General Discussion > Science & Nature

Perseid meteor shower to light up night sky

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Simon:
Stargazers are in for a treat on Saturday night when the Perseid meteor shower lights up the sky.

The phenomenon brings up to dozens of meteors an hour, created when debris from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle collides with the Earth's atmosphere and burns up.

This year the event is expected to peak during the night of August 12, into the early hours of August 13.

In this period, up to 100 shooting stars an hour could be visible.

The natural display happens at a similar time in July and August each year, and can be seen around the globe - although is believed to be clearer in the northern hemisphere.

The meteors - which can be as small as a grain of sand or as big as a pea - hit the Earth's atmosphere at speeds of 134,000 mph (215,000 km/h) and heat up, resulting in the bright flashes which can be seen with the naked eye. The blazing debris does not pose any danger to us on Earth.

It is considered one of the best astronomical events because it produces bright meteors and is one of the most active.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66486813

Is this a new category on the forum?   :devil:

Clive:
Have you looked out of your window?   :dunno:  Lashing rain, gale force winds and skies as black as coal.   :laugh:  There must be an important astronomical event tonight.   :facepalm:

Simon:
It's not quite that bad here, just a bit grey and drizzly.  But as you say, not conducive to night sky observation.

Clive:
It's just lashing down now!  Incredible weather for August.   :o

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