meteor shower Archives - GetGoing NC! https://getgoingnc.com/tag/meteor-shower/ Explore the outdoors, discover yourself. Thu, 10 Dec 2015 20:33:08 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 This weekend: Warm days, streaking nights https://getgoingnc.com/2015/12/this-weekend-warm-days-streaking-nights/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-weekend-warm-days-streaking-nights https://getgoingnc.com/2015/12/this-weekend-warm-days-streaking-nights/#respond Thu, 10 Dec 2015 20:33:08 +0000 http://getgoingnc.com/?p=7971 About the only thing this weekend won’t be good for: skiing. Temperatures could hit the mid-70s across much of the state, weather suitable for, say, a 5K at Wrightsville Beach. … Continue reading This weekend: Warm days, streaking nights →

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]]> About the only thing this weekend won’t be good for: skiing. Temperatures could hit the mid-70s across much of the state, weather suitable for, say, a 5K at Wrightsville Beach. Or a plant ID hike in the mountains. Or maybe hanging out after dark and watching the sky spark with the Geminids meteor shower.

WP.CoastCoast

Need to squeeze in one more 5K for the year (even if you aren’t currently be training for a 5K)?

Check out the Jingle Bell 5K Run out of the Wrightsville Beach Museum. (Already it sounds good, taking place on flat-as-an-by Wrightsville Beach). The race is around Wrightsville’s Loop, passing a mix of scenic distractions, from historic cottages to winter marshes. Additional distractions in the form of your fellow runners, who are encouraged to dress in holiday apparel (antlers, Santa Claus, Fred Claus, etc.). Proceeds benefit the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History

Logistics: Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m., Wrightsville Beach Museum, 303 W. Salisbury St., Wrightsville Beach. $15-$30. More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 60 at race time under mostly sunny skies.

* * *

Looking ahead: Huggins Island History Hike, Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. More info here.

Piedmont

Photo courtesy earthsky.org
Photo courtesy earthsky.org

Jumpin’ Geminids!

Yep, it’s that time of year again, when the Geminids meteor showers streak the December night sky. If you’ve ever been frustrated by attempts to view the annual display on your own, or if you’re just into group meteor showers, head to Lake Rim Park in Fayetteville Saturday evening for an old-fashioned viewing. Cosmic experts will be on hand to discuss asteroids, meteorites and comets (and the differences between them). Brink a lawn chair or a blanket — and dig out the Hawaiian short and jams; it’s gonna be warm.

Logistics: Saturday, Dec. 12, 8-10 p.m., Lake Rim Park, 2214 Tar Kiln Dr., Fayetteville.Free. More info here. Check the Environmental Education Centers of North Carolina calendar, here, for more Geminids events around the state.

Saturday forecast: Mostly clear, highs in the upper 50s during the viewing period.

* * *

Looking ahead: First Day Photography Hike, Friday, Jan. 1, 8 a.m., Umstead State Park, Raleigh. More info here.

Mountains

Know your winter greens
Know your winter greens

It’s a welcome sight on a winter’s hike. After miles of gray and brown, you suddenly find yourself immersed in green. It’s a welcome relief and you’d like to pay thanks to these forest dendrozens who maintain a cheerful palette of green no matter the season. Just one thing?

Who are they?

Find out who these standard-bearers of year-round green are on the Winter Plant Hike Saturday at Lake James State Park. Park Ranger Kevin Bischof presides.

Logistics: Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m., Holly Discovery Trailhead at Paddy’s Creek Area, Lake James State Park, 2785 N.C. 126, Nebo. More info at 828.652.5047.

Saturday forecast: High of 60 at hike time (on the way to 73 for the day) under mostly sunny skies.

* * *

Looking ahead: First Day Hike, Jan. 1, 11 a.m., Elk Knob State Park, Todd. More info here.

* * *

Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of coastal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Calendar includes three weekly events for each of its seven markets: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Search by market.

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.

* * *

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]]> https://getgoingnc.com/2015/12/this-weekend-warm-days-streaking-nights/feed/ 0 This weekend: Shoot for the shooting stars https://getgoingnc.com/2013/12/this-weekend-shoot-for-the-shooting-stars/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-weekend-shoot-for-the-shooting-stars https://getgoingnc.com/2013/12/this-weekend-shoot-for-the-shooting-stars/#respond Wed, 11 Dec 2013 20:48:14 +0000 http://getgoingnc.com/?p=6259 No matter where you are, head out Friday night and take in the Geminid meteor shower at its peak. And during the light of day you’ll find lessons to be … Continue reading This weekend: Shoot for the shooting stars →

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photo courtesy the-shooting-star.com

No matter where you are, head out Friday night and take in the Geminid meteor shower at its peak. And during the light of day you’ll find lessons to be learned about snow.

Coast

The Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak Friday evening — and you can have a prime seat at the Dismal Swamp State Park in South Mills. If the conditions are prime, you should be able to see 50 to 100 meteors per hour! This park program starts at 7 p.m.

Logistics: Friday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m., Dismal Swamp State Park, South Mills.

Saturday forecast: Low of 33, mostly cloudy.

Piedmont

The fun begins in the New Hill parking lot.

Sometimes, it’s hard to get the family out on a hike. Sometimes, you need extra incentive. Hidden treasure, for instance. Sunday, there will be incentive aplenty for young hikers on the Winter Scavenger Hunt on the American Tobacco Trail in Apex. Theme: signs of winter.

Logistics: Sunday, Dec. 15, 2 p.m., American Tobacco Trail, meet at the New Hill Parking Area, 1309 New Hill-Olive Chapel Road, Apex. More info: 919.387.4342

Saturday forecast: Hi of 51, 80 percent chance of rain.

Mountains

Snow at Elk Knob (photo courtesy N.C. State Parks)

It snowed Tuesday at Elk Knob State Park north of Boone, which not only makes for a lovely winter landscape, it also plays into Saturday’s “Snow” program at the park. “For humans,” says the program description, “snow can be pretty, fun, annoying, dangerous and many other things. What does it mean for the natural world? How does it form such intricate shapes? Cut out a scientifically correct flake and learn how to preserve real ones. Come find more about this magnificent crystalline wonder.”

Then, after the program, hike in the stuff up to the park’s namesake knob.

Logistics: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2 p.m., Elk Knob State Park, Todd. More info on the park, here.

Saturday forecast: High of 39, chance of precipitation.

* * *

Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Calendar includes three weekly events for each of its seven markets: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Search by market.

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.

* * *

Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too

* * *

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