THE Perseid meteor shower peaks early Monday morning (12) but it is already visible in the night sky throughout this weekend. The phenomenon can be observed from almost all of Brazil, with the exception of Rio Grande do Sul.
A meteor shower occurs when the Earth passes through a region with a high concentration of comet debris. When it hits the atmosphere at high speed, these fragments burst into flames, leaving a trail of light that forms “shooting stars.”
Visible every year at this same time, the Perseids are composed of fragments of the comet Swift-Tuttle. And they are named after the place where the phenomenon can be seen in the sky, the constellation Perseus.
How to observe the Perseid meteor shower?
The meteor shower occurs near the constellation Perseus, which appears close to the horizon, in a northerly direction, just before dawn . The best time to observe the rain is between 4am and 5am .
Although the peak occurs on Monday (12), it should also be possible to see the meteors a few days before and a few days after.
Tips for seeing a meteor shower
- Find a dark and secluded observation location, away from city lights . Once there, your eyes may take 15 to 20 minutes to get used to the darkness (in other words, don’t keep checking your cell phone, as the brightness of the screen in your eyes will interfere with observation.
- Take a blanket if it is cold in the area or a comfortable chair with you, as meteor watching involves the waiting time .
- Once you’ve found your observing spot, lie down on the ground and look up at the sky. An interactive map provided by astronomy apps should help you find the direction of the radiant . The higher it is above the horizon, the more meteors you are likely to see.
- Meteor showers usually originate from the point where the radiant is located, but they can be seen anywhere in the sky.
Check it out here astronomy apps to help locate and track astronomical phenomena in the night sky.
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Source: CNN Brasil
Charles Grill is a tech-savvy writer with over 3 years of experience in the field. He writes on a variety of technology-related topics and has a strong focus on the latest advancements in the industry. He is connected with several online news websites and is currently contributing to a technology-focused platform.
