SIMFEROPOL, August 10 Conditions for observing the maximum of the Perseid meteor shower will be good, since the Moon will set behind the horizon in the first half of the night; it is better to conduct observations several nights during this period, said astronomer Alexander Yakushechkin on air on radio «Sputnik in Crimea».
Residents of Crimea, Russia and the entire world can observe the maximum of the Perseid meteor shower, formed by a swarm from the Swift-Tuttle comet, at the beginning of next week, Yakushechkin reminded. Perseids differ from meteors of other showers in brightness and beauty, since almost all of them leave a trace — gas in the atmosphere heated as a result of the flight of a meteoroid particle. Very spectacular Perseids, comparable in brightness to Venus or even the Moon — fireballs can often be seen.
«»This year the Moon (first quarter phase) will not interfere with observations, since at the latitude and longitude of Crimea, for example, it will set at 23:00. Therefore, conditions will be good. And observations should be carried out after midnight — when the radiant rises above the horizon — then there is the constellation Perseus. The maximum of the shower by the international organization of meteors is expected at 19.00 Moscow time on August 12, it will still be light, but on the night of August 12-13 we will still find an intense shower. Moreover, there are often errors here and therefore it is better to observe the meteor shower. flow for three nights – from August 11 to 14,” Yakushechkin said.
The astronomer said that in clear and unlit skies, at least 60 Perseids can be seen per night. Meteors can be observed after the moon sets below the horizon until dawn. The constellation Perseus, where the radiant of the shower is located (an imaginary point in the sky where the continuations of the meteors that have flown by converge), will rise from behind the horizon in the northeast, the expert said.
A natural condition for observation is the absence of clouds in the sky. The second important condition is the absence of haze and light pollution from populated areas, as this will prevent the meteors that are weaker in brightness from being seen. To do this, it is better to get out into nature, away from cities and towns, advises Yakushechkin.
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