TRAVEL & ADVENTUREThere’s no better time than summer to scan the night sky. Many attractions are visible for the naked eye, including Venus and Mars. Pointed inside right direction, an ordinary pair of binoculars can bring Jupiter and Saturn and moons into focus. When you’re equipped with a decent telescope, heaven is truly the limit. And if you need to see some real fireworks this year, make sure to watch the Perseid meteor shower on Aug. 12. Named following the constellation Perseus, this celestial light show occurs the Earth passes by having a trail of debris left through the comet Swift-Tuttle. With up to 60 shooting stars streaking across heaven each hour, it’s one of the primary astronomical events of the year, made all the more spectacular from the darkness of mid-August’s new moon.
Summer can be an ideal time for star parties, when amateur astronomers gather to stargaze. Here’s what’s happening this month:
1. Although purists prefer stargazing from remote places without any urban light pollution, New Yorkers are lining up to buck that trend. Every Tuesday at dusk, weather permitting, the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York hosts Stargazing on the High Line. Experts with high-powered telescopes are always on hand that may help you see beyond the bright city lights.
2. Last year, greater than 1,500 spectators proved for the Julian StarFest. This Aug. 18, you can attend the annual star party in Julian, Calif., presented by the San Diego Astronomy Association. Telescopes are for sale for free, in support of red lights (like those entirely on bikes) or flashlights covered with a red filter are permitted on the StarFest grounds. Give the eyes a few minutes to adjust on the pitch darkness, and enjoy.
3. For stargazers seeking a lengthy getaway, the Hidden Hollow Star Party near Mansfield, Ohio, offers campgrounds, bunkhouses and hot showers, plus a full-on observatory and guest speakers. This year’s festivities, Aug. 17 to 19, also include a NASA Touring Exhibit.
4. Located three miles from your nearest paved road, the Heavens Gate Farm northeast of Barry, Ill., is the ideal spot for your fifth annual Earth Wind and Sky Star Party, Aug. 16 to 19. The secluded 20-acre field offers unobstructed views, but try to arrive before dusk so your headlights don’t obstruct other guests’ night vision.
Safe Boating Tips
Spring is here now, and if you’re a recreational boater, you’re probably raring to get out for the water. Whether you blaze outside seas inside a sleek powerboat or ply the waves with your luxury cabin cruiser, boating safety should be top of mind. Each type of watercraft has its own unique requirements, but here are a few safe boating rules that affect everyone.
1. Inspect your vessel to ensure it’s seaworthy. Look for signs of damage, particularly if you’ve left your boat in the water on the winter months. Pay particular awareness of any through-hull fittings, for example engine-cooling intakes and cockpit drains, which could become cracked or clogged. Make sure that the valves open and shut properly, and try out your bilge pump, too. If blocked with debris or corroded, it won’t function properly.
2. Take time to properly stock your boat with the required safety equipment, including flares and fire extinguishers, and double-check expiration dates.
3. Test your electronic equipment, such as VHF radio, and be sure that everything is in perfect working order.
4. Stock your boat with plenty personal flotation devices (PFDs) for everybody on board. Familiarize yourself with state laws, too: depending for the jurisdiction, kids with a certain age might have to wear your life jacket regardless if the vessel is just not in motion (for details, go to the U.S. Coast Guard’s online Boating Safety Resource Center). Double-check your child hasn’t outgrown the PFD. They come in four graduated sizes determined by weight and must fit snugly to function.
Even the safest boaters sometimes inadvertently come across troubled waters. To find affordable boat insurance that protects you against potential damage or liability, talk with a representative of the GEICO Insurance Agency by calling 1-800-841-0728 or get yourself a free online quote.
Boat and watercraft coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance agencies and secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc
0 comentários:
Post a Comment