http://tinyurl.com/meregdu
August 11, 2013 - KITV.com
...
Astronomers at the
Gemini Observatory in Hilo planned to work during the meteor shower.
The meteors leave behind sodium gas in the atmosphere. Astronomers shoot
lasers into the sodium to make it glow - - creating an artificial star.
Astronomers are able to sharpen the accuracy of their telescopes using the stars.
"Basically,
we look at how the atmosphere distorts a bright star, and then we can
correct that," said Chris Trujillo, an astronomer at the Gemini
Observatory.
...