Star gazers flock to see celestial fireworks

United News of India

MUMBAI, November 17: Hundreds of people, among them a large number of amateur astronomers from Mumbai, armed with binoculars headed toward the nearest hill stations and other open areas on the outskirts of Mumbai to see the rare sight of celestial fireworks in the sky tonight as the comet Temple-Tuttle entered the earth's atmosphere.

Many amateur astronomers associations and groups chose Wangni in Thane district for its undisturbed open spaces and non-interference of man-made lights, which would provide star gazers a better sight of the phenomenon of shooting stars, nicknamed as Leonid meteor. It is named so because ancient observers thought the meteors came from the constellation Leo. Star gazers also set out for Neral, Matheran, Karjat, Khandala and Lonavla to capture a view of the event occurring once every 33 years.

Former director of Nehru planetarium Dr V S Venkatavardhan said there was great excitement among people to witness the event.

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