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On Friday, a cold front will push some of the smoke out of the Rockies and provide a clear window of sight. But with large fires still raging on the West Coast, forecasters say clarity may not last long.
For many visitors to the dark sky parks of the West, the promise of diamond-shimmering skies is a major attraction. On Thursday night, as ranger Mr. Bohley was preparing for his evening astronomy talk, a man from Philadelphia stopped by and said he had timed his vacation to be in a dark sky park specifically at the height of the Perseid shower. and asked the ranger if it was okay to sit on the dunes and watch all night.
“Oh yes, we should see plenty tonight,” replied Mr Bohley. “It looks like we’re finally taking a break.”
Just after sunset, a strong East wind swept the mountains and brought the drifting smoke back to the West. The sky over the park has cleared – or at least clearer.
As darkness fell, a small crowd of visitors gathered, and Mr. Bohley raised his eyes, directing them to planets and galaxies, white dwarfs and red giants.
He told them that the night sky is not just a spectacle, but a critical piece of cultural heritage. Looking at the stars and wondering is as old and universal as dance, song or music. He said it’s part of the basic human experience.
Just at the mark, a meteor swept across the sky, leaving a long, silent, silvery tail. “Ooooooooh,” the crowd sighed in unison.
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