The Isle of Man’s famed dark skies status, combined with a new moon should make this one of the best places in the British Isles to see this year’ Perseid meteor storm.
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According to Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (Space), the “Perseids”, named after the Perseus constellation, is one of the brightest meteor showers as it produces upto 60 meteors per hour at its peak. “So don’t rush the process”. This year though, we’ll expect an even more spectacular show than usual thanks to the moon. But going to a rural area, away from urban spaces that are filled with light pollution, will increase the chances of seeing the Perseid meteor shower. “But if you see a smoke trail, it’s fun to watch through binoculars how the upper-level winds dissipate it”. The darker the sky, the better viewing experience you can have. Best viewing here shoud be between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m. Look to the north above the horizon.
Barring cloudy skies, this week’s Perseid meteor shower may be a classic, excellent show. The conditions to view the Perseids have not been this good for the Northern Hemisphere since 2010. You won’t need any special observing equipment, all you need is to be wide awake and keep your eyes largely open. Predicted peak mornings in 2015: August 11, 12 and 13.
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Seek for the darkest and clearest skies possible and leave behind the big city lights. NASA’s official website notes that this meteor shower features “fast and bright” shooting stars. The meteor shower has been observed for at least 2,000 years as the Earth passes through a cloud of the comet’s debris each August, causing small bits of dust to enter and burn up in our atmosphere at 37 miles per second.
