Go Outside -- Meteor Shower

Going outside for the meteor shower tonight?  You should...

The meteors in this shower all appear to emanate from the constellation Perseus. The best times to watch will be late night Aug. 12 through dawn Aug. 13.

"The August Perseids are among the strongest of the readily observed annual meteor showers, and at maximum activity nominally yield 90 or 100 meteors per hour," said Joe Rao, SPACE.com's Skywatching columnist. "However, observers with exceptional skies often record even larger numbers."

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To see the show, one need only find a comfortable spot with a clear view of the northeast horizon, away from local lights. A dark rural location is best. Lie back on a blanket or lounge chair and scan the entire sky. In the late evening, starting around 9 p.m. local time, sharp-eyed observers might see "earthgrazing" meteors that skim the northeast horizon.

"Earthgrazers are long, slow and colorful," Cooke said. "They are among the most beautiful of meteors." But don't expect more than a handful in an hour, he said.

Later and during the overnight hours, the shooting stars will be higher in the sky as Perseus rises. Some skywatchers enjoy counting the number of meteors they see per minute, per hour or during a 15-minute interval and comparing notes.

So go outside, and listen to "Go Outside" from the Robbie Seay Band while you do.

Go outside
Praise the God who mapped the stars out in the sky
Gather round with those who love and sing
"He is our King!"

Go outside
Praise the God who mapped the stars out in the sky
Gather round with those who love and sing
"He is our King! He is our King!"

No one should be left out
No one should be left out
No one should be left out
No one should be left out

If you have air to breathe
Hear your call to sing

Comments

[bjnotbk]

Steve, thanks for the heads up! I caught your post last night around 10:30 so the wife and I went outside. We both saw one incredible meteor and then I went in and grabbed a blanket. I spread the blanket out and stared up at the sky for a long while. Funny thing was that I didn't see another meteor but I did praise God!