Wednesday, August 9, 2006

Another Skywatcher Alert

For those who already get their Skywatcher Alerts, skip this.  Others with interest in what happens over our heads may love watching the annual Perseis Meteor Shower of August.  Although available for viewing to those all over the planet, the shower will reach it's peak for North America late Friday and Saturday nights, August 11-12-13.  However, the prescence of moonlight and artificial light may interfere.  Still, the brightest meteors can be seen easily with the naked eye.  The best time to go outside and find a nice comfy spot to lay down and watch is when it picks up after midnight, though "shooting stars" as we used to call them, will be visible before then.  You need only adapt your eyes to the darkness before they really get going.  The brightest may sail across the heavens for several seconds and leave a brief train of glowing smoke.  If you trace the direction of that trail backwards, you'll see the "radiant" or what looks like the origin, of the Perseids, which is a spot in the constellation Perseus, who was son-in-law of Cassiopeia in Greek mythology.  They are located near each other.  I adore Greek mythology, don't you?  Again, you need only your eyes for this, use a scope of course if you have one, and be amazed once again. 

Anyone who wants these alerts from Sky & Telecope Magazine just click this link and halfway down the page you'll see "Talk about it" where you can just click "Alert Me..."    Sky & Telescope- Watch for the Perseid Meteors Aug. 11-13 - AOL Research & Learn  

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well Luddie you never cease to amaze me  I dont think there is a subject of which u dont know something about.  Thank you my friend i love stars and clouds  and i definitely will watch this.

TreesRGreen78

Anonymous said...

My husband John, an amateur astronomer, says sans on the telescope.  Even binoculars will give you too narrow of a field to watch meteor showers.  You'll miss the whole display, he says.

Thanks for sharing this with us.  I didn't know there were Sky & Telescope alerts.  I just put them on alert.  

My husband got the Sky & Telescope mag for years, but we didn't get around to subscribing this year.  He is subscribed to Astronomy Magazine though.  

Now I am marking my calendar for the showers so John and I don't miss them.  Thank you!

Krissy :)
http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink

Anonymous said...

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS BUT I AM ASLEEP AT 9PM  EVERYNIGHT! I AM NO ABLE TO STAY AWAKE PAST TEN AT ALL ANYMORE!  THANKS FOR THE ALERT ON THIS THOUGH I WILL GIVE IT MY BEST SHOT TO SEE IT

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reminder. Usually I end up seeing them by surprise which adds to the thrill especially if you get to catch a genuine shower. It takes a few seconds for your brain to register that what you are seeing is OK! <grin>
Patrick

Anonymous said...

Luddie, I love watching meteor showers, and I had no clue that this weekend some were due. We will be attending an indoor/outdoor event at a golf club on Friday nite, and I would bet I will be able to see some of these meteors. Yay! If I don't, I have two more evenings to catch them.

Thank you for the info!

::hug::
Nikki

Anonymous said...

I will be on the look out. Although I wonder if we will see anything over here in the UK,
Kate.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/bobandkate/AnAnalysisofLife/

Anonymous said...

Hi there, thanks for calling in at Northern Trip. And thanks for pointing to the Skywatcher alerts. Hope we get to see some Perseids through this weather of ours up in Northern Scotland.

http://journals.aol.co.uk/pharmolo/NorthernTrip

Anonymous said...

Here is St. Pete, Florida there is too much light..........have not seen a sky full of stars in over 20 years. I can forget the Meteor shower...but love the link nonetheless. B. Lynne

Anonymous said...

I love watching meteor showers, so does my son.... thanks for the heads up.  Since we live where there's alot of artificial light, we probably won't see much... and I can't drive to the outskirts at the moment... we'll miss them this time.  But I may subscribe to recv the alerts.  Thanks so much for stopping by my journal, always appreciate your comments and encouragement!!

http://journals.aol.com/preciousone25/JoannsWeightLossJourney/
Joann

Anonymous said...

Too bad it was too cloudy last night where I live to see the meteor showers.  

Krissy
http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink

Anonymous said...

I love it!  I can't get my family to go out with me in the middle of the night to watch though.  lol  They gave up on that a long time ago.  Thanks for reminding me!  Hugs and GBU, Shelly

Anonymous said...

I want to watch so badly but I don't think I can stay up late enough to see it! I'm going to try tonight. Thanks for the info. Martha :-)