For Science Lovers..................

For you astronomy lovers, if tonight is clear.................

If you see a meteor flit across the sky tonight or tomorrow, it could be a piece of Halley's comet. Earth is crossing a stream of dusty debris from Halley and this is causing the annual eta Aquarid meteor shower. You may see as many as 15 meteors per hour or less during the dark hours before dawn. Check out spaceweather.com for sky maps and more information.

Also the innermost planet Mercury is emerging from the glare of the sun and putting on its best show of the year. A good time to look is Tuesday Evening, May 6th, just after sunset when the crescent Moon glides by Mercury in the darkening western sky. A sky map and photos are available at spaceweather.com

Lastly, On Saturday May 17 at Island Beach State Park and on Sunday May 18 at the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium on Sandy Hook, you can learn seaside facts at the fifth annual Ocean Fun Days. Both days feature hands-on programs and exhibits, demonstrations, eco-tours and fun activities for children all about the beaches and bays of the Jersey Shore. You and your family can enjoy all this for free including admission into each part! For more information, go to the NJ Marine Sciences Consortium website at www.njmsc.org and look under "News and Events".