The website Spaceweather.com is an excellent resource for tracking the outbursts and phenomenon that are driven by the cycles and episodes of our own home star.
Image credit: SDO/HMI
The website Spaceweather.com is an excellent resource for tracking the outbursts and phenomenon that are driven by the cycles and episodes of our own home star.
Image credit: SDO/HMI
The Perseids in 2024 promise a favorable viewing on the nights of August 11th and 12th. This meteor shower is quite reliable in providing a dazzling display of beautiful meteors, but you need to stay up late if you want the full effect. And you will want to find a dark location with little to no ambient light or city lights, if possible. Finally, you will want to dress well, because even on a warm day the evening can cool down quickly and make viewing unpleasant.
I have just published a podcast that outlines in detail the origin of the Perseids, the best way to view them, and other tips about this annual meteor shower. It is just a little over 20 minutes long and I think you will enjoy it. You can read more about the Perseids in this excellent article from Sky and Telescope. There are many online resources for more information, but you don't need to overcomplicate viewing of the meteor shower. The most important factors are a dark location, comfortable clothing, a place to sit or lie, a few good friends, and patience. You will see them, I can assure you.Give a listen to my Translunar Podcast here for more tips and inspiration. Wishing you clear skies and happy viewing.
Image courtesy Sky & Telescope.
"Tour the Summer Sky with Paul" from the Translunar Podcast series.
Read more: this writeup from the Celestron Telescope Company is an excellent summary of what you can see in the summer night sky.
Image courtesy of Panos Zoulakis / Wikimedia Commons
"Guiding Light: The Marvels of Polaris, the North Star" on the Translunar Podcast.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
"Observing Tips for the Moon" on the Translunar Podcast.
Image courtesy of NASA
"Seeing the ISS" on the Translunar Podcast.
Image courtesy NASA.