Meteor shower 13. What was the Perseid meteor shower like this night?
The mesmerizing beauty of the Perseid meteor shower
On the night of August 12-13, in the skies over Eastern Europe it will be possible to observe such a natural phenomenon as the Perseid meteor shower, reports Telegraph. In particular, up to 60 meteorites per hour will be visible in the Latvian sky. Given that there will be a full moon, only the brightest “shooting stars” will be visible from the ground.
The Perseid meteor shower, the most famous of all, or rather, meteor showers, is formed by the remnants of the cometary “tail” of Comet Swift-Tuttle. Every year it appears in August from the direction of the constellation Perseus, which is why it got its name. The comet itself approaches the Earth only once every 135 years, but the Earth passes through its tail every year. As a comet approaches the Sun, it heats up, scattering small particles of ice and dust into interplanetary space, which, under the influence of the solar wind, move from the center of the solar system.
A meteoroid is a piece of rock or a collection of dust in outer space. The Earth's surface is constantly bombarded by celestial bodies of various sizes. When particles enter the Earth's atmosphere, they heat up and burn or evaporate, leaving behind a bright trail - a meteor. A meteor is a light phenomenon that occurs at an altitude of 80 km to 130 km from the Earth's surface when particles - meteoroids - invade the Earth's atmosphere.
The comet's tail is made up of tiny particles of ice, dust and rock that were ejected into interplanetary space from the comet's nucleus. When the Earth, on its way around the Sun, encounters these particles, they penetrate the atmosphere at a speed of more than 150 thousand km/h (the average speed of the Perseids is 210 thousand km/h). They draw either straight solid or broken lines, or flare up in the form of a string, and sometimes even in the form of one or more fireballs.
In the northern hemisphere, they can be observed starting on July 23, when one meteor passes by per hour or more. Over the next three weeks, their number gradually increases. At the beginning of August you can see 5 meteors per hour and about 15 per hour by August 10th. Their numbers increase sharply to 50-80 meteors per hour on the night of August 12-13 and then quickly decrease to 10 per hour by August 15th. The last night to observe this meteor shower is usually August 22-24, when approximately 1 meteor can be seen per hour.
There are other less intense meteor showers that appear at the same time as the Perseids, but the Perseids typically move across the sky much faster than meteors from other showers. In fact, the Perseids are the fastest meteor shower we see every year.
It is best to watch the “star shower” in a dimly lit place, with a good view of the sky.
Where are the Perseids more visible?
“We expect that the peak of activity - approximately 100 meteors per hour - will be reached on August 12-13. Unfortunately, most of these meteors will not be visible due to the bright light of the moon, which will enter its full moon phase on August 13,” the International Meteor Organization said in a forecast.
Currently, the activity of the stream is slowly growing - according to data on August 9, it was about 20 meteors per hour. “It increases until about the 16th, and then within two days it drops sharply, almost to zero. After the 18th there will be almost nothing left,” Alexander Bagrov, leading researcher at the Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences (INASAN), told RIA Novosti.
“The moon will interfere, but we will still see the brightest meteors. The main thing when you see a shooting star is to make a wish,” the scientist said.
Meteors occur when microscopic particles enter the atmosphere and burn up. Star showers are typically associated with Earth passing through streams of particles left behind by comets.
Let us remind you that the last time the inhabitants of the planet could observe the strongest meteor shower was on the night of December 14-15, when our planet passed through the strongest Geminids meteor shower.
The Perseids are the most famous of all meteor showers.
This meteor shower gets the name "Perseids" because it appears to be raining from the constellation Perseus. An observer in the Northern Hemisphere may begin to see Perseid meteors around July 23, when approximately one meteor is visible every hour. Over the next three weeks, their frequency gradually increases. Five Perseids per hour in early August and on August 10, the frequency of the Perseid star shower quickly rises to a maximum of 50-80 meteors per hour by the night of August 12/13, and then quickly decreases to around 10 meteors per hour on August 15. The last night that rain from this meteor shower is still visible is August 22, when an observer can see the Perseids every hour or so.
For observers in the southern hemisphere, the Perseid radiant never rises above the horizon, which significantly reduces the number of Perseid meteors you are likely to see. However, in the southern hemisphere, at night, a maximum of 10-15 meteors per hour can be seen coming from the northern horizon.
There are other, weaker meteor showers in August along with the Perseids, but the Perseids typically move across the sky much faster than meteors from other showers. If you're not sure where the constellation Perseus is in the sky, this picture will help you find them in the Northern Hemisphere:
Perseid Locations For Northern Hemisphere Observers
This is a mid-northern latitude view at approximately 2:00 a.m. local time around August 12-13. The red line at the bottom of the image represents the horizon line. (Image created using SkyChart III and Adobe Photoshop).
Comet Swift-Tuttle, discovered in 1862, is responsible for the Perseid starfall. It generates meteors, which, from the point of view of an earthly observer, fly from a point (radiant) in the constellation Perseus, from which the meteor shower got its name. This is one of the most powerful showers, which in the 1990s generated a real shower of stars, when more than 400 meteors could be counted in an hour.
In recent years, the intensity of the Perseids has decreased somewhat, but the stream remains one of the leaders in power. IMO experts predict that this year the number of meteors during the maximum period will be about 100 per hour.
Astronomy lovers can expect interesting and unusual cosmic phenomena this winter. On December 13, there will be a meteor shower that can be seen from any continent. Also, in January, the inhabitants of the Earth will be able to see two supermoons - the Earth’s satellite will become much closer and brighter.
Scientists recommend that lovers of cosmic and astronomical events put off sleep on the night of December 13 and take a closer look at the sky, as the Earth will pass through the Geminids meteor shower. This phenomenon is one of the most powerful; bright flashes will literally shower the sky. Astronomers consider the December meteor shower to be one of the most significant events, and recommend waiting until midnight to clearly see all the beauty of the starfall. At this time, the Moon will disappear behind the horizon, and its light will not block the starlight. The meteor shower will be quite strong and bright, so you can observe it without special instruments, throughout the night, from anywhere in the northern hemisphere of the planet. It is also advisable to travel outside the city, to an area not crowded with street lamps, car headlights, spotlights, etc.
Mid-December is the traditional time for the Geminids. Most often, meteors move at a speed of 35 km/sec, with a frequency of up to 100 fireballs in 60 minutes. The stars do not move towards the Earth, but catch up with it. This direction and low speed allow you to fully appreciate the beauty of the starfall. The flight of meteors can be observed from December 4-6 to December 17-19. The epicenter of the starfall traditionally falls on the 13th day of the first month of winter. It is noteworthy that since the opening of the stream, its activity has increased every year more and more. When astronomers first discovered the Geminids meteor shower, the fall rate did not exceed 15 meteors per hour. Experts are still at a loss to answer what caused this, but they suggest that the abundance of meteors is temporary. Perhaps, by the end of this century, the frequency of meteor falls will decrease again, which is why starfall is attracting such interest and attention of scientists.
In 2011, the Geminids became one of the brightest showers, as about 200 stars could be seen falling within an hour. The Geminids star stream is born from the ejection of small particles by the celestial body Phaethon, which is believed to have been a comet. The phaeton, making a revolution around the Sun, approaches it at an extremely close distance. Scientists suggest that due to this distance, the former comet lost its icy tail and turned into something between a comet and an asteroid. This celestial body is very young. Studies of small particles have shown that their age does not exceed 1000 years, and the meteor shower itself was discovered at the end of the twentieth century. Since then, the movement of Geminids meteors has been considered the most abundant, surpassing the traditional August Perseid meteor shower.
Another exciting cosmic phenomenon occurred on the night of December 4th. The Moon has reduced its distance from the Earth to 357,492 kilometers, making it 30% brighter and 14% brighter than usual. Netizens from all over the world share photos on social networks and never cease to describe their impressions of what they saw in the comments. The so-called supermoon delighted residents of the Philippines, China, Myanmar and Russia. The American TV channel ABS News published a video in accelerated mode of the supermoon, which was observed in the state of Rhode Island.
NASA experts report that the supermoon is a very significant phenomenon in the field of astronomy. At this time, New Zealanders could observe both the Sun and the Moon in the sky at the same time. Until December 6, residents of Kazakhstan, the eastern part of Russia and the northern part of Canada have the same opportunity. In addition to the fact that the supermoon looks larger than usual, its color becomes bright orange and it may seem to a person that it is very easy to reach the satellite with his hand. This is the main difference between a supermoon and a full moon.
For those who missed this astronomical phenomenon, experts are in a hurry to report good news. In January, the inhabitants of the Earth will have this opportunity two more times. During this period, the Moon moves along an elliptical axis, so at a certain period its distance from the Earth will decrease again. On January 3 and 31, the supermoon will repeat, but the satellite itself will take on a rather unusual appearance. At the beginning of January, its color will become a cold blue, at the end of the month the shade will be more saturated; in astronomy this is called the “blue blood of the Moon.” The changes are due to the fact that due to the approach to our planet, it will be reflected more clearly in the Moon. On the night of January 31, the Earth, Moon and Sun will line up in one trajectory, so the inhabitants of our planet will be able to observe a lunar eclipse.
It is known that the Moon has a certain effect on human health and well-being. Therefore, the fact that the Earth’s satellite will be as close as possible cannot but cause concern. According to expert research, people who are weather sensitive and suffer from sleepwalking should exercise maximum caution. It’s better not to drive, not to make important decisions, and to postpone long night trips. Experts also advise not to take valuables and large sums of money with you, as during this period people become more absent-minded. But not only people are influenced by the Moon. Scientists have noticed strange behavior of animals during the supermoon. Domestic animals neglect food and mostly sleep, and wild animals become more aggressive.
The Perseids are a meteor shower that can be observed from Earth every year in August. This time, astronomers say, the stars will fall especially beautifully: the stream promises to reach 60 meteors per hour.
The annual meteor shower is the result of the Earth passing through the tail of Comet Swift-Tuttle, causing bright flying flashes that, in Earth's microscopes, look like they come from the constellation Perseus, writes The Daily Mail. And this year you have the opportunity to get your best look at the Perseids.
The meteor shower will peak this weekend, between August 12th and 13th, when moonless nights will provide perfectly dark skies for all viewers. The peak will begin at 4 p.m. East Coast time on Sunday and continue until 4 a.m. Monday, according to NASA.
Shooting stars will be visible north and south of the equator, but viewers at mid-northern latitudes will get the best views. This means that the United States, Europe and Canada will be able to see the Perseids from the best possible angle. Mexico, Central America, Asia, most of Africa and some regions of South America will be able to observe the flow.
For viewers in southern latitudes, shooting stars will begin appearing in the sky around midnight and continue into the morning.
If you are lucky, you may see the so-called "earth moons" - these are bright colored meteorites that appear slowly in the sky and float horizontally in the sky shortly before midnight.
In 2018, the event will coincide with the new moon, when the moon is almost invisible in the sky. Therefore, according to NASA representatives, this is “the best meteor shower of the year” and is definitely worth seeing.
You don't need binoculars to stargaze. There is no need to look for the constellation Perseus in the sky. Just raise your head. NASA says that "you can look wherever you want to see the Perseids, even just overhead."
Typically, a meteor shower brings 60-70 shooting stars per hour, but in some years there have been more. By the way, if you can’t see the stars over the weekend, there is good news: you can watch the Perseids until August 24, although not in such a busy stream.
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The Perseids are a meteor shower that can be observed in August every year. It is reported that this year the meteor shower will be very colorful and you should not miss the opportunity to admire it.
Where on the planet will the meteor shower be visible?
The reason for this is that the Earth passes through the tail of comet Swift-Tuttle: it enters the constellation Perseus. Astronomers believe that this year the peak of this phenomenon will fall on August 12-13. The best way to observe the starfall is to the north and south of the equator. The most beautiful view of this phenomenon is promised to residents of the mid-northern latitudes. Thus, the USA, Canada and European countries will have an excellent opportunity to see the starfall in all its glory. In addition, it will be possible to observe this phenomenon from Mexico, Asia, Central America and Africa. Similar phenomena can be observed in the starry sky until August 24. However, the peak of activity will occur on the 12th and 13th.
When is the best time to watch a starfall?
NASA says it's best to start observing after dusk and enjoy the view until dawn. Also this year, the meteor shower coincided with the new moon phase: for this reason, the sky will be very dark, which will allow for a better view of the starfall. Observers will be very lucky, since they will not need telescopes and binoculars to view the phenomenon. It will be enough just to watch the night sky. Of course, outside the city, where there is less light, you will have the opportunity to see everything much more colorful.
Starfall or meteor shower: why do we observe such a phenomenon?
Don't forget that it's not really the stars that will fall from the sky. This name is tied to the meteorite shower. Meteorites themselves are an accumulation of cosmic dust and ice. Approaching the Sun, they heat up, and the ice begins to melt, and once they enter the Earth’s atmosphere, they flare up, which allows us to observe such a wonderful process in the sky.
Astrologers are of the opinion that meteorites carry streams of energy. What this energy is depends on the processes in space, and on which constellations the flight is made through. Therefore, it is likely that the sign of making a wish on a shooting star is not so meaningless. Roughly speaking, celestial bodies that have their own energy will help us in making our dreams come true.
Of course, star rain is a very interesting phenomenon and many people like to watch it. For this reason, in the coming days, lovers of this kind of thing should not miss the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful view of the starry sky. Such phenomena are of interest not only to astronomers, but also to ordinary people - it is definitely fascinating and impressive. And, of course, don’t forget about romance: it’s very touching to look at shooting stars next to your loved one.
