This summer too, a night spectacle awaits us in the sky, which is one of the most beautiful astronomical phenomena. The Perseids / Meteor Shower 2019 will reach its peak very soon. Are you ready for a night adventure under the stars?
The Perseids are also known in Europe as 'Tears of Saint Lawrence' (the phenomenon takes place during the feast of St. Lawrence, i.e. August 10). They were discovered in 1835 by the Belgian Adolphe Quetelet. We can already observe them from July 17 onwards, and most glimpses appear right in the night sky on the night of August 12 to 13. At that time, we can see more than 60 meteors per hour, and the average speed of the particles is about 59 km/s.
We can expect the most of them in the nights on August 11, 12 and 13, but since the observation will be disturbed by the almost full Moon, the most suitable time for observation may be Sunday morning, between 3 and 4 o'clock, when we can expect around 20 glimpses.
HOW CAN WE OBSERVE THE PERSEIDS?
You don't need special equipment or any special skills to see a meteor shower. All we need is a clear sky, a lot of patience and, if desired, also interactive map showing the visibility of the meteor shower. In this way, we will be able to really experience the star glimpses to the maximum.
We need to find a quiet and secluded spot for observation, away from the city lights. It will take our eyes about 15 to 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Dress appropriately and comfortably for the weather, don't forget a blanket, long sleeves and a handy chair, especially if you will be observing the phenomenon for a longer period of time.
