Perseids

[Xunil]

Hi Everyone!

After reading the thread about the upcoming star party, I'm left a bit confused - the date I can find for the peak of the perseid shower is the 12th, reaching a crescendo in the morning of the 13th, but the star party thread says it's on the 17th according to Nasa.

I got my info here.

Can someone throw some light on so I can get the right night, I'd really love to see this.

Many thanks,

Tel.

[saturn5]

Its the 12th-13th for sure,just hope its cloud free.

[Astroman]

The peak of the shower is the 12th-13th, but you can see Perseids for a week on either side. Just watch where they come from. If they trace back to Perseus, they're Perseids.

[Vega]

If they go on the 17th they'll be very much dissapointed at the display! Maybe get a ZHR of 1 or 2 ?

Vega

[proflight2000]

Ok from the horses mouth (well sir patrick moore) the best time to start watching will be from 2.00am on the morning of the 13th of August, they predict you will see at the best bit upto 80+ an hour. They mention the little horse constellation? as the best place to be looking.

[Astroman]

Equuleus! Next to Delphinus, next to Pegasus.

[proflight2000]

Thanks Astroman thats saved me trying to figure out what they meant.

[stargazer1980]

As the organiser of the star party in salisbury, were not so much going for the perseids but for the fun of astrnomy and meeting new people! If we happen to see even a slight bit of the perseids, then the more fun it will be!

Darren

[proflight2000]

Now I know where to look, here is a screenshot of the area mentioned which at 2am will be basically in the south west, which is great for me as thats the position of my back door.

(click to enlarge)

[Vega]

I'm confused... being the Perseids... should we not be looking in the direction of Perseus ? :scratch:

Vega

[proflight2000]

well I shall pass on that one, i got the information from the monthly thing that they do on the sky at night magazine disk, but would welcome others input as I would hate to be standing with my back to them

[Ant]

The closer you look to the radient the smaller the meteors.

I tend to look over head till the square of pegasus is higher and then look there. Just my preference.

Ant

[Astroman]

Looking at the radiant in Perseus will limit what you see because the meteors are coming straight at you. Watch askance, and they'll be "stretched out". Perseids are faint and fast anyway, so it's easy to miss them if you look right at Perseus. Trace their path backward toward Perseus to verify their origin.

[Vega]

Aaah that makes sense.. thanks for the info.

Vega

[Xunil]

Thanks for the help everyone

The met office says it's going to be a "partly cloudy" night on the 12-13th....so fingers crossed!