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515 days ago
(http://www.timesonline.co.uk)
Category: Science Discovery Environment |
The Perseid meteor shower occurs roughly around this time each year as the Earth passes through a trail of debris left in the wake of Comet Swift-Tuttle as it blasts its way through space shedding clouds of dust. This year’s display will begin after 9pm and is expected to reach its peak at around 3am. As dawn approaches, the meteor shower will vanish.
A new moon will give rise to dark skies, enhancing visibility for those wanting to witness what promises to be a colourful astronomical phenomenon. Mimimal moonlight will mean that even faint meteors can be seen.
Most of the meteors are no bigger than a grain of sand, but as they shoot through the Earth’s upper atmosphere at around 135,000 mph they burn up in a bright light and many leave a glowing streak in their wake. Occasionally, they ignite into a bright fireball as larger meteors shoot through.
The Perseids, which are named after the constellation from which they appear to originate, Perseus, also used to be known as the “tears of St Lawrence” after a third-century archdeacon of Rome. When he was executed by the Romans, meteors streaked through the night sky and reappeared every year around St Lawrence’s feast day on August 10.
Because the first Perseid showers have already begun, increasing in volume to their maximum over Sunday evening and Monday morning, skywatchers may also be able to catch a glimpse of them on Saturday and Monday nights.However, the weather will have the final word on the Perseids display. Although Sunday looks wet and cloudy in parts of the UK, especially in the North, skies should tend to clear during the night. Unfortunately, forecasts are currently affected by volatile weather patterns. A titanic battle is being waged between Atlantic depressions from the West driving into a high pressure system from the southerly Azores Islands.
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