It’s here. This is the weekend par excellence for amateur astronomers around the world: the big days of the Perseids.
When are the Perseids? Although it is possible to see them between July 17 and August 24, the truth is that the annual zenith occurs every year between August 11 and 13. Specifically, According to the National Geographic Institute of Spainthe peak of the Perseids in 2024 will occur on August 12 between 3 and 6 p.m. official peninsular time.
That is to say: the peak will be in broad daylight.
However, this is not particularly problematic in Spain. The best time to see them here will be in the hours before dawn on August 12 and 13. Not only because the Moon will set around midnight, but also because, as we explained, at the beginning of the night we will be on the “back” side of the Earth and the meteoroids will have to have a higher orbital speed than that of our planet to reach us.
After midnight, we will position ourselves towards the “forward” side from Earth and “any particle that is along our orbital path will enter the atmosphere at 11-72 km per second.” That is, almost anything will look like a meteor.
Where to see them? The usual recommendation is simple: go to places with clear skies and little light pollution. And this year we have the first high-resolution calibrated map of the Iberian Peninsula.
Once in the right place, the key is in the constellation of Perseusa constellation that resembles a human silhouette with an outstretched arm. Its declination of 45º to the north means that it never sets below the horizon when observed from Spain.
This is important because sometimes you choose locations that limit visibility in that area of the sky.
How to see them? What makes the Perseids reign over the rest of the astronomical events of the year is that we do not need to use no kind of gadget, binoculars or telescope. Just sit back and enjoy one of nature’s simplest and most beautiful spectacles.
Image | Dogan Rock
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