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Morgan Paskert, Lake Erie Nature and Science Center
Above! The Perseid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular rains of the year, will take place on Saturday, August 11 in the evening.
In preparation for this cosmic event, Monica Marshall Planetarium Specialist from the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center is here to explain what is a meteor shower and give tips for seeing the shooting stars in August.
What is a meteor shower?
Comets are large bodies of icy solar systems. As a comet gets closer to the sun, its ice gets warmer and begins to release dust and rock particles into the atmosphere, which can produce a glowing vapor trail
Meteors get produce when meteorites – rocks and debris behind a comet, enter the Earth's atmosphere. Meteorites are almost always small enough to burn quickly in our atmosphere, so there is little chance that they will reach the surface of the Earth. A meteorite is a part of a meteoroid that survives and lands on Earth
Meteors, also called "shooting stars," are light streaks produced in the night sky when a meteoroid is burning in the sky. 39, Earth's atmosphere.
How can I see the meteor shower?
Each year, the Earth crosses the Swift-Tuttle comet's dust trail, resulting in visible meteorite rains. The meteor shower of Perseid is the best opportunity to see shooting stars this year.
Meteor showers are named after the constellation from which the meteors appear. Look towards the Perseus constellation in the northeast sky between 9:30 pm. and 11am on August 11 to see the shooting stars. During its peak, observers can expect to see 60 to 70 meteors per hour.
The key to seeing Perseid meteor shower? Head to a dark area in the suburbs or the countryside, put on a blanket, bring snacks and enjoy the heavenly spectacle. It takes 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the darkness, so the longer you wait, the more you'll see!
Bonus: There will be a new moon on August 11th, a crescent, which will result in favorable observing conditions.
Join the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center at 7:30 pm August 11 for Perseid Meteor Shower Night. Enjoy an engaging planetarium show on meteorites and get the chance to hold a real meteorite! Participate in cooking comet demonstrations and learn how they create meteor showers. Around 9 pm, take a stroll to Huntington Beach from the Cleveland Metroparks to enjoy the sky show. Register in advance by visiting www.lensc.org.
Interested in astronomy? Stay up-to-date by joining the monthly Astronomy Club at the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center. NASA's solar system ambassador, JPL, Bill Reed, will share space novelties, latest gadgets, breathtaking facts and more. Monthly meetings are free for the public, with special events and telescope rentals for members of the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center. Next meeting: 6.30 pm August 15th. Learn more at www.lensc.org.
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