The annual Perseid meteor shower is already putting on an excellent show, and the celestial fireworks have yet to peak. The main event is tonight. Meanwhile, a delightfully tight configuration of planets graces the evening sky.
Rarely has there been a better time to go out, look up and enjoy easy-to-watch cosmic spectacles.
Across the Northern Hemisphere, the best time to watch the Perseid meteor shower will be tonight through the pre-dawn hours local time Friday, regardless of where you live. Weather permitting, patient skywatchers could see a shooting star every minute or so...
Also, the official Meteorwatch trailer for the 2010 Perseid Meteor Shower:
spaced out Member
Posts: 3110 From: Paris, France Registered: Aug 2003
posted 08-12-2010 10:41 AM
I know I'm probably preaching to the converted here, but if you've never seen a shooting star that crosses half the sky and which leaves a Disney-style glittering trail behind it (albeit only for a few seconds) then you owe it to yourself to sit out for a few hours and watch the Perseids.
Even a regular shooting star is a pleasure to see but if you give it enough time at the peak of the Perseids you should be lucky enough to see a few meteors that take your breath away.
AJ Member
Posts: 511 From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States Registered: Feb 2009
posted 08-12-2010 02:40 PM
I saw a huge one Tuesday night that was so amazing the only words out of my mouth were unfit to print.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
I am asked this question over and over again, and it's a good one. Everyone knows that you have to be in the right place to observe solar eclipses and other astronomical goings-on, so why should meteor showers be any different?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-13-2010 03:39 AM
Went outside between 3:00 and 3:30 a.m. local and averaged seeing about one per every other minute. Had mostly clear skies but significant light pollution.
I saw one really bright "oooh, ahhh" meteor; most though were peripherally caught quick streaks.
cspg Member
Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted 08-13-2010 08:56 AM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: I saw one really bright "oooh, ahhh" meteor; most though were peripherally caught quick streaks.
What's "oooh, ahhh" meteor? (I'd like to stop scratching my head over this, thanks).
Saw a really neat one (I think it was last week), real bright, fainted a bit, and then bright again. Cool. Lots of satellites passing overhead as well - more satellites than shooting stars! For once we had dark skies (the only thing I miss about southern France) and I was out figuring stars that make out the Summer Triangle (Deneb, Vega and Altair) and where was Arcturus.
There were also hedgehogs - but that's too down to Earth!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-13-2010 09:05 AM
quote:Originally posted by cspg: What's "oooh, ahhh" meteor?
It's a shooting star that makes you go "Oooh!" when you first see it and "ahhh" after it passes...
spaced out Member
Posts: 3110 From: Paris, France Registered: Aug 2003
posted 08-13-2010 10:07 AM
I was lucky enough to be in Provence last year for the Perseids. I was lying out by the pool watching the meteors whilst on the terrace of the neighboring house there was a group of people eating and drinking oblivious to the whole thing.
Eventually one particular meteor lit up the whole sky like a spotlight and left a shimmering trail behind it. From next door's table came a collective gasp of "ooohs" and "ahhhs".
Those people had no idea what the Perseids were, and no scientific training, but they still managed to correctly classify that particular one as an "oooh, ahhh" meteor.
posted 08-12-2010 09:06 AM
advertisement