Home » Technology » where, at what date, time and how to observe the Perseids?

where, at what date, time and how to observe the Perseids?

Planet Earth is passing through the Perseid meteorite swarm offering one of the most beautiful meteor showers of the year 2020. Here is everything you need to know about this phenomenon and how to observe it in the best conditions.

Credit: Unsplash

Night of shooting stars 2020 is over, but there is still an impressive phenomenon to observe in the sky: the rain of the shooting stars of the Perseids which will reach its maximum in a few days.

???? What are the Perseids and why do they cause shooting stars?

The Perseids are a meteor swarm which causes an impressive falling stars rain when the Earth passes through it at full speed. This swarm is actually made up of debris from comet Swift-Tuttle. Do not expect to see this comet during your lifetime: the last passage took place in 1479, and the next one should not occur before 2126. At each orbit the comet leaves behind a cohort of small debris, the size of between dust and pea-like objects.

Shooting stars rain 2020 Perseids
Credit: Unsplash

When they collide with the Earth’s atmosphere, this debris is spinning at 58 km per second, or the breathtaking speed of 210,000 km / h. It is extremely fast. So much so that the friction of the atmosphere causes a rapid rise in their temperature, which leads to a disintegration as spectacular as it is rapid and luminous: the famous shooting stars.

✨ Perseids’ meteor shower 2020: date, time and how to observe them?

Earth has already started to enter the debris cloud from Comet Swift-Tuttle that originated the Perseids. While the author of these lines is writing this article from the Pyrenees, on a clear day, just roll your eyes to see a light line flash briefly, after barely a few tens of seconds of observation.

Shooting stars rain 2020 Perseids
Credit: Unsplash

The spectacle is already worth sharing with the family, especially if you’re near a viewing spot far from the city’s light pollution – and the weather is fine. The Perseids will nevertheless experience their maximum on the night of August 12 to 13 at around 5 a.m.. The number of shooting stars can then reach a hundred per hour.

???? Where and how to best observe the starry sky?

Shooting stars rain 2020 Perseids
Credit: Unsplash

Some shooting stars leave a brighter trail than others. We noticed that some were visible near public lighting. Nevertheless, if you can get to an ideal location away from the light pollution of cities like the mountains or the open countryside, you will be able to see much more, with our galaxy the Milky Way in the background, which I never tire of.

Read also : Star nights, the 6 best apps to watch the sky

Considering the brightness of the event and the size of the meteorites flashing in the atmosphere, the use of specialized equipment is unnecessary. Unless you want to observe other objects as a bonus. At this time, Mars and Venus are relatively easy to observe with a telescope, as are a few clusters of galaxies and nebulae. We also recommend the link above to help you recognize the constellations as a family.


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