HAYS — Each August, Earth passes through a stream of dust and debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle Comet. With perfect weather conditions and no light pollution from the moon, the Perseid meteor shower can produce up to 100 shooting stars an hour. 

Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center will host its annual Perseid meteor shower watch party from 8:30-10:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14. Join Wetlands staff for a night of activities, crafts, and shooting stars. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the night sky. 

Come make an Alka-Seltzer rocket, explore how the chemical composition of a meteor affects its color, create a colorful planetary craft, discover if gravity makes a difference in plant growth, and view the constellations and hear the mythology behind them during a planetarium show. Actual meteorite specimens will be on display on loan from the FHSU Sternberg Museum of Natural History. 

Due to COVID-19, the event may change as needed. Masks are required inside the KWEC. There will not be a Hershey S’mores station this year, but a celestial pre-packaged snack will be available. 

The KWEC is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend along K-156 at Cheyenne Bottoms. For more information, visit its website at wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu or call the toll-free telephone number 877-243-9268.