How to Watch This Week's Spectacular Meteor Shower

Kompressor · 08-10-2010, 05:43 PM

The peak of the famously visible Perseid meteor shower starts this week! This year's show, coinciding with a new moon and excellent viewing conditions, should be especially spectacular—especial ly if you follow these tips for an excellent viewing experience:

Update: Just to be clear on dates—meteors should be visible tonight, Tuesday 8/10 through the morning of Wednesday 8/11, and tomorrow night, Wednesday 8/11 through the morning of Thursday 8/12, but the height of the shower, and the nights that will see the most meteors, are Thursday 8/12 and Friday 8/13 and their associated mornings.

Find a wide-open space to watch. You'll want a good view of the whole sky, even the bits near the edge. Try calling up that one guy you hooked up with who had roof access. If he doesn't pick up, leave a threatening voice message, because why not.

Watch the Perseus constellation. The meteors don't actually come out of Perseus, but are named after the constellation because they appear to. This NASA illustration of my Brooklyn neighborhood will show you where to look in relation to the constellations:

Avoid places with a lot of light pollution. The further away from bright lights you are, the more meteors you'll be able to see. If you live in a rural area, try driving out to a field, or something. You've got to have a field somewhere near you, right? If you live in a city, consider moving. It's a buyer's market!

Be early—the prettiest meteors come early in the evening. Right after the sun sets, when the meteor shower is low in the sky, the meteors will streak beautifully across long portions of the sky.

Be patient—the peak won't come till late. The height of the shower, when meteors will be most frequent, usually occurs between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. your local time (depending on latitude), as the Earth moves directly into the path of the debris. So be prepared to wait! Maybe bring a book, to use as kindling for a nice fire.

Invite friends. But only the good-looking ones! No, just kidding; you can invite whichever friends you want. Just remember that this is a good chance to hook up.

Bring blankets. The best position to watch the shower is lying down, so you have the fullest view possible of the sky. This is also the best position to make out. Just saying.

Put on bug repellent. We always forget to do this.

Do some research. Did you know that the Perseids are actually debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle comet that the Earth passes through on its orbit every year? No? Then you'll look pretty dumb when someone asks you what the lights in the sky are, won't you?

Bring some beers. And obviously, we'd never suggest illegal drug use, ever, but wouldn't it be so weird if you developed glaucoma, just for this week, and your symptoms were only alleviated by marijuana? And also you bought a vaporizer?

Write it down so you remember. Seriously, how often have you totally meant to stay out and watch these and then just let it completely slip your mind?

Geeno · 08-10-2010, 05:46 PM

pleiades

Ive always stared at that little cluster and wondered wtf

The_Jester · 08-10-2010, 06:02 PM

A friend of mine called me the other day to inform me this was happening

. Can't wait!

SmokeaJoint · 08-10-2010, 06:40 PM

This is awesome! I'm gonna be out Thursday through Sunday on a camping trip, no lights for miles around. The view is gonna be so clear, I can't wait.

Kompressor · 08-11-2010, 06:34 PM

bump

maszac · 08-11-2010, 09:38 PM

havent seen shit but im in crazy light pollution... hopefully tomorrow we gonna get some brew, bud, girls and go out and watch em.

you seen anything, komp? god i really hope we go out tomorrow. i fucking love this kinda shit.

SmokeaJoint · 08-11-2010, 11:49 PM

I saw some tonight, too bad the lights in Portland are so bright. Tomorrow it should be a lot better.

Man in Black · 08-12-2010, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geeno

pleiades

Ive always stared at that little cluster and wondered wtf

the pleiades also play some kind of part in the time around halloween if i'm not mistaken

maszac · 08-12-2010, 06:48 PM

yeah, so mufuckas bail, i aint got no whip so i spose ill be wandering around in hopes of catching a glimpse.

08-10-2010, 05:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kompressor Voice of Reason Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 8,361 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3,068 Times in 1,634 Posts	How to Watch This Week's Spectacular Meteor Shower How to Watch This Week's Spectacular Meteor Shower The peak of the famously visible Perseid meteor shower starts this week! This year's show, coinciding with a new moon and excellent viewing conditions, should be especially spectacular—especial ly if you follow these tips for an excellent viewing experience: Update: Just to be clear on dates—meteors should be visible tonight, Tuesday 8/10 through the morning of Wednesday 8/11, and tomorrow night, Wednesday 8/11 through the morning of Thursday 8/12, but the height of the shower, and the nights that will see the most meteors, are Thursday 8/12 and Friday 8/13 and their associated mornings. Find a wide-open space to watch. You'll want a good view of the whole sky, even the bits near the edge. Try calling up that one guy you hooked up with who had roof access. If he doesn't pick up, leave a threatening voice message, because why not. Watch the Perseus constellation. The meteors don't actually come out of Perseus, but are named after the constellation because they appear to. This NASA illustration of my Brooklyn neighborhood will show you where to look in relation to the constellations: Avoid places with a lot of light pollution. The further away from bright lights you are, the more meteors you'll be able to see. If you live in a rural area, try driving out to a field, or something. You've got to have a field somewhere near you, right? If you live in a city, consider moving. It's a buyer's market! Be early—the prettiest meteors come early in the evening. Right after the sun sets, when the meteor shower is low in the sky, the meteors will streak beautifully across long portions of the sky. Be patient—the peak won't come till late. The height of the shower, when meteors will be most frequent, usually occurs between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. your local time (depending on latitude), as the Earth moves directly into the path of the debris. So be prepared to wait! Maybe bring a book, to use as kindling for a nice fire. Invite friends. But only the good-looking ones! No, just kidding; you can invite whichever friends you want. Just remember that this is a good chance to hook up. Bring blankets. The best position to watch the shower is lying down, so you have the fullest view possible of the sky. This is also the best position to make out. Just saying. Put on bug repellent. We always forget to do this. Do some research. Did you know that the Perseids are actually debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle comet that the Earth passes through on its orbit every year? No? Then you'll look pretty dumb when someone asks you what the lights in the sky are, won't you? Bring some beers. And obviously, we'd never suggest illegal drug use, ever, but wouldn't it be so weird if you developed glaucoma, just for this week, and your symptoms were only alleviated by marijuana? And also you bought a vaporizer? Write it down so you remember. Seriously, how often have you totally meant to stay out and watch these and then just let it completely slip your mind? __________________ Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. -H. Bergson

08-10-2010, 06:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
The_Jester The Fool Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 365 Thanks: 239 Thanked 178 Times in 98 Posts	A friend of mine called me the other day to inform me this was happening . Can't wait! __________________ In LOVING kindness, The forum fool.

08-11-2010, 06:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kompressor Voice of Reason Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 8,361 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3,068 Times in 1,634 Posts	bump __________________ Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. -H. Bergson

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08-11-2010, 09:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
maszac toast Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: kc Posts: 915 Thanks: 1,458 Thanked 266 Times in 162 Posts	havent seen shit but im in crazy light pollution... hopefully tomorrow we gonna get some brew, bud, girls and go out and watch em. you seen anything, komp? god i really hope we go out tomorrow. i fucking love this kinda shit.

08-12-2010, 06:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
maszac toast Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: kc Posts: 915 Thanks: 1,458 Thanked 266 Times in 162 Posts	yeah, so mufuckas bail, i aint got no whip so i spose ill be wandering around in hopes of catching a glimpse.

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