Perseids RA: 03:04 DEC: +58°
Annually there are more than 50 documented, separate meteor showers. Of these
the Perseids are one of only three that have 100 or more meteors per hour
(Zenith Hourly Rate) and is the only of the three that does not occur in
winter. If you're going to try to catch a falling star, then this is the
meteor shower to see.
The Perseids are so named because they appear to emanate from the
constellation Perseus. (see image right; credit: Juraj Toth
of Modra Observatory) In reality, the earth passes through the debris of a
long-gone comet, which crossed between Earth and the stars that form the
Perseus constellation. The peak activity level will be during the morning
hours of August 12, although some Perseids can be seen during any dark hours
between July 17 and August 24. (Occasionally, some meteors have been bright
enough to be seen in daylight. See
more on "fireballs" here)
Observing Tips
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If you can manage to get away from city lights, you're likely to see twice
as many meteors. Dark-eye adaption will also greatly enhance your experience.
Have a comfortable place to lie down. Make sure you stay warm (but not so
warm you doze off!) in a coat or sleeping bag, and a healthy amount of bug
spray is advisable.
Did you observe a whopper? Make a note of where in the sky the fireball
started and ended, as well as the time you saw it. You can report it online:
here
or
here.
Your careful observations could be a valuable contribution to the body of
science! For much more information on meteor observation and reporting, check
out The North American Meteor Network
About Meteors
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Meteoroids generally become visible when they strike the Earth's thermosphere,
located at an altitude of about 50 to 75 miles (80-120 km). Once a meteoroid
strikes the atmosphere and creates a brief flash, they are then called meteors.
If a meteor (or pieces of it) manages to survive passing through the atmosphere
and hits the ground, it is called a meteorite.
Meteoroids travel at an impressive speed, usually between 25,000 and 160,000
miles per hour. Since the Earth is moving 67,000 miles per hour around the
Sun, meteoroids have to 'catch up' to the Earth to be seen in our evening
skies, and as a result generally appear slower. In the morning, when the dark
sky is the leading side of the planet, meteoroids appear to strike much
harder and faster in the sky as they are hitting our planet 'head on.'