Astronomy Night - Meteors on the Beach

## Details
Astronomy Night: Peak Leonids' Meteor Shower Beach Observation.

Join us for a night of shooting stars and wish making... ON THE BEACH!!! This event will be held on November 17th, the night the Leonids' Meteor Shower will peak. The waxing gibbous moon will set around 23:00 local time, which afterwards will provide more favorable viewing conditions (weather permitting).

The Leonids are an annual meteor shower associated with the comet Tempel-Tuttle, getting their name from their apparent radiant emanating from the constellation Leo. Leonids are fast moving streams with diameters between 2 mm and 2 cm, which upon encountering Earth's atmosphere impact at speeds around 70 km/s (156,590 mph) (Wikipedia).

Even though I am setting the time for this event between the hours of 21:00 and 24:00 EST., I will stay on site at the event past midnight as more meteors will become visible after the moon sets. If you want to come later that is swank, just let me know! I have several blankets, and will bring some snacks, but if you wanted to bring your own blanket and or snacks to share with the group, that would help tremendously! Just be mindful of beach policies including alcohol, pets and littering. <3

This is a great chance to meet new friends in their 20s & 30s, enjoy Manatee Public Beach at night, and learn and connect with the sky, stars, and everything celestial! Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or just looking for a relaxing way to spend a Tuesday evening with some friends, this no pressure, no stress event will hopefully increase your awareness, knowledge and affinity of the night sky!
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## Event Details:
📅 Date: Tuesday, November 17th, 2026
⏰ Time: Meet at 9:00 PM | Stay until whenever.
📍 Meeting Point: Parking lot at Manatee Public Beach. 4000 State Road 64, Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
📞 Contact: Allen at 703.447.1969
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## What to Expect:
🌟 New friendships with like-minded astronomy lovers.
🌟 No pressure - no stress event.
🌟 Educational / non-formal talk and discussion about celestial phenomena, the science of astronomy, and astrological story telling.
🌟 View shooting stars, meteors, and other celestial objects with the naked eye. ***I will NOT be bringing my telescope to this event.***
🌟 Fresh air, natural-outdoor setting, and peaceful vibes.
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## What will be provided:

• Blankets to lay on
• Water
• Light Snacks / drinks
• Astronomical and / or Astrological discussions
• Opportunity to see, view, and learn about shooting stars and celestial bodies!

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## Inclement Weather:

• Astronomy and stargazing is dependent upon clear skies. If weather forecasting predicts rain or overcast skies, this event may get cancelled or postponed. If inclement weather is in the forecast, I will wait as long as possible to cancel the event. *This might be a game-time decision.* If it is raining, there will be no event, if it is partly cloudy, we might still meet. If necessary, I will post weather updates here the day of.