Gentlemen, mark your calendars on Aug. 13 and prepare to take your lady love out for a night of stargazing. The Perseid meteor shower will provide one of the best romantic experiences for you and your significant other as it is known to be the brightest celestial light show.
According to From Quarks to Quasars, the Perseid meteor shower is historically one of the brightest and most consistent meteor showers. Last year, the Supermoon hindered the lightshow. The light of the moon acted the same way as the light pollution created by city lights, and has led to disappointments for stargazers wanting to see the "shooting stars."
This year, however, the moon will not be an obstacle since it will not show up until after sunrise. According to Patch, the National Weather Service predicted clear skies for Wednesday and Thursday nights. Monday and Tuesday nights will have thunderstorms, as predicted.
According to American Meteor Society, the Perseid meteor shower starts from July 13 to August 26. Its peak will be on August 13 and stargazers are expected to see 50-75 meteors falling from the sky per hour. The website also provides a calendar for future meteor showers. NASA's report agrees but with an estimate of 100 meteors per hour and with a speed of 37 miles per hour.
NASA also noted, "If you see one meteor shower this year, make it August's Perseids or December's Geminids. The Perseids feature fast and bright meteors that frequently leave trains, and in 2015 there will be no moonlight to upstage the shower."
The Perseid meteor shower acquired its name from the constellation Persius, which was believed to be the origins of the meteor shower. The truth this is the debris from the comet 109/Swift-Tuttle as it passes through the inner solar system. The comet leaves the debris until the Earth passes by the debris on August, creating one of the year's most spectacular light show, according to Star Date.
Sadly, only the people who live above the equator can view this once a year event. Meanwhile, here are some tips to make the most of the phenomenon, according to Patch:
1. Find an open location away from bright city lights and other light pollution.
2. Bring something comfortable to sit or lie down on and try to fill your entire peripheral vision with the night sky. Low temperatures this week will be in the low 60s, so wear a sweatshirt or otherwise dress warmly.
3. Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. This can take up to 20 minutes and can be disrupted by looking at a bright phone or tablet screen. If you need to shine a light on something, use a flashlight with a red filter, the easiest color on your eyes.
4. Be patient. Give yourself anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour, and the streaking meteors should be easily spotted against the still night sky once your eyes are fully adjusted.
5. Don't worry about using telescopes or binoculars. Those devices may actually make it harder for you to see meteors, since they only cover a small portion of the sky. You should be able to easily see the show, and more of it, with just your own two eyes.
Relax and enjoy the show with a loved one watching the Perseid meteor shower at its peak on August 13.
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