I really enjoy the Perseids. Nice weather makes them easy to watch, and there are always enough meteors to go around. And the best part? They happen over just a few weeks, which means we don't need to be out in the dark anymore. Because of this, it is my number one choice of meteor shower.
UPDATE: Tuesday, September 8, 12:50A.M. CDT – The Perseids are dead. I had previously intended (in error) to revise this post for the following night when new data was released, but the increase in intensities indicated that the need to revise had become clearer.
The Perseid meteor shower is the most active of all the major meteor showers.
There are five major meteor showers:
The very bursty Pleiades — 25,000 to 30,000 meteors per hour.
The famous Geminids — 10,000 to over 20,000 meteors per hour.
The
This week's display will be bright enough for recreational observer to clearly see the Perseids. One thing to be aware of: Small meteors will appear fainter, not brighter.
If you're curious about observing meteors, when is the best time? Because while you can try to try, that's not always feasible, meteors come in "whole package" manner, so that's when you really want to invest in something that has some ability to produce very reliable data. Some say you can usually expect nice nighttime data. Best as if it is midnight. However, the moment you start looking above the horizon, anything goes. For example, while we all can't see quite as many meteors as a full moon, we can get very good data. Essentially, since these meteors are usually 0.01 through 0.8 meters across, to our naked eye they can be as much as 50 times brighter than a moonless night sky.
Keep in mind that data comes from all locations and exposed locations, so if you're permanently standing inside on a noisy street with a hankering for backyard with your fifteen-year-old daughter/husband, stars seem to be everywhere. You can get data from a super-bright location like the Beltway overnight – just treat the data as suspicious because if you are moving, the meteors are more obvious at your back and dead up close.
As for the best location, it all goes back to your gear. If you want good data and are willing to use lightweight equipment, your number one option is the cabin of a plane. Even the tiny ones will produce
UPDATE: Tuesday, September 8, 12:50A.M. CDT – The Perseids are dead. I had previously intended (in error) to revise this post for the following night when new data was released, but the increase in intensities indicated that the need to revise had become clearer.
The Perseid meteor shower is the most active of all the major meteor showers.
There are five major meteor showers:
The very bursty Pleiades — 25,000 to 30,000 meteors per hour.
The famous Geminids — 10,000 to over 20,000 meteors per hour.
The
This week's display will be bright enough for recreational observer to clearly see the Perseids. One thing to be aware of: Small meteors will appear fainter, not brighter.
If you're curious about observing meteors, when is the best time? Because while you can try to try, that's not always feasible, meteors come in "whole package" manner, so that's when you really want to invest in something that has some ability to produce very reliable data. Some say you can usually expect nice nighttime data. Best as if it is midnight. However, the moment you start looking above the horizon, anything goes. For example, while we all can't see quite as many meteors as a full moon, we can get very good data. Essentially, since these meteors are usually 0.01 through 0.8 meters across, to our naked eye they can be as much as 50 times brighter than a moonless night sky.
Keep in mind that data comes from all locations and exposed locations, so if you're permanently standing inside on a noisy street with a hankering for backyard with your fifteen-year-old daughter/husband, stars seem to be everywhere. You can get data from a super-bright location like the Beltway overnight – just treat the data as suspicious because if you are moving, the meteors are more obvious at your back and dead up close.
As for the best location, it all goes back to your gear. If you want good data and are willing to use lightweight equipment, your number one option is the cabin of a plane. Even the tiny ones will produce
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