Its formal name is 109P/Swift–Tuttle, but it goes by Comet Swift-Tuttle and will likely end life on our planet, if not for two thousand years. Meanwhile, relax and enjoy 109P’s display of meteoric ice and rock named after the sons of a Greek hero who knew not to look a lady with snake hair in the face. You’ll get the science behind the summer Perseid meteor showers courtesy of UC Irvine Physics and Astronomy grad student Andrew Graus, assuming your orbit includes UCI’s Informal Visitor Night at the campus observatory. Join the free guided viewing of the annual summer fly-by and galactic drop-in, plus his lecture titled “Meteor Showers and Solar System Debris,” just don’t stop by without calling. It’s informal, but you need to RSVP and check the website for driving instructions. But do feel free to BYOT (bring your own telescope).
Sun., Aug. 11, 8-11 p.m., 2013
