Here is the radiant point for the famous Perseid meteor shower. Although the 2011 Perseid meteors are picking up steam over the next several days, the brilliant moon will wash all but the brightest Perseid meteors from view. If you can find some way to get around the glaring moonlight, the wee hours before dawn on August 11, 12 and 13 should offer the greatest number of meteors for the night. Unfortunately, the full moon will be out in full force when the shower peaks on August 13.
Tips on how to minimize the moon and maximize the Perseids
Why are meteor showers often better after midnight and best before dawn? One way to think about it is this. The shower’s radiant point – the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to radiate – needs to be above your horizon before you can see the most meteors. Today’s chart shows the radiant point of the Perseid meteor shower – in the constellation Perseus the Hero – ascending in the northeast by about midnight and highest in the sky before dawn. The Perseid meteor shower is named for this constellation.
Will Mars appear as large as a full moon in August 2011?
How to see Mars in August 2011
Do you have to be able to identify the radiant point, or the constellation Perseus, to see the meteors? No. The meteors will appear in all parts of the sky – especially between midnight and dawn on the mornings of August 11, 12 and 13.
Full Moon and Perseid shower peak during the weekend
If – just for fun – you do want to spot Perseus, look first for the W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia. The constellation Perseus is faint, especially on these moonlit nights, but Cassiopeia is noticeable and can help you find it. If you do see a Perseid meteor, and trace its path backward, you will find that it radiated from a point in the sky within the boundaries of the constellation Perseus.
Double Cluster in Perseus: Two star clusters
Many people look forward each summer to the Perseids. It’s a great time to go camping. This shower always peaks around this time of year, and in years when the moon is out of the sky, it reliably produces 50 or more meteors per hour at its peak, or an average of about one a minute. Unfortunately, the full moon makes 2011 an unfavorable year for watching summertime’s best shower.
August 2011 guide to the five visible planets
Meteor enthusiasts will be on the lookout all the same, even though the full moon will wash out most of this year’s 2011 Perseid meteors.
Let us know if you see any!
seen it yesterday night!! i actually filmed it!!! we were wondering what it was…
Ottawa, Ontario
Saw a few meteors looking Northeast around 1:30 am. One in particular had a white tail following it horizontal which flew over us coming from the South. It was very surprising coming from that direction since we were facing Northward. We try to watch the Perseid Meteor Showers every year. Hopefully we will try again tonight even though the Moon was so bright. We used our home as a block from the Moon’s brightness in order to observe the few we saw. Good luck to others who enjoy watching the skies!!!
Forgot to mention we are located in Southeast Missouri.
In the Pacific NW, went out about 3 am when the moon had set, as suggested. We are in a very light polluted neighborhood but still saw a few and had a great time with binoculars and Saturn.
Just saw something fly over from the North to the south. Not sure what it was… it did not have a tail but did look like a star or space station? I’m in Richmond, TX.
I live in Clarksville,Tn. Went outside around 9cst. Saw about 20 meteors in about 10 mins. The moon was still seating low. They can be seen. But not very bright.
I was looking forward to this all summer especially after a spectular show last yr, but I’m sad that we in Newfoundland Canada is missing this amazing stellar event due to a horrendous weather (weeks of rain, clouds and fog :(
If you’ve got clear skies, its worth staying up for!
[...] to scan with binoculars. Also, if you wait until later at night, you’ll see the constellation Perseus rise in the northeast around midnight. This constellation is the “radiant point” of the Perseid [...]
[...] know were you spend the evening tonight, but I”d like to remind you of the Perseiden Stjaernfallen that are most prominent these days. I think to watch them is also a good remedy for the sadness [...]