Yes, it is true - the Perseid Meteor Shower peaks next weekend while you are at MITM2. Please plan to join us up on Mt. Evans at 14,264 ft so that you can have the best showing ON THE CONTINENT. Details:

Friday, August 10, 2007.

The legendary Perseid meteor shower will peak in the next few days.

It’s expected to display the greatest number of meteors Sunday morning (August 12), late Sunday night and Monday morning (August 13) before dawn. But you’ll see some Perseids Saturday (August 11) before dawn, too.

The moon is new on Sunday, or between the Earth and sun. This new moon will leave the night sky dark all this weekend for the Perseid meteors. These meteors are named for the constellation Perseus the Hero. If you trace the paths of the meteors backwards, they seem to stream from this constellation.

You don’t need to identify Perseus to enjoy the meteor shower. The Perseids are an especially rich and dependable meteor shower. They shoot all across the sky – often leaving persistent trains – and occasionally lighting things up with bright fireballs. To watch the show, find a dark, open sky. Get away from city lights, and give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adapt to the dark. The Perseid shower favors northern hemisphere skywatchers. Again, the best time to watch: Sunday morning, late Sunday night and Monday morning before dawn. At its peak, the Perseids typically produce 60 or more meteors per hour.

Saturday, August 11, 2007.

Meteor showers tend to be best after midnight, and the Perseids are no exception.

That’s why from midnight to dawn tonight, or tomorrow night into Monday morning are the best times to watch this year’s Perseid meteor shower. In the northern hemisphere, the Perseids are often the best meteor shower of the year. At their peak, they typically produce 60 or more meteors an hour, with several meteors often coming in clumps every few minutes.

Meteor showers are a lot like sporting events. They always have an element of unpredictability and surprise. Even a shower as reliable as the Perseids can have a quiet period around the time of its peak. Or it can dazzle you with an unexpected flurry. And multiple peaks are always possible, too. Still, the hours between midnight tonight and dawn tomorrow and late Sunday night into Monday morning are probably your best bet.

The fiery Perseid meteors happen every August, which is when our planet Earth passes through the orbital path of Comet Swift-Tuttle. Debris left behind by this comet encounters Earth’s atmosphere, and these vaporizing comet fragments give off a glow as they fall.

These Perseids, when traced backwards, appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus. As an ancient Greek poet once said: Perseus is “stirring up a dust in heaven.”

Check it all out at www.earthsky.org

Jonathan

 

 

Thanks for the reminder.

We use to try to plan camping trips for this event to get us away from the city. This year the delivery of the Mini put thoughs plans up in the air. We may have to plan an overnighter somewhere, with the Mini I hope.

So where's my Mini? On a truck bound for the dealership, hopefully.

 

I'll be there! I love sky watching!

 

I knew this was going to coincide and I am so excited to get to be on top of a mountain to see them this year. Hawaii sucks for meteor watching, well Oahu anyways.

 

*squeal* this is going to be so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!