August 12, 2007

Shooting Stars

Tonight is ideal for watching the annual Perseid meteor shower. This should be an exceptional year, no moonlight to interfere and at least part of the night the sky should be clear. But you should try to get away from the light pollution in Takoma Park. Find someplace as dark as possible, preferably out in the country, relax on a blanket, let your eyes dark-adapt, and look toward the Northeast, no binoculars or telescopes.
The NASA guide to this year's Perseid shower
Sky and Telescope's guide

If you can't leave town, try to get away from the lights. If you can figure out a way to do that, you will see at least a few shooting stars, not one or more every 30 seconds as seen in less polluted areas, but some.

These shooting stars are called the Perseids because they seem to originate near the constellation of Perseus. If you recognize Cassiopeia, the big W, look in that direction because she's next to Persius.
Interactive constellation map

Current sky over Takoma Park (changes with date and time)
Imagine youself are lying down with your feet pointed south.

current sky over Takoma Park
image source

Posted by library at August 12, 2007 09:24 AM
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