Perseids Meteor Shower ~ holidays and notable events gifts supplies and resources at farmers market online

The Perseids Meteor Shower is one of the most consistently observable meteor events in the Northern Hemisphere, starting in mid-July and reaching its peak beween August 9 and 14, when the rate of observable meteors reaches up to 60 per hour.

To observe the Perseids, locate yourself away from any brightly lit community or highways that obscure the night sky. Local parks are usually good locations.

Lie down with the horizon in your peripheral vision. Once your eyes adjust to the dim light, the meteors will attract your attention as they fall from the sky.

2011 Forecast

The 2011 maximum for the Perseids Meteor Show is predicted for 6:00 Universal Time on the morning of August 13. That translates into the highest density of meteors on the evening of Friday, August 12, and early Saturday morning.

History

Observarion accounts of the Perseids Meteor Shower date back over 2,000 years, with the earliest recorded in the Far East.

The shower is named after the Perseus constellation because the point at which the meteors come from (the radiant) lies within its stars.

The meteors come from a cloud of particles created by the comet Swift-Tuttle during its 130-year orbit. The meteor shower occurs when the Earth's orbit moves through the cloud.

The Tears of St. Lawrence

Some Catholics refer to the Perseids Meteor Shower as the Tears of St. Lawrence, since the date of that saint's matyrdom was August 10.

Observation

The Perseids Meteor Shower is primarily visible in the early morning hours in the Northern Hemisphere, as this side of the Earth tends to pick up more meteors.