News Release 437

CATCH A FALLING STAR AT
ONONDAGA CAVE STATE PARK AUG. 9

Volume 36-437

Contact: Sue Holst

(For immediate release)

573-751-6510

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JULY 25, 2008 -- Take a virtual tour of the universe at the Catch a Falling Star: The Perseid Meteor Shower event on Saturday, Aug. 9, at Onondaga Cave State Park near Leasburg.  Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the event begins at 8:30 p.m. in the park's visitor center. It is free and open to the public.

It is unlikely that any of the Perseid meteors, which fall around this time each year, will survive their fiery trip through the Earth's atmosphere to be caught at this event. A park naturalist will explain where they come from and why they come back every year and provide answers to many more astronomy questions. Following the program, weather permitting, visitors will also get a chance to peak at the night sky through the park's telescope. 

Onondaga Cave State Park is located seven miles south on Highway H from the Leasburg exit off Interstate 44 (Exit 214). For more information about the event, contact the park directly at
573-245-6576 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or
800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit the Web at www.mostateparks.com. 

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of upcoming meetings and events in the state park system, visit the online calendar at www.mostateparks.com/events/events.htm.    

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