All Eyes Will Be On The Sky

PHUKET: Plans are underway to accommodate local astronomy buffs hoping to catch a glimpse of the Leonids meteorite shower predicted for next week. Sakchai Petchchuay, an astronomy professor at Rajabhat Institute Phuket, will be on hand at the school’s soccer field late Tuesday night and well into the wee hours of Wednesday morning to assist students and residents in spotting the phenomenon, which occurs once every 33 years. The professor said that if clear skies prevail, Phuket residents should have an excellent opportunity to view the shower in the eastern sky. He recommended Laem Promthep on the southern end of the island and Sapan Hin in Phuket Town as prime viewing areas. The meteorite shower is expected to be visible to the naked eye shortly after 12:00 a.m. Wednesday and continue for five hours, according to Professor Sakchai. Viewing should be at its best between 2:30 and 2:45 a.m., he added. The Astronomy Club of Phuket Technical College will be sponsoring overnight “Leonids Meteorite Viewing Parties” at Veerastree Anusorn School in Pa Khlock, (Thalang district), and at Saphan Hin park. Club members are inviting the public to join them in celebrating the long-awaited extravaganza.