August 12, 2010--Perseid
The weather's been lousy, the economy stinks, we are losing wars all over the place, everyone's heated up and worse. But there is one thing that can take you away from all of this. Actually transport you and your imagination. As soon as tonight.
I'm referring to the annual Perseid Meteor Shower.
It will be on full display at about 9:00 o'clock in the southern sky, assuming you can find a dark spot from which to watch and the weather gods cooperate.
In case you care, and there is no reason to, what you'll be seeing are not meteors but metiroites, in effect dust along the orbit of the comet Swift-Tuttle. The cloud consists of particles ejected by the comet as it travels on its immense orbit. Most of the dust in the cloud today is around a thousand years old.
And it is called the Perseid Meteor Shower because the trail of these dust particles, which burn up when they enter the earth's atmosphere, occurs in the Perseus Constellation. Perseus, by the way, is the legendary founder of Mycenae and of the Perseid dynasty there and was the first of the mythic heroes of Greek mythology whose exploits in defeating various monsters provided the founding myths of the Twelve Olympians. Perseus was the Greek hero who killed the Gorgon Medusa, and claimed Andromeda, having rescued her from a sea monster sent by Poseidon in retribution for Queen Cassiopeia declaring herself more beautiful than the sea nymphs.
As you can see, things were also tough back then.
Here are a few tips from NASA as to how best to take in the celestial show:
• Get as far away from urban light pollution as possible and find a location with a clear, unclouded view of the night sky.
• Search for the darkest patch of sky you can find, as meteors can appear anywhere overhead.
• Plan to be patient and watch for at least half an hour. A reclining chair or ground pad will make it far more comfortable to keep your gaze on the night sky.
• Put away the telescope or binoculars. Let your eyes hang loose and don't look in any one specific spot. Relaxed eyes will quickly zone in on any movement up above.
• Avoid looking at your cell phone or any other light. Both destroy night vision.
I especially like the recommendation that you avoid looking at your cell phone. In fact, I'd suggest that you throw it away altogether and while you're at it get rid of your TV. Or use it only to watch Mary Tyler Moore reruns.
And yes, a glass of red wine helps while out there looking at the sky in your bathrobe.
I'm referring to the annual Perseid Meteor Shower.
It will be on full display at about 9:00 o'clock in the southern sky, assuming you can find a dark spot from which to watch and the weather gods cooperate.
In case you care, and there is no reason to, what you'll be seeing are not meteors but metiroites, in effect dust along the orbit of the comet Swift-Tuttle. The cloud consists of particles ejected by the comet as it travels on its immense orbit. Most of the dust in the cloud today is around a thousand years old.
And it is called the Perseid Meteor Shower because the trail of these dust particles, which burn up when they enter the earth's atmosphere, occurs in the Perseus Constellation. Perseus, by the way, is the legendary founder of Mycenae and of the Perseid dynasty there and was the first of the mythic heroes of Greek mythology whose exploits in defeating various monsters provided the founding myths of the Twelve Olympians. Perseus was the Greek hero who killed the Gorgon Medusa, and claimed Andromeda, having rescued her from a sea monster sent by Poseidon in retribution for Queen Cassiopeia declaring herself more beautiful than the sea nymphs.
As you can see, things were also tough back then.
Here are a few tips from NASA as to how best to take in the celestial show:
• Get as far away from urban light pollution as possible and find a location with a clear, unclouded view of the night sky.
• Search for the darkest patch of sky you can find, as meteors can appear anywhere overhead.
• Plan to be patient and watch for at least half an hour. A reclining chair or ground pad will make it far more comfortable to keep your gaze on the night sky.
• Put away the telescope or binoculars. Let your eyes hang loose and don't look in any one specific spot. Relaxed eyes will quickly zone in on any movement up above.
• Avoid looking at your cell phone or any other light. Both destroy night vision.
I especially like the recommendation that you avoid looking at your cell phone. In fact, I'd suggest that you throw it away altogether and while you're at it get rid of your TV. Or use it only to watch Mary Tyler Moore reruns.
And yes, a glass of red wine helps while out there looking at the sky in your bathrobe.
posted by Steven Zwerling at
4:50 AM
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