Science Perseid meteor shower this weekend

[old.user4556]

Lots of space stuff going on at the minute, and the talk is that the Perseid meteor shower is not going to disappoint this year. The peak of the shower will be Sunday night into Monday morning, but there have been a lot of reports of viewings the past night or two, so there is a good chance of seeing things early tonight. The best part is that the weather forecast is for clear skies for most of the country, so for all you London whiners, GET OUT OF THE CITY.

http://www.meteorwatch.org/meteor-info/the-perseid-meteor-shower/

http://www.wjla.com/blogs/weather/2012/08/2012-perseid-meteor-shower-display-this-weekend-16381.html

 

[old.Tohtori]

I've always wondered if there's a possibility that the perseids could actually cause damage to "civilization". You know, smushed up rocks etc. Bet you spaceguys would know

Talking possibility here, as in freak chance etc.

 

[old.user4556]

No, because it's particles of dust.

 

[old.user4556]

For iPhone users, this app is brilliant for finding constellations.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/star-chart/id345542655?mt=8

 

[rynnor]

Saw 7 perseids tonight - 6 tiny ones and one brighter.

Saw a number of sattelites including one very bright one - ISS?

 

[old.user4556]

Most probably, both passes were very bright, first pass was quite low and went far into the east where as the second pass was quite high and disappeared overhead.

 

[old.Tohtori]

No, because it's particles of dust.

Then why is it called a mteor shower

 

[old.user4556]

Because they are meteors, and there are lots of them. Hence, meteor shower.

 

[old.Tohtori]

Huh, did not know that particles are defined as meteors. Cool.

 

[old.user4556]

Yes, therefore dust and tiny objects create meteors as streaks in the sky as they burn up.

Meteorites on the other hand actually reach the earth.

 

[old.Tohtori]

Yeah no, i just always thought a meteor had a size thing. It's not exactly something that you need defined or look up Learn something every day.

Any idea if there's a livestream of the sound they make this year?

 

[old.user4556]

I've not seen anything re the sound, worth a Google though.

Yeah, you say "meteors" to people and they think Armageddon or big rocks flying through the atmosphere (which indeed some of them are, but not these ones).

Further reading - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_impact_craters_on_Earth

 

[old.Tohtori]

Found it;

http://www.spaceweatherradio.com/

And

http://www.nasa.gov/connect/chat/perseids_2012.html

Listening to space is freaking weird since it's daytime, even if there's no such concept in space

 

[Tuthmes]

Seen 3 so far!

 

[Punishment]

Heard a meteorite hit ground a couple miles from where i live (well atleast the fizz of it coming through the atmosphere like it was within a couple of miles), while having a ciggy last night.

Wish i could find what landed it would be worth a mint

 

[dysfunction]

Wish i could find what landed it would be worth a mint

Possibly a polo if you're lucky

 

[TdC]

I went out on to the heather waaaay outside the city with a bunch of mates (even girls!). We brought some wine, chow and cameras. Sadly, the idiot in charge of the cameras "forgot" to check if they had T or B functions and also didn't bring a remote release gizmo so we have no pictures. Cracking night: we saw a whole bunch of *really* awesome Perseids and one of the girls told a bunch of awfully dirty jokes lol. The light pollution was shocking though, even way out on the heather. I'd say it went about 30-40% up to the zenith :-/

You get any pics in, G?

 

[old.user4556]

I saw fuck all. It was cloudy. Not happy.

 

[TdC]

aaarg too bad dude

 

[Lamp]

I saw Jupiter last night. Next to the moon. Bloody bright.

 

[old.user4556]

Yeah Jupiter is back in the sky now.

 

[Zenith.UK]

Popped my head out about 1.30AM last night and saw a glorious sight of a newly risen waning half moon, Jupiter shining brightly, the Pleiades just above and to the right of Jupiter and a clear sky showing many many stars. The only thing that could have put a cherry on the top would have been a meteor streaking through while I watched.

Looking forward to the Orionids in a months time.

 

[Lamp]

Will try to sneak out later for a spot of star-gazing.

Tomorrow's supposed to be warm & sunny but more cloud. Rain & cooler autumnal weather on its way.