"Can we pretend that airplanes, in the night sky are like shooting stars? I could really use a wish right now, wish right now, wish right now..." (The little voice in your head sang that to the tune didn't it?)
If anyone is looking for a wish or many wishes, now is your chance to make them properly, to some real shooting stars...!
If anyone is looking for a wish or many wishes, now is your chance to make them properly, to some real shooting stars...!
The Perseids are a meteor shower that occurs every year around mid of July to late August. The name "Perseids" originates from the shooting stars appear to come from the constellation Perseus, whereas in reality they are courtesy of the comet Swift-Tuttle (thank you!)
Even though the showers occur over about a month, they usually peak between the first and second week of August, this year they are projected to peak on 12th-13th August (make a note or even check the weather now!) If you are lucky, you might be able to see some when you are out watching the Supermoon too!
Some comet viewing tips:
Even though the showers occur over about a month, they usually peak between the first and second week of August, this year they are projected to peak on 12th-13th August (make a note or even check the weather now!) If you are lucky, you might be able to see some when you are out watching the Supermoon too!
Some comet viewing tips:
- Go somewhere far away from light pollution, ie really dark! (Dur... that almost goes without saying)
- Let you eyes adjust to the darkness, this would normally take around 10 minutes, give it 15-20 just to be safe.
- Avoid looking at bright sources of light to preserve "night vision". So avoid phones, torches etc.
- If you really must use light, like checking out the path or whatever, use red light wherever possible because that's apparently best for keeping your night vision. Google SkyMap has an "astronomer mode" built in, or you can even use free apps like Lux to give you a nice red filter on your phone)
- Wrap up warm. Speaking from experience, it still gets fairly cold despite being summer time, because you would be sat still most of the time. I was wearing 3-4 layers last year and was just about comfortably warm (yes, multiple pairs of trousers as well as tops)
- Bring something to sit on because the ground/grass is likely to be wet from condensation
- You might want to bring a friend/family member/significant other/loved one to keep you company. I think this would make an excellent occasion for some deep conversations/"romantic hang out"
- Lastly, prepare what you need in advance and get up earlier than you think you need to. For a special annual occasion like this one, it is probably better to be too early than too late (I learnt this the hard way....)
Last year, I tried to capture the Perseids with no success. Unfortunately I got out of bed too slowly at around 3am. It was nearly 4am by the time I got dressed and got out there. The sun had "half risen" and it was too bright to see normal stars by then, let alone shooting stars. I did see a truly epic sun rise with not many clouds in sight though!! See the photo at the bottom.
I wish you the very best of luck if you decide to go out and look for the Perseids! Even if they don't show, you never know what else you might find :)