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Perseids Meteor Shower
Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes
Right now, we are in a very interesting time in history. We’re not traveling, staying home more, and trying to learn life in this new normal. There are still amazing experiences that can be had while social distancing and one of those experiences is coming up very soon, The Perseids Meteor Shower.
For this episode of Experiences You Should Have, my guest is Nick Strobel. He has been teaching astronomy at Bakersfield College for 24 years and is the director of the William M Thomas Planetarium at Bakersfield College. He has his PhD in Astronomy from the University of Washington and he is the author of the Astronomy Notes website.
What is the Perseids Meteor Shower?
The Perseids meteor shower is essentially the earth running through the dust trail left behind a comet, Swift-Tuttle. While the Swift-Tuttle orbit takes 133 years to orbit the sun, Earth intersects with its debris trail, causing us to see shooting stars every August.
@Horizon Systems / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
How Does Perseids Meteor Shower Get its Name?
The meteor shower looks like it radiates from the constellation, Perseus, hence the name Perseids Meteor Shower. That said, meteors come flying across the sky in many directions.
When is the 2020 Perseids Meteor Shower and When does it peak?
The Perseids meteor shower runs mid-July through mid-August. The 2020 Perseid meteor shower will peak on August 11th and 12th. Because of the position of the moon this year, it's recommended to watch it before midnight.
Long time exposure night landscape with Milky Way Galaxy during the Perseids flow above the Beglik dam in Rhodopi Mountains, Bulgaria
How do you find dark sky to Watch it?
You want to go to a place where you can see the Milky Way and see the Little Dipper (not the big dipper). Ideally, you want to be in an area with elevation, so if you live in a valley, it's best to get to higher ground for viewing. While this list isn't comprehensive, it does list good dark sky viewing areas around the world.
Another option is to get in touch with your local astronomy club. They can point you in the right direction and provide some good viewing spots. Local to you.
If you find dark sky you may see 40-60 meteors per hour when it peaks.
Tips for watching the Perseids Meteor Shower
* Leave your telescope or binoculars at home, it's not needed to see Perseids.* Go to an area with dark sky, where you can view the little dipper.* In 2020, watch on August 11th or 12th at night before midnight.* Get a nice comfortable blanket or a chair that can lean back for good viewing.* Bring a friend to help you stay awake and help spot meteors flash across the sky.
Asteroid Vs Meteoroid Vs Meteor Vs Meteorite vs Comet
An Asteroid is any space rock that is larger than a meter across. A meteroid would be smaller than a meter. While its in space, it is still a meteroid. As that meteroid (or piece of it) passes through the atmosphere, it produces a trail, which is called a meteor. If the meteor survives passage and reaches the ground it's called a meteorite.
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By Gail Lovelace MenascoExperiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes
Right now, we are in a very interesting time in history. We’re not traveling, staying home more, and trying to learn life in this new normal. There are still amazing experiences that can be had while social distancing and one of those experiences is coming up very soon, The Perseids Meteor Shower.
For this episode of Experiences You Should Have, my guest is Nick Strobel. He has been teaching astronomy at Bakersfield College for 24 years and is the director of the William M Thomas Planetarium at Bakersfield College. He has his PhD in Astronomy from the University of Washington and he is the author of the Astronomy Notes website.
What is the Perseids Meteor Shower?
The Perseids meteor shower is essentially the earth running through the dust trail left behind a comet, Swift-Tuttle. While the Swift-Tuttle orbit takes 133 years to orbit the sun, Earth intersects with its debris trail, causing us to see shooting stars every August.
@Horizon Systems / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
How Does Perseids Meteor Shower Get its Name?
The meteor shower looks like it radiates from the constellation, Perseus, hence the name Perseids Meteor Shower. That said, meteors come flying across the sky in many directions.
When is the 2020 Perseids Meteor Shower and When does it peak?
The Perseids meteor shower runs mid-July through mid-August. The 2020 Perseid meteor shower will peak on August 11th and 12th. Because of the position of the moon this year, it's recommended to watch it before midnight.
Long time exposure night landscape with Milky Way Galaxy during the Perseids flow above the Beglik dam in Rhodopi Mountains, Bulgaria
How do you find dark sky to Watch it?
You want to go to a place where you can see the Milky Way and see the Little Dipper (not the big dipper). Ideally, you want to be in an area with elevation, so if you live in a valley, it's best to get to higher ground for viewing. While this list isn't comprehensive, it does list good dark sky viewing areas around the world.
Another option is to get in touch with your local astronomy club. They can point you in the right direction and provide some good viewing spots. Local to you.
If you find dark sky you may see 40-60 meteors per hour when it peaks.
Tips for watching the Perseids Meteor Shower
* Leave your telescope or binoculars at home, it's not needed to see Perseids.* Go to an area with dark sky, where you can view the little dipper.* In 2020, watch on August 11th or 12th at night before midnight.* Get a nice comfortable blanket or a chair that can lean back for good viewing.* Bring a friend to help you stay awake and help spot meteors flash across the sky.
Asteroid Vs Meteoroid Vs Meteor Vs Meteorite vs Comet
An Asteroid is any space rock that is larger than a meter across. A meteroid would be smaller than a meter. While its in space, it is still a meteroid. As that meteroid (or piece of it) passes through the atmosphere, it produces a trail, which is called a meteor. If the meteor survives passage and reaches the ground it's called a meteorite.