Perseids meteors, peak has passed

Wed 14th The buildup to the peak of the Perseids meteor shower activity is gradual, and often fruitful for watchers. After the peak, activity decreases quickly, and with more cloud over the UK at night, this year's show may have passed.

Sat 11th

Excitement is building in Astronomy circles and with amateur stargazers. The next few nights feature the peak of the Perseids meteor shower. NASA is calling it 'fireball champion' of annual meteor showers. A fireball being a very bright meteor, and more fireballs appear when the Earth is passing through the debris stream of a comet, i.e. the tail of Comet Swift-Tuttle. Every year in early- to mid-August, the Earth passes through a cloud of dust from this comet and ‘shooting stars’ are seen.
 
Tips from NASA for spotting the show, (cloud permitting);
“The best time to spot meteors is between midnight and dawn. This is because not only is it the darkest part of the night but also you’ll be standing on the side of the Earth moving into the dust cloud. The origin point of the shower is the constellation of Perseus, which can be seen in the northern sky. “

Perseus isn’t the easiest constellation to see, but if you know Cassiopeia (the W one),it is just about below that one. One plus point is that the moon isn’t full, so is adding to the darkness and allowing the meteors to stand out. The Moon will set early to mid evening.

So right time of year, moon is clearing off, what about the British weather?
The past few nights have had frustrating cloud about. Tonight, Monday night, just after the Perseid's peak (activity fades quickly afterwards) is looking promising. The daytime showers will be clearing the east coast of Britain in the early evening, and by midnight most of Britain will have clear skies. N.Ireland, disappointingly, will have cloudy skies, which will spread over the Irish Sea. It will be around 10-11C  worth wrapping up as the air will be damp.

If you miss a celestial display this time from the Perseids, there is always the Leonids in November. I can’t promise clearer skies then, bit early to say. Happy star gazing.