Meteors shot across the sky on Thursday night, as thousands of people lay on their backs deep in the Ramon Crater.
Machtesh Ramon is the world’s largest erosion crater, shaped like a long heart. Deep in the center of it lies Be’erot campsite, the only campsite in the crater, where thousands of people from all walks of life come to enjoy the phenomenon.
It was only one of many sites throughout the country where multitudes went to witness the Perseids meteor shower. It occurs every August, but viewing conditions were considered particularly good this year. Mitzpeh Ramon and the crater are considered especially good spots in Israel to view the meteor show, because there is very little light pollution, which fills the sky with bright stars. Campers bring telescopes to take a peek into the unknown, climbing atop large hills away from the campsite to get better views.
Even before the campsite, just along the crater, many families pitch their tents to watch the bright meteors trail across the sky. Anywhere a tent can be a tent there is, as cars dot the bright and scenic landscape of the desert.
The meteors that are seen before midnight graze along the atmosphere, leaving a colorful trail in their wake. Sometimes “fireballs” can be seen, which are brighter, more colorful meteors that last longer than average ones.
The meteors come from the direction of the constellation of Perseus, which is how they get their name, but all over the sky meteors shower down as families watch from the campsite.
The campsite, Be’erot, features shelters, showers and bathrooms, and a small kiosk to purchase various snacks and goods.
People pitch tents or lay out blankets to stare up at what the cosmos has to offer. And during the peak of the meteor shower, it has much to offer.
Campers wait patiently, cheering wildly when a meteor crosses their vision. It makes the experience a communal one, people joyously ooh-ing and ahh-ing whenever the long trails appear. People grill, sharing steak and potatoes with strangers as children run around the site, making friends with one another.
“This is our first time coming down here,” says Ilana, smiling broadly with her companion. “It was hard to get a spot, because reservations filled up so fast because of the peak.”
Others are seasoned meteor-watchers. “I’ve camped out for the meteor showers all over Israel, but this is the fourth time I’ve gone specifically to Machtesh Ramon for it. There’s nowhere in the country better,” Batya says as she pitches her tent, with assistance from her friends that came down to visit with her.
“There’s lots to do in the area during the day hours as well”
She starts to mention her trip to Alpaca Farm, and her friends agree emphatically, offering to show pictures of the alpacas and llamas that they saw during their day trip.
She’s not the only person that went to Alpaca Farm during the day, as plenty of others decided to make it a destination on their journey. The farm offers a fun, lively experience for people looking for an activity pre-camping.While the farm gets tourists year-round, they’re extra busy as tourists gather in Mitzpe Ramon to watch the night sky.
Many use the daylight hours to go hiking along the numerous trails in the machtesh or to explore other parts of Mitzpe Ramon, such as the museum dedicated to the memory and life of Israel’s only astronaut so far, Ilan Ramon, who was killed in the Columbia space shuttle disaster in 2003.
The museum, located on the edge of the crater, is part of the new visitors center for Machtseh Ramon that also explains the geological phenomenon of the area.
The visitor’s center that greets you when you start the descent is the gateway to the crater. The view of the machtesh is stunning, and the educational aspect is both informative and entertaining.
Overall, it is an experience of a lifetime, driving or hiking down into the massive crater after seeing all that Mitzpe Ramon has to offer. The town itself has several wonderful restaurants, a shopping center, and amenities for those looking to turn their camping trip into a more luxurious vacation.