It is my pleasure to inform you that the Geminid Meteor observation will be held on the night 13^th December 2008. The location is at my observatory at Pulau Betong, Penang.

The observation is through out the night. You can arrive at any time after 9pm.

It’s open to everyone.

Drop me a mail at [email protected] if you wish to come or need information on the event.

For those who are not aware of the meteor shower, a meteor shower is an event when you can see more meteors per night than usual. On average, we can see about 8 meteors every hour. However, during the meteor shower, do expect to see 25 or more per hour. One of the best such event is happening on the 13th December.

Our record was over 500 per night in December 2004. Unfortunately, we are not so lucky this time around. The almost full Moon will be in the sky that night. The moonlight will wash out all but the bright meteors.

Still it will be an interesting event to watch. It will be happening on the weekend, so more people can join in the fun. While doing meteor observation, we can also see the Moon, Saturn, Orion constellation, the “Seven Sisters” star cluster and other interesting objects in the sky. The USM Astronomy Club will set up several telescopes for the public.

DIRECTION

Please download the map here.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z85/perseid/obsmap.jpg

If you are coming from Relau/Paya Terubong

As you reach the town of Balik Pulau, there is a small roundabout. Continue to go straight (12 o’clock) passing through the roundabout, heading towards Teluk Kumbar/Bayan Lepas.

Drive around 2 kilometers.

You’ll pass the Balik Pulau Police Station on the right and then a Petronas Station on the left. Soon after the station, look out for Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara. It’s a big building on the left.

Keep right. There is a small junction at the right. Turn into the junction. You will immediately pass under an arch. This is the town of Ginting. After the arch, you’ll reach a 4 way junction. Turn left toward Kem Bina Negara/Pulau Betong.

Continue for about 3 kilometers. After 2 km, look for a police base on the left. Once you pass the base, slow down. The observatory is on the right.

Turn right and park your car.

Note: It’s a small, private observatory. You’ve to look real hard to spot it !!!

If you are coming from Bayan Lepas/Airport

Continue pass the airport towards Balik Pulau. You’ll pass through the town of Sungai Batu and Teluk Kumbar. After several kilometers from Teluk Kumbar, you’ll go along a winding road, up hill with construction works. Watch out as some stretches of the road are quite narrow and have traffic lights.

Go along the winding road for about 8 kilometers.

As you are coming out of the winding road, watch out for a small junction on the left.

Turn into the junction. You will immediately pass under an arch. This is the town of Ginting. After the arch, you’ll reach a 4 way junction. Turn left toward Kem Bina Negara/Pulau Betong.

 

Continue for about 3 kilometers. After 2 km, look for a police base on the left. Once you pass the base, slow down. The observatory is on the right.

 

Turn right and park your car.

 

Note: It’s a small, private observatory. You’ve to look real hard to spot it !!!

 

PLEASE CALL ME AT

012-431 7980

if you need assistance.