Mother's Nature's Christmas Lights Display
To mark this year’s most spectacular meteor shower, the Geminids, Elephant Rocks State Park will be open to the public for a rare after-dark event. You’re invited to view this spectacular phenomenon from 5 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Dec. 13. So, if you like stargazing or light shows and are able to brave the cold, come join us at the park to create a lifelong memory.
About the shower:
- The Geminid meteor shower was first reported in 1833 by a riverboat captain traveling on the Mississippi River.
- The shower is dust from an asteroid, not a comet. The asteroid is named 3200 Phaethon.
- The asteroid orbits the sun every 1.4 years and leaves a trail of dust through which the Earth passes every December, resulting in an annual viewing opportunity.
- The shower gets brighter every year as Jupiter’s gravity pulls the dust closer to the Earth.
- The best viewing is high in the southern sky near the constellation Gemini.
Event guidelines and reminders:
- The viewing is free and open to the public; there is no need to register.
- Park staff will be available to direct you to the best and safest areas to view the shower.
- Elephant Rocks is a carry-in, carry-out park; please bring in only what you will be able to carry out when you leave. Trash receptacles will be provided in the parking lot.
- This shower can be viewed with the naked eye. No telescopes or binoculars are needed, but you are welcome to bring yours if you want.
- Attendees are expected to be respectful of others and should avoid excessive noise and use of artificial light.
- No tents or other invasive camping equipment such as lanterns or propane heaters will be allowed, but you can bring portable chairs for seating and blankets to keep warm.
- Absolutely no campfires will be allowed.
- Please remember to dress for the weather. The temperature on the rocks is often lower than than the average local temperature. Even if it is a mild night, you can become chilled by sitting in the park for long periods.
In case of bad weather, the event may be rescheduled for the following night, Sunday, Dec 14. Poor viewing conditions on both nights may result in the event being canceled.
More information is available by calling the park office at 573-546-3454.
Elephant Rocks State Park is located at 7406 Highway 21, Belleview, Missouri.
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