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No matter who you are, no matter what you do, no matter if you’re into the astrology or astronomy business, you cannot miss the Perseid meteor shower. The final countdown has started, there are two more days of waiting until the amazing celestial event. In case you won’t be able to see it with your own eyes, NASA will be offering a live broadcast starting with August 12 at 10 PM and they will end their transmission on August 13, at 2 a.m. They will also provide a live talk-show and discussion related to the history of Perseids. Those interested to find more will have the chance to send their questions via Twitter.
What you must know
In order to enjoy the Perseid meteor shower to the fullest, you must travel away from light. The phenomenon will be most visible in places with little light, so that you can see the traveling stars extremely clear. There is also a new moon coming around, which is fantastic news for viewers as it sets the stage for the most spectacular meteor shower of the year.
The event takes place every year from the end of July through most of August but it’s important to know that there is always a peak time we can see most meteors playing over the celestial ceiling, lighting up the sky.
Seek for the darkest and clearest skies possible and leave behind the big city lights. Lay back, take some smooth drinks and direct your gaze skyward to enjoy the best-selling show. You won’t need any special observing equipment, all you need is to be wide awake and keep your eyes largely open. Don’t forget to make a wish as well.
Another important thing is to offer your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the dark. Also, avoid using your cell phone to take pictures and don’t use flashlights either, because it will completely ruin your night vision. If you are in need of light though, consider using a red light.
Most streaks last for less than a second but there are always the brightest ones which leave trails of vaporized gases and glowing air molecules which could take up to a few seconds to fade, as the Royal Astronomical Society declared.
In terms of perfect timing, the most appropriate hours to observe the meteor shower would be between 3 a.m. and dawn Pacific Time.
Image Source: mashable.com
