Perseid Meteor shower peaks this weekend

[babylonsister]

Perseid Meteor shower peaks this weekend

By ALICIA CHANG, AP Science Writer Sat Aug 11, 2:09 AM ET

LOS ANGELES - Summer's annual meteor shower promises to put on a dazzling show when it peaks this weekend — provided you're far from city lights. With no moon in sight to interfere with the Perseid meteor shower, skygazers can expect to spot streaking fireballs late Sunday into dawn Monday regardless of time zone. Astronomers estimate as many as 60 meteors per hour could flit across the sky at the shower's peak.

This year's sky show comes with an added bonus: Mars will be visible as a bright red dot in the northeastern sky.

"We have front-row seats this year," said Kelly Beatty, executive editor of Sky & Telescope magazine.

Last year's Perseid shower was somewhat of a dud because the moon's glare washed out many of the faint meteors. This weekend's meteor shower coincides with a new moon, which means the skies will be dark and perfect for viewing meteors.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070811/ap_on_sc/meteor_shower;_ylt=Aj1pB86QPhuFKBmmYaY1obus0NUE

[mittenlandgirl]

1. saw some last night

I go out in our backyard every year for the last 10 years to see these. My son and I enjoy sitting and talking under the stars while watching for them.

While the peak isn't until sunday/monday we saw 5 or 6 after midnight last night. One was a bright long one too! We have some light pollution (live on the edge of a small town that is on the outskirts of a city) but we can still see quite a few every year. :)

[bananas]

2. Astronomers want the public to take photos and videos

there's a rare meteor shower in September that astronomers want people to record on video and camera,
and want people to practice with Perseids this weekend:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=228x32784

[acmavm]

3. Cool! And just think, once upon a time these meteor showers were seen

as signs of great or disasterous events about to happen. People have been watching the skies since we descended from the trees and started to walk upright.

This stuff just fascinates me.

[hootinholler]

4. K&R