, the
orionid meteor shower on October 20 and
21st.
The rhinoids are one of the more
reliable meteor showers, so if you're
hoping for a decent show, this is
the one to watch.
These meteors come from debris left behind
by Halley's comet.
Yes, the very same famous comet that
only swings by Earth once every 76
years.
Even though we won't see Halley's comet
again until 2061, we get to enjoy
the meteors it leaves in its wake
every October.
Under ideal conditions, the Orionids can
produce up to 20 meteors per hour,
which means you'll likely spot a good
number of shooting stars if you're
watching from a dark location.
Whats great about the horionids is that
they are visible from both the northern
and southern hemispheres, making it a
truly global event.
The best time to watch between midnight
and dawn.
So if youre up for it, stay
out late for the most spectacular views.
With all these exciting celestial events
happening in October, here are a few
quick viewing tips to make sure you
get the best experience.
So for meteor showers, dark skies are
key.
Get as far away from the city
lights as possible.
Open fields, beaches, or rural areas are
perfect.
Be patient.
Meteor showers are unpredictable, so give
yourself plenty of time to watch.
Bring a blanket or reclining chair so
you can relax and look up comfortably.
No need for telescopes your eyes are
your best tool for meteor watching as
telescopes and binoculars narrow your
field of view.
For the lunar eclipse.
Binoculars or telescopes.
While not necessary, these can enhance
your view of the partial eclipse.
No protective gear required.
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are
safe to view with the naked eye.
For the annular solar eclipse, eclipsed
glasses are essential.
Never look directly at the sun during
an annular solar eclipse.
Without proper eclipsed glasses, regular
sunglasses won't protect your eyes.
Pinhole projectors if you don't have
eclipse glasses, you can make a simple
pinhole projector to safely observe the
eclipse.
You can also look for crescent shaped
shadows on the ground created by sunlight
passing through gaps in leaps.
Solar filters for cameras or telescopes if
you're planning to take pictures or use
a telescope, make sure you use a
solar filter to protect your eyes and
your equipment.
And, of course, check local weather
forecasts.
Clear skies are essential for viewing any
astronomical event, so keep an eye out
on the forecast and adjust your stargazing
plans accordingly.
So October is shaping up to be
an amazing month for stargazers, with two
meteor showers, a partial lunar eclipse,
and an annular solar eclipse all happening
in just a few short weeks.
Whether you're watching the quiet beauty
of the draconoids, the steady brilliance
of the orhinoids, the shadowy spectacle of
the lunar eclipse, or the stunning ring
of fire effect of the annular solar
eclipse, these events are a perfect reason
to go outside and connect with the
universe.
We hope these tips help you make
the most of these celestial shows.
If you get any great pictures or
have a cool stargazing experience, be sure
to share them with us.
We love to hear about it.
Until next time, keep your eyes on
the sky, and thanks for tuning in.
Thanks for listening to this week's
episode of Cultivate Curiosity.
If you have any questions, feel free
to email us at socialmedia@ecscience.org.
Tune in for our next episode in
two weeks.