All around the world, not just astronomers but stargazers in general get excited when the Perseids meteor showers approach our skies. And the summer’s best is upon us.
The showers will last for about two weeks with good numbers Aug. 17 through Aug. 24. But the peak, or best night to observe, will be Aug. 12. The Perseids showers are remnants from the return of the parent comet Swift-Tuttle back in 1992.
From a clear and dark location (like south San Benito County), one could expect to see as many as 60 to 100 streaks per hour, vary respectable when it comes to meteor showers, but still not as glorious as the Leonid showers can be in November. The Leonid showers will always be known as one of the greatest showers of our time.
How about taking some photographs of these shooting stars? Well, it couldn’t be any easier. Find the fastest film you can buy, (black and white or color), put it in your camera, set the lens wide open and set for infinity. Put the camera on a tripod, if you have one, or set it up in a way you won’t interfere with it while it is imaging. Point the camera between the constellations Perseus and Cassiopeia (yes, get your books out once again), and open the shutter anywhere between one minute to 60 minutes in length or more if you would like.
The longer you open it, the better chance you have of catching one of the meteor streaks. It is interesting to see on the longer exposures how the stars seem to streak as well, caused by the rotation of the earth.
On the evening of the 12th, the first quarter moon will be setting around 11:30pm in the western sky, leaving the rest of the night fully dark for your observance of the Perseids meteor showers. The display should peak later that night, especially as morning twilight arrives. With the mild nights of summer, your observing should be quite comfortable. So, grab some blankets, refreshments and some friends, and make a night of it camping under the stars.
The planets you can see now in the western sky at sunset are Venus, Saturn and Mercury, and Jupiter can be seen higher in the western sky just after sunset. Each is interesting in its own way.
Venus, if viewed with a good pair of binoculars, can be seen changing through moon-like phases as the month goes on. And Jupiter, with its ever changing moons, is always a sight to see. A small telescope is all that is needed to witness the moons.
Make sure you plan well ahead of time before sifting through the universe each evening. It is always nice knowing where and what to look for when you are out there in the dark.
Hope you enjoy the night skies as I do. And don’t be afraid to pass on what you have learned to someone else who might enjoy it as well. Clear skies.
David Baumgartner is in local real estate and is an avid amateur astronomer. His Sky Watch column appears monthly.All around the world, not just astronomers but stargazers in general get excited when the Perseids meteor showers approach our skies. And the summer’s best is upon us.
The showers will last for about two weeks with good numbers Aug. 17 through Aug. 24. But the peak, or best night to observe, will be Aug. 12. The Perseids showers are remnants from the return of the parent comet Swift-Tuttle back in 1992.
From a clear and dark location (like south San Benito County), one could expect to see as many as 60 to 100 streaks per hour, vary respectable when it comes to meteor showers, but still not as glorious as the Leonid showers can be in November. The Leonid showers will always be known as one of the greatest showers of our time.
How about taking some photographs of these shooting stars? Well, it couldn’t be any easier. Find the fastest film you can buy, (black and white or color), put it in your camera, set the lens wide open and set for infinity. Put the camera on a tripod, if you have one, or set it up in a way you won’t interfere with it while it is imaging. Point the camera between the constellations Perseus and Cassiopeia (yes, get your books out once again), and open the shutter anywhere between one minute to 60 minutes in length or more if you would like.
The longer you open it, the better chance you have of catching one of the meteor streaks. It is interesting to see on the longer exposures how the stars seem to streak as well, caused by the rotation of the earth.
On the evening of the 12th, the first quarter moon will be setting around 11:30pm in the western sky, leaving the rest of the night fully dark for your observance of the Perseids meteor showers. The display should peak later that night, especially as morning twilight arrives. With the mild nights of summer, your observing should be quite comfortable. So, grab some blankets, refreshments and some friends, and make a night of it camping under the stars.
The planets you can see now in the western sky at sunset are Venus, Saturn and Mercury, and Jupiter can be seen higher in the western sky just after sunset. Each is interesting in its own way.
Venus, if viewed with a good pair of binoculars, can be seen changing through moon-like phases as the month goes on. And Jupiter, with its ever changing moons, is always a sight to see. A small telescope is all that is needed to witness the moons.
Make sure you plan well ahead of time before sifting through the universe each evening. It is always nice knowing where and what to look for when you are out there in the dark.
Hope you enjoy the night skies as I do. And don’t be afraid to pass on what you have learned to someone else who might enjoy it as well. Clear skies.
David Baumgartner is in local real estate and is an avid amateur astronomer. His Sky Watch column appears monthly.
August Sky Watch
Aug. 4
Moon passes 4.5 degrees north of Saturn
Moon is farthest from Earth (apogee 255,200 miles).
Aug. 5
New moon.
Moon passes 9.3 degrees north of Mercury.
Aug. 7
Moon passes 1.2 degrees north of Venus
Aug. 10
Moon passes 1.3 degrees south of Jupiter
Aug. 12
Perseid meteor shower peaks
Aug. 13
Friday the 13th. Supposed to be a very unlucky day. Is it for you?
Moon at first quarter, somewhat less unlucky.
Aug. 14
Moon passes 0.4 degrees north of Antares
Aug. 16
Winter solstice on Mars. Mars has its seasons as well.
Aug. 18
Moon passes 5 degrees south of Neptune
Mercury passes 5.5 degrees of Saturn
Aug. 19
Moon is closest to Earth (perigee 224,000 miles)
Moon full
Aug. 20
Moon passes 2 degrees south of Uranus
Aug. 25
Moon passes 6 degrees north of Mars
Aug. 26
Moon at last quarter
Aug. 31
Moon passes 5 degrees north of Saturn
