There are a lot of things in store at Seven
Suites Hotel Observatory this month of August. First of all, a
spectacular 'heavenly' show can be witnessed on August 11-12 as
the Perseids meteor shower will be seen in the sky. And on
August 17, a partial lunar eclipse will be witnessed.
"There will be plenty of meteors - about one
or two every minute, or about 100 per hour. Like all meteor
showers, a particular comet causes the Perseids. This particular
meteor shower comprises debris coming from the Comet
Swift-Tuttle. Just look to the northeast after midnight," said
Ramon Acevedo, Seven Suites' in-house astronomer.
The 'Perseid Earthgrazers' can also be
observed where they will approach the horizon and skim through
the sky overhead like skipping stones over water. They are among
the most beautiful of all meteors. They appear to be long, slow
and colorful.
The partial lunar eclipse is visible before
moonrise on August 17 on the lower western horizon. Its peak
form will occur at 5:10 a.m. with 81 percent of the Moon's
surface being eclipsed.
With the aid of the Seven Suites' telescope, guests will have
the best view. Seven Suites is also one of the best vantage
points to view these celestial spectacles because of its
elevation and advantage to clearer skies as compared to viewing
it in downtown Manila. To make the experience not only
entertaining but informative too, Ramon will also impart some
interesting "galactic" trivia during the meteor shower event.
