Perseids meteor shower

Perseids - one of the largest and most impressive meteor showers of the year, will reach its peak on the morning of August 12 and 13.

>>>11/8 see the nearest "super moon"

Scientists say that at the peak of this stellar rain, viewers can observe 50-100 or more stars per hour or more under optimal observation conditions.

A stellar trail from the Perseid meteor shower was seen at Embudo, New Mexico in August 2013 - (Photo: Mike Lewinski / AP)

However, this year, due to the extreme meteor shower takes place near the nearest "super moon" time, the observation of Vietnamese astronomers will be affected. Therefore, take advantage of this star rain as soon as possible, starting from the beginning of August when Perseids prepares to reach its climax.

The meteor shower Perseids, which takes place from July 17 to August 24 each year and often peaks around mid-August, is one of the largest and most brilliant meteor showers of the year (along with the Quadrantids month 1 and December Geminids). This stellar rain comes from comet 109P / Swift-Tuttle , which has a 133-year cycle.

Dang Tuan Duy - chairman of HCMC Amateur Astronomical Club (HAAC), said Perseids are known for many very bright meteor (fireballs) compared to other meteor showers of the year. In Vietnam, the duration of this stellar rain is in the annual rainy season, so the weather is a big obstacle for observation.

A very bright 2012 Perseids meteorite shot was taken at Isola D'elba Island, Italy - (Photo: Stefano De Rosa / Earthsky)

Statistics from NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office show that Perseids meteor shower always creates a lot of fireballs (very bright meteors) compared to other big meteor showers.

Some experience when observing meteor shower:

- Every locality in Vietnam can observe meteor shower.

- Observe the meteor shower is an activity that you only need to use the naked eye only.

- It is not necessary to determine where the center of this meteor shower is, because meteors can be observed anywhere in the sky when it appears. The most important thing is that you have to wait until this focal point is higher than the horizon.

- Avoid looking at the light directly and let the eyes have plenty of time to adapt to the dark, at least 20 minutes before starting to observe.

- The light of the moon or the light of the lamp will greatly affect the viewing of the meteor. In the countryside that is less polluted, you can see the number of meteor stars much more if you look at the city.

- Only when the weather is good, it is clear and the normal stars are clearly visible so they can see the meteor. If it's cloudy, don't be disappointed because the rainy season is very erratic.

- Meteor shower doesn't mean 'stars fly like rain', so be patient when watching. In a big star-like rain like Perseids, light trails can appear one to several minutes apart, sometimes the sky will be "quiet" for a long time but sometimes they appear 2-3 times continuously.

HAAC