Meteor Shower 13. Perseid Meteor Shower This Weekend

Starfall is an annual event when the Earth passes through the orbit of Comet Swift-Tuttle, which is part of the constellation Perseus.

What is commonly called a meteor shower is debris from a comet - dust particles ranging in size from a grain of sand to a pea. They burn up when they come into contact with the Earth's atmosphere, leaving behind bright flashes and streaks in the sky.

When and what time can you “lay in wait” for the Perseids?

Starfall can be observed throughout Russia, as well as on the east coast of the United States.

During a meteorite shower, you need to look at the northern part of the sky. Let the North Star be your guide. From it there are two stars in a straight line, to the right towards the constellation Cassiopeia, which is in the shape of the letter “W”. From Cassiopeia down to the first star of Perseus from Cassiopeia - Mirfak.

It is worth noting that in occultism “shooting stars” are associated with making wishes. According to esotericists, observing the flow of meteorites serves as a kind of meditation.

According to astrologers, during the period of starfall, the symbolic properties of Uranus will increase many times over. Revolutionary events and unexpected meetings will occur. Each zodiac sign should prepare for surprises that may happen at this time.

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. According to NASA, the peak will begin at 4 p.m. time east coast US on Sunday and continues until 4 a.m. Monday.

Shooting stars will be visible north and south of the equator, but best view will be received by viewers watching the stream at mid-northern latitudes. 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 this weekend, there are good news: It will be possible to observe the Perseids until August 24, although not in such a saturated stream.

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Telescopes and other astronomical instruments are not required to observe a meteor shower, so anyone can enjoy the night star spectacle of summer. It is better to conduct observation in nature, for example, in a field, in a country house or in a village. However, clouds and rain can interfere even there. It is believed that meteorite showers have a very beneficial effect on human energy. During a starfall, it is also customary to make wishes.

For the observer in middle lane Around midnight in Russia, the constellation Perseus is located in the northeastern part of the sky. In the evening it begins its journey from the eastern horizon, rising very high in the morning, so that “shooting stars” become visible throughout the sky.

History of the discovery of the Perseids

The name Perseids comes from the name of the constellation Perseus. The Perseid meteor shower has been known to humanity for about 2 thousand years. The first mention of them is contained in Chinese historical annals dating back to 36 AD. The Perseids were also often mentioned in Japanese and Korean chronicles of the 8th-11th centuries. In Europe, the Perseids were called the "Tears of St. Lawrence" because the St. Lawrence Festival, which takes place in Italy, falls during the most active period of the meteor shower - August 10.

The Perseids are a meteor shower that can be observed in August every year. It is reported that this year's 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. Most beautiful view This phenomenon is promised to residents of 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 falling star is not so meaningless. Roughly speaking, they will help us make our dreams come true celestial bodies having their own energy.
Of course, star rain is a very interesting phenomenon and many people like to watch it. For this reason, in the coming days, fans of this kind of thing should not miss the opportunity to enjoy beautiful view in 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.

Meteor shower occurs in August every year: recommendations from experts

The Perseid meteor shower is expected this weekend. It will peak on Saturday and Sunday (August 11 and 12, 2018). This means it’s time to raise your eyes to the sky and watch hundreds of shooting stars in the night sky. And you don't need any special one good review to see this “starfall”.

This always happens in August: you just need to go outside, lie on your back and look up. Bill Cook, head of NASA's Meteoroid Environments office at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, said, "You don't need binoculars and you don't need a telescope to see a meteor shower."

• City lights interfere with the meteor shower. The star shower is best seen from a dark area.
• Give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the dark sky. Don't expect to walk outside and immediately see the Perseids.
• The best time to see the Perseids is 2 am (local time), when the constellation Perseus is high in the sky.

This year the spectacle will be especially stunning, in part because the moon will be a thin crescent and will be in its waxing phase, leaving the dark night sky open for stargazing. In past years there haven't been as many shooting stars visible (although 2016 saw approximately 200 visible meteors per hour), this weekend there will be more visible than on a normal night, and that's with only 60 to 70 meteors per hour (literally a handful of meteorites).

For a long time, earthlings have treated the dazzling meteor shower with special trepidation. Shooting stars were called Perseids because their flying flashes come as if from the direction of the constellation Perseus. What causes the Perseids? It's all due to the tail of comet Swift-Tuttle. The comet itself completes its 133-year journey around the sun, but leaves a trail of rocky sand.

Every summer, the Earth makes its way along this thick trail (this year it entered the trail on July 17, and will leave it on August 24), allowing the comet debris to burn up in the atmosphere of our planet. As space rocks burn, they create a bright streak of light known as meteors or shooting stars, fire rain or shooting stars.

This weekend our planet will be passing through the densest and dustiest part of the trail. While the Perseid meteor shower begins its real show, starburst activity will occur on the night of August 12-13.

Meteor showers are more visible from northern hemisphere and some mid-southern latitudes. Photographers planning to capture the night sky with the Perseids should mount their camera on a tripod and shoot with long exposures lasting anywhere from a few seconds to a minute. But not longer, otherwise the rotation of the stars may block the streaks of the stars' shots.