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BBC News
21 hours ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Perseid Meteor Shower: When can I see it?
Stargazers in the UK can look forward to a spectacular celestial treat over the next five weeks as the Perseid meteor shower streaks across the night is one of the brightest and fastest meteor showers of the year and occurs when Earth passes through the debris of Comet 109P/ shower will be active from 17 July until 24 August but the cloud and thundery downpours expected to arrive across the UK over the weekend mean you may need to wait until next week for optimal viewing conditions. What is the Perseid meteor shower and how can I see it? Meteor showers happen when dust from a passing comet or asteroid passes through the Earth's atmosphere. The tiny particles - roughly the size of a grain of sand - vaporise creating visible streaks of the most dense parts of the dust stream more meteors are 109P/Swift-Tuttle is a 'periodic' comet meaning it has an orbit of less than 200 years. It was first discovered by Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle - hence the find the Perseid meteor shower it is best to look for the point in the sky where they appear to originate from - known as the radiant - which for this one is in the constellation of Perseus. It should be easiest to spot a meteor in the northern hemisphere between midnight and an hour before sunrise, but of course it's all dependent on the cloud cover so it is worth checking the weather where you on the BBC Weather app or website first. Ideal conditions for viewing are a dark, clear sky with a wide unobstructed view. You don't need binoculars or a further away from light pollution you are the better chance you will have of seeing the meteors but you might need to give your eyes time to adapt to the lower light. When will the shower peak? The number of meteors will increase every night until the Perseids reach their climax on 12 August, however, the full Moon on 9 August may make the showers harder to see due to the increased during this time you would be able to see up to 150 meteors per hour. Fireballs which are larger and brighter explosions of light and colour and last longer than an average streak should also appear, as well as meteors with long trains.A new Moon on 24 July means skies will be darker during this time, which should make the meteor showers easier to view ahead of their peak - depending of course, on the can check the conditions where you are at BBC Weather online, or on the app.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Science
- USA Today
Stargazers' delight: When and where to view July's major meteor showers.
It's time to look up at the night sky again. You'll soon be able to see two major meteor showers: ◾ The first shower: The Southern Delta Aquariids will be active from July 18 to Aug. 12. It's expected to peak on July 29-30, according to the American Meteor Society. ◾ The second shower: The Perseid meteor shower, the largest of the two, will be active from July 17 to Aug. 23. It's expected to peak on Aug. 12 and 13, but the viewing experience may be diminished by the moon's brightness. Here's where and when you can test your stargazing skills and catch a glimpse of these popular meteor showers Where to see Southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower Between July 18 and Aug. 12, you can see the Southern Delta Aquariids shower in the Northern Hemisphere by looking to the south. Under dark skies, the shower can have a maximum hourly rate of 15-20 meteors. It occurs at the beginning of the Perseids. Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. Comet of origin for Southern Delta Aquariids The source of the Southern Delta Aquariids is a comet, just like other meteor showers. Comet 96P/Machholz is thought to be the source of the shower. According to EarthSky, this comet was discovered in 1986 and is noted for leaving a track of debris as it orbits the sun. More: People reported earthquakes and fire in the sky. It was probably a meteor. Where to see the Perseid meteor shower The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most impressive in the Northern Hemisphere. It will be active between July 14 to Sept. 1 and is expected to peak on the evenings of Aug. 12 and 13. The bright waning gibbous moon may impede your view as it peaks. You have the best chance of viewing meteors right before dawn. That's because the Perseids' radiant point, which is where the meteors seem to come from, is at its highest in the sky, according to EarthSky. Rural areas often see between 50 and 75 meteors per hour, according to the American Meteor Society. To get a view of it, look toward the northeast, toward the constellation Perseus. Comet of origin for Perseids The Comet Swift-Tuttle is the source of the Perseid meteor shower. According to NASA, the comet was discovered by American astronomers Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle in 1862. The space debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet interacts with our atmosphere to produce the well-known Perseid meteor shower. Which meteor shower has the brightest meteors? The most active and spectacular meteor showers are usually thought to be the Perseids and Geminids. The Geminids are active on the chilly days of December, while the Perseids peak on warm August nights, making them easier to observe. How to best view a meteor shower Tips on how to catch the best views of a meteor shower, according to EarthSky. ◾Location, location, location: Find a spot away from city lights, locate the radiant in the sky and get comfortable. ◾No lights: Your eyes will need to adjust to the darkness, which could take 15 to 20 minutes. ◾Dress for the weather: Bring blankets or a camping chair to make the viewing comfortable. ◾Relax: Chill and take in the evening's sky. Not all meteor showers are spectacular.
4 days ago
- Science
The Perseids, considered the best meteor shower of the year, are about to begin
The Perseids, considered by astronomers to be the best meteor shower of the year, are about to begin. The meteor shower occurs annually from about July 17 to Aug. 23, typically peaking in mid-August, according to the American Meteor Society. Its "swift and bright" meteors often leave long "wakes" of light and color behind as they streak through the Earth's atmosphere, leading to the best annual display of meteors, astronomers say. The Perseids are also known for their fireballs, which are larger explosions of light and color that persist longer than an average meteor streak, according to NASA. Fireballs are brighter and originate from larger particles of cometary material. Under a dark sky, the Perseids can produce between 50 and 100 meteors per hour, according to NASA. And because they occur during the summer, it allows viewers warm nighttime weather to comfortably watch them. Where do the Perseids come from? The Perseids originate from the debris left behind by the Comet Swift-Tuttle as it orbits the sun every 133 years. The large comet, with a nucleus of 16 miles, is estimated to be twice the size of the object hypothesized to have led to the extinction of dinosaurs, according to NASA. It was discovered in 1862 by Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle and last visited the inner solar system in 1992. When comets come around the sun, the dust they emit forms a trail, which then manifests as fiery and colorful streaks in the sky. as the debris collides with Earth's atmosphere. How to watch the Perseid meteor shower The Perseids can be viewed all over the night sky, but they are best seen from the Northern Hemisphere in the pre-dawn hours, according to NASA. To find the meteor shower, look toward the constellation Perseus, where the radiant of the Perseids appear to originate from. For best viewing, NASA advises spectators to lie flat on their back in a region away from light pollution. Meteors should be visible after about 30 minutes, when eyes adjust to the dark. This year, the meteor shower expected to peak around Aug. 12, according to
