If you have clear skies on the nights of August 11th and 12th, look out for the Perseid meteor shower. Scientists say the shower will peak between Wednesday, the 11th, and Saturday, the 14th, with amateur astronomers being able to see up to 100 meteors an hour on Thursday night alone.
The shower is created from the Earth travelling through a river of debris from an ancient comet. This produces the display of shooting stars called the Perseids. The display is thought to be called that because it appears to stream in from the direction of the constellation Perseus. However, can appear in any part of the sky.
The new Moon this week means there will be no overpowering moonlight to spoil the show. If the weather cooperates, you can look forward to viewing many of the bright meteor streaks as they burn up in the upper atmosphere at speeds of more than 225,000 km/h.
You don't need a telescope, though that or a good pair of binoculars, will only enhance the experience. Here in the U.K., we're not holding our breath. The weather is notoriously uncooperative, with the last really good "show" being almost a decade ago. Pity the poor astronomical society.
Anyway, grab a deck chair, comfy blanket, what have you and look up!
Thanks to NASA and EarthSky for the info!
Thank you! I was wondering about this yearly happening, but you are the first, to tell me about this year's. :-)
ReplyDeleteI just love these....we have about the same weather her in the Pacific Northwest as the UK - so I don't get to see many either. But I will definately be out there if there are no clouds. Thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Oh goodness! We live in the country so this should be good =)
ReplyDeleteOoh...I love these too! I like to take a chair out and a wood wick scented candle. Then I sit there staring up at the sky and pretending that the crackling I hear from my WW candle is really a fire. And I just feel so in awe of the universe when you stare out into space. Thanks for the heads up, if it's not too cloudy and rainy here, I will definitely head outside.
ReplyDeleteCertainly a beautiful show and it's free. Wish folks would turn of the tvs and step outside, you'll never know what you will see. Thanks for posting Ali!
ReplyDelete