Perseids: Here’s how to observe the shower of shooting stars
by Yona Baron
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“Persians”. As poetic as its name is, this annual astronomical phenomenon rain showers It will be especially noticeable at nights August 11, 12 and 13, 2023. In fact, they have been showing up in the sky since the end of July, but now is where the spectacle is most amazing.
Perseids peak will occur in Nights from Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 August,” says Gil Dawidowicz, vice president of French Astronomical Society And the Chairman of the Planetary Committee, call him news.fr.
In the summer, the Earth crosses a cloud of debris causing what is called a swarm, causing these famous supernovae to appear. that’s if The perfect period to look at the sky.
How do Perseids occur?
The variances, Gil Dawidowicz explains, “are the confluence of dust from comets that passed far or far away from Earth a long time ago that left behind a trail of gas and dust called ‘taurus'”.
This dust is moving at 58 km/s, which produces energy and will generate this luminous effect.
Every August, Earth encounters this hoop and debris left by the comet appears as meteors in our skies. He’s the culprit 109P Swift Tuttle Which is the origin of the shower of stars that you will notice.
Swift Tuttle lays 133 years revolves around the sun. The last cut of it dates back to 1992 and will return on July 12, 2126. The track he leaves behind “continues with more or less material.”
Why do Perseids always happen in August?
If this phenomenon occurred in August, it’s just that the comet is like all the planets, it revolves around the Sun. “It is therefore quite stable, which means that every year, it drops the Perseids at the same time,” Gil Dawidovic explains. While the planets form a circle, comets have a somewhat elliptical trajectory.
How well do we notice it?
The show is about to begin Around 10:30 – 11 p.m, as soon as it gets dark. And in order to enjoy them, you do not need binoculars, the parakeets are visible to the naked eye.
depending on the years, 70 to 110 shooting stars Speaking at prime time, remember Stillvision.
The golden rule does not change. To have a good view, “you need a clear horizon,” but above all “to keep away from light pollution,” Gil Dawidowicz recalls. So obviously the sea, the mountains or the countryside are the perfect places.
A shower of shooting stars will sweep across the sky, but we can look more to the northeast.
The moon is on our side
And this year, we’re doubly lucky because the Moon is on our side! And the vice-president of the Astronomical Society in France confirms that “the crescent will be very thin, and therefore it will not light up the sky much.”
This is an opportunity to take pictures with your smartphone and make wishes!
Perseids will still be visible the following nights, Until August 24thin decreasing numbers.
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