Geminid Meteor Shower—Lake Billy Chinook Overlook

Weather looks promising for watching and/or photographing the peak of the prolific Gemini Meteor Shower this Saturday night 12/13. Up to 140 meteors per hour are predicted for the peak hours after midnight. Plus no moon.

The third Rim Overlook above Lake Billy Chinook is selected for watching the skies accompanied by a pleasant landscape. The meteors will generally come from the East. We will generally look to the West, Northwest as they traverse the sky.

Rideshares leave the parking area of the “former” Starbucks in the Cascade Village Shopping Center at 8:15pm. The return to Bend is at MIDNIGHT. Late but the projected frequency of meteors continues to increase till the peak at 1:19am. You're welcome to bring a guest (s) too.

If members prefer to drive themselves, plan to arrive at the overlook by 9pm so your headlights don’t compromise the photography of others. Then when you park, park your car with headlights facing the road so that when you leave you don’t compromise the photography of others.

Screenshots showing data about the meteor shower are in the photo album associated with this outing.

As for photography, it is strongly suggested that an internal or external intervalometer is set up to automatically record consecutive photos to capture as much as possible and to sit back and relax watching the show.

Please bring a comfortable chair, warm clothes, snack, and a blanket as we sit back and visit while the camera (s) automatically take photos for a few hours. There is no restroom at the viewpoint. “Sagebrush” sanitation stations grow nearby for privacy. “Real” restrooms are down the hill near the Lake Billy Chinook day use area.

Our vista will be the third of four overlooks along SW Mountain View Drive in Culver on the rim above Lake Billy Chinook. This road is a right hand turn BEFORE going down the hill to the lake. A Google Map link is at the end of this announcement.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/AagzGFEt3qPRgaWf9?g_st=im