Perseid Earthgrazer Image Credit: S. Kohle & B. Koch (Astron. I., U. Bonn).
Tonight, Los Angeles skies will be filled with shooting stars. No, it's not a Hollywood hunting party. Tonight is peak viewing time for the Perseid meteor shower.
Every year since at least AD 258, the Perseid meteor shower has been observed as Earth passes through dust and debris from the Swift-Tuttle Comet of Perseus every August. This colorful display of shooting stars begins in July, but peaks in visibility on August 11th and August 12th. Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office states, "Earth passes through the densest part of the debris stream sometime on August 12th. Then, you could see dozens of meteors per hour." The light of the waning moon may obstruct some of the visuals but meteor rates are speculated as high as 200 per hour; this almost guarantees an impressive show even if only a small percentage of the meteors are visible.
A meteor shower can be characterized as a storm of shooting stars. According to legend, making a wish on a shooting star will make the wish come true. This belief is traced back to AD 127-151 when Greek astronomer Ptolemy wrote that Gods peer down at the Earth sometimes (as if from behind a curtain) from between the spheres. Sometimes the stars fall out of the gap and appear to us as shooting stars. In this instant, since we already have their attention, the Gods are more receptive to our wishes. Superstitions and spiritual implications aside, the Perseids are a miraculous vision. Perhaps you'd do well to have a few wishes handy just in case.
To add to your viewing pleasure of the Perseids in Los Angeles:
- Peak viewing time is between 9 PM and 11 PM PDT on August 11th and 12th.
- Make sure you have an open view of the eastern sky. If feasible, lay on your back to get a full view.
- Don't use binoculars or a telescope this year. You'll want a wide-angle view of the sky due to the light shining from the waning moon which may be an obstruction.
- Wrap in a comfy blanket or jacket, the nights have been a bit chilly
- Allow about 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the night sky and be patient.
- Keep an eye out for Earthgrazers. These rare beauties are long and colorful meteors that skim the Earth's atmosphere when the Perseus constellation hangs low in the horizon.
- Look where the skies are dark. Street lights and lights from your houses can dim the light of the meteors.
- Whatever your age, bring your childlike spirit. The miracles of our universe are awesome and wondrous. The particles you will see are thousands of years old. Do a little reading ahead of time so you can appreciate what you're about to witness.
- Last year the L.A. Times published this list of the best places to view a meteor shower.
- Follow Perseid meteor sightings on Twitter at #perseid or #meteorwatch.
Comments
Will I be able to see this in southern Indiana?
when should i look at the sky for the meteor shower
kevin fishcbach is sooo HOT
Chuck, you will be able to see the meteor shower if weather and other viewing conditions permit. Avoid artificial lights (like street lights), face east if you have an unobstructed view in that direction, and if the night is cloudy, look again on the next clear night. Hope this helps.
Someone ... the Perseids are visible through most of August with peak viewing on the nights of August 11th and 12th. Look to the east on any evening. The further you are from the peak dates, the fewer meteors you are likely to see. Thanks for your question.
will i b able to see it againg tonight??
Jay, yes can see them again tonight (August 12th). See my response to "someone" and "Chuck." Enjoy the show.
Awww. I missed it. I was tired. It was on from 12 to 5?
is it tonight??? or did i miss it?
will it be in arizona!!??
what if there big meteors not small and what if earth is gone after this night:(:(:( I LOVE THIS WROLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOONE MISSED IT ITS AT NIGHT 9PM TO 11PM DID U GUYS READ IT I DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jaja and Chuck,
Unfortunately, the meteors can't be seen from Arizona or Southern Indian this year. You must travel to just over the state boarder to see them. Be sure to wear sunglasses or the brighter meteors could burn your retinas. A welder's hood will ensure the highest degree of safety.
I am in Arizona and saw some last night when I was watering the lawn about 9:30 PM.
by the way I live in Glendale, Arizona.
Just like Sarah said she can see Russian from her house. Well…I can’t see Russian from my house but I able to see Perseid meteor shower from our northeast window each year. However, I’m completely disappointed this year due to the weather at the coastal, the cloud cover the sky; therefore, I see none.
Can they be seen from New York State?!?
like around upstate New York??
where is a good place to watch them in los angeles tonighT?
Can I see it in south Texas?
See L.A. Times photo gallery of best viewing places in Los Angeles at www (dot) latimes (dot) com/travel/la-trw-perseid-pg,0,2151146 (dot) photogallery?index=1:
Rox, the Perseids can be seen in South Texas. For information you may want to contact The South Texas Astronomical Society in Brownsville. Hope this helps. Happy stargazing.
All i saw was a shooting star. :D
Jasmine, the word "all" should be disallowed when referring to one of nature's miracles. ROFL. I know what you mean, though. I watched for about an hour and was fortunate enough to see 4 shooting stars. I still have cold in my neck from looking up in the night air --- gotta give myself some Reiki to remedy that problem tonight before I go stargazing again. Thanks for your comment. :)
i saw 2 bright ones last night 1-1:30am.. in CA, cupertino :) so pretty :) i like them i first saw them.. so exciting and so prettttttyyyyyyy!! :)))))))
i want to see it again! :)
we seen the shooting stars we seen a really big one and it looked really close i wished we could see more like that... we thought we were being attacked by aliens (: rofl
oh em gee i saw it outside and i thought it was lightning it came yesterday too. and im in vegas.
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