Visiting astronomers from France install a guest imstrument on the MIRA telescope to use in the search for extra-solar planets. MIRA Director Bruce Weaver is second from right.

In its 40 year history, the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy (MIRA) has been the local leader in astronomical research and educational programming.

From the deep valley perch of the Oliver Observing Station atop Chew's Ridge, and the Richard W. Hamming Astronomy Center on the former Fort Ord base, MIRA has helped local residents better appreciate the wonders of the night sky.

On Saturday, the institute will host a viewing event for MIRA donors, or Friends of Mira. The event marks the annual Perseid meteor shower, one of the most consistent astronomical events, occurring every year.

To join Friends of MIRA, visit www.mira.org and click the Join MIRA tab.

"It's probably the best shower of the year," said Bruce Weaver, MIRA's director, who along with a group of scientist pals founded privately-run MIRA in 1972.

Those who have contributed to MIRA will get a special treat at Saturday night's viewing party.

MIRA administrator Tami Huntley said the viewing party for Perseid two years ago was a spectacle.

"It is more of a visual spectacular," said Huntley. "I rank it up there with the fireworks display at Disneyland. It's beautiful watching all these meteors zip up through the sky."

In 2011, the brightness of a full moon altered the view of the meteor shower. Regular moonlight is anticipated for this year's event.

You don't have to rely on the observatory's 5,000-foot elevation or 5.5-ton telescope

Advertisement
to enjoy the weekend's light show.

Weaver said the best way to view is to find a very dark sight, away from streetlight.

"You don't have to get too exotic," he said. "The darker the sight is, the more likely you'll see the fainter (meteors)."

The best viewing time is after midnight.

Weaver and other graduate students at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland decided to found their own research observatory in the early 1970s.

"We did a survey of the entire United States

Carmel Intel Science Talent Search finalist Amber Hess joins MIRA astronomer Dr. Arthur Babcock in the telescope control room to image an asteroid named in her honor.
and decided the Los Padres National Forest had some of the best astronomical conditions in the U.S.," Weaver said of the decision to set up camp at Chew's Ridge.

Princeton University donated the 36-inch telescope mirror. The chief engineer at Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose designed the telescope.

In 1984, they opened the Oliver Observing Station. In 1997, they became the first private organization to move into the former U.S. Army facilities on Fort Ord.

In 2011, they renovated one of the four buildings they operate at the former military base.

MIRA's focus is a combination of education and research. Their community work includes public lectures, tours and star parties.

They've managed this all independently.

"We don't belong to any organization. We don't have any way to funnel money from taxpayers into our pockets," said Weaver. "We live on contributions and grants."

Meteor showers are created as the debris left behind by comets pass through the earth's orbit, Weaver said.

One misconception is that meteor showers appear like raining stars.

"You can't see one every minute," he said. "You can see one every 5 or 10 minutes."

Weaver's last bit of advice is, in his opinion, the most important one.

"You just have to be patient," Weaver said.

Follow Marcos Cabrera on Twitter at Twitter.com/MarcosACabrera

If you go

The Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy hosts a Perseid meteor shower watch party for donors Saturday night. To become a Friend of MIRA, visit www.mira.org or call 883-1000.