- #1
Jimmy Snyder
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- 20
Strap on your helmets boys and girls, and keep the dinosaurs inside. The Perseid meteor shower will peak tomorrow night.
lisab said:I didn't quite make it out of bed to see them , but my bf did, for 20 minutes or so. He said it was cool but not really spectacular.
Monique said:I stared up at the sky last night for about 30 minutes and only saw two. The most spectacular was something very bright slowly moving across the sky, not sure what it was.
I thought the same, but it was really bright: a lot brighter than any star in the sky (and I think satellites are quite dim objects?). I thought it could be an airplane flying at a relatively low altitude, but all the airplanes that I saw had blinking lights and this object was just a bright white spot moving from west to east.lisab said:Maybe a satellite?
ISS, maybe. It is quite large, with big solar arrays.Monique said:I thought the same, but it was really bright: a lot brighter than any star in the sky (and I think satellites are quite dim objects?). I thought it could be an airplane flying at a relatively low altitude, but all the airplanes that I saw had blinking lights and this object was just a bright white spot moving from west to east.
turbo said:ISS, maybe. It is quite large, with big solar arrays.
That definitely was a lot cooler than the Perseids, but with the light pollution that was also harder to miss than the shooting stars.When the station passes over it will travel from a westerly direction, heading in an easterly direction. An average good pass can last about 5 minutes.
The ISS looks like an incredibly bright, fast-moving star and can be mistaken for an aircraft. However, the ISS has no flashing lights and it can be much brighter. It seemingly just glides across the sky. source
The Perseids meteor shower occurs every year from mid-July to late August, with its peak usually falling around August 12th. However, the best viewing time can vary depending on the moon's phase and light pollution in your area.
The Perseids are a meteor shower caused by the Earth passing through the debris trail of the comet Swift-Tuttle. These meteors are pieces of dust and rock that burn up in our atmosphere, creating the bright streaks of light we see in the night sky.
The Perseids can be seen from anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, but the best viewing conditions are in dark, rural areas with minimal light pollution. Find an open area with a clear view of the sky, away from city lights, for the best chance to see the meteor shower.
To capture the Perseids in a photograph, you will need a camera with manual settings, a tripod, and a remote shutter release. Set your camera to a long exposure (around 30 seconds), and aim at the sky where the meteors are likely to streak through. Be patient and take multiple shots to increase your chances of capturing a meteor.
While viewing the Perseids, it is important to protect your eyes. You can do this by using a red light to preserve your night vision and avoiding looking directly at any bright lights. Also, dress warmly and bring a blanket or chair to sit on, as meteor watching can take several hours. Finally, be mindful of your surroundings and be aware of any potential hazards in the dark.