The shower reached the US; there were already beautiful scenes from Turkey…
The Perseids Meteor Shower is one of the most spectacular and well-known meteor showers, occurring annually between mid-July and late August. It is particularly famous for its bright and numerous meteors, making it a favorite among skywatchers.
### Origin and Cause
The Perseids are caused by the Earth passing through the debris left by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. This comet takes 133 years to orbit the Sun, and its debris trail is what creates the meteor shower when Earth intersects it. The meteors are fragments of ice and rock that burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, creating bright streaks of light known as meteors or “shooting stars” [1][3][5].
### Viewing the Perseids
The Perseid meteor shower is best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere, with the peak typically occurring around mid-August. In 2024, the peak is expected to be on the nights of August 12 and 13. During this peak, observers can see between 50 to 100 meteors per hour under ideal dark-sky conditions [1][4][5]. The best time to watch is from midnight to dawn, when the radiant point of the shower, located in the constellation Perseus, is highest in the sky [2][6].
### Characteristics
– **Brightness and Frequency**: The Perseids are known for their bright meteors and high frequency, often producing fireballs, which are exceptionally bright meteors with long-lasting trails [5].
– **Speed**: The meteors travel at speeds of about 37 miles (59 kilometers) per second as they enter Earth’s atmosphere [4][5].
– **Radiant**: The meteors appear to originate from the constellation Perseus, which is why the shower is named the Perseids [2][5].### Cultural Significance
The Perseids have been observed for over 2,000 years and are sometimes referred to as “the tears of St. Lawrence” in Catholic tradition, due to their peak coinciding with the date of the saint’s martyrdom [1]. In ancient Greek mythology, they are associated with the hero Perseus.
Overall, the Perseids offer a stunning celestial display and are a highlight for both amateur and professional astronomers alike.
Citations:
1. Royal Museums Greenwich – Perseid Meteor Shower Guide UK: When and Where to See
2. The Planetary Society – What is the Perseid Meteor Shower?
3. New Scientist – Perseid Meteor Shower Definition
4. Space.com – Perseid Meteor Shower Guide
5. NASA Science – Perseid Meteor Shower
6. EarthSky – Everything You Need to Know: Perseid Meteor Shower
Romania and Czechia are the top countries searching Perseids over the past week worldwide
Griffith Observatory is the top trending location for a star party over the past week in the US
A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay and In The Stars by Benson Boone are the top searches “songs about stars” over the past week, US
In the US, people searching Perseids are also searching “cloud cover map” and “compass”
“how to take meteor shower photos” is a breakout search this week in the US
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