Every year, Perseid rain (popularly known as the Tears of Saint Lawrence) It is one of the most anticipated natural sights. And while this may seem like a completely alien phenomenon to our planet, it is not, because the shooting stars we see for a few seconds interact with our atmosphere. Actually, They are small pebbles that ignite when they touch the air. and that’s why they shine like this before they disintegrate. Only the largest will reach the ground.
When to see them?
During 12 and 13 August nightsAccording to the National Geographic Institute (IGN), the best time to observe this natural phenomenon will occur, but the few nights before and after these dates will remain valid for enjoying the Perseids. This year, this spectacle will be favored by the practical absence of the Moon (its luminosity is nothing more than a source of light pollution), which will make us think of the meteor shower in all its glory, unless the sky is cloudy.
Where can I observe them?
What you need to do to see this meteor shower get away from cities and other sources of light pollution, as artificial light ‘erases’ stars from the firmament and significantly reduces the brightness of what can be seen. If we live in big cities (Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia…), unfortunately it will take several tens of kilometers to enjoy a sufficiently dark sky. On the other hand, for medium or small city centers we will already have the necessary conditions after a few kilometers. No need to climb any mountains or access complex places; It is enough to have a large piece of sky above our heads.
What does it take to see them?
Perseids, like any other meteor shower, cannot be observed with a telescope or binoculars because stars suddenly appear in unpredictable places and only take one to three seconds to travel their way. Then, all we need is our own eyes. Lying comfortably on the floor, or at least sitting, is the best way to enjoy Tears of San Lorenzo.
Where should you look?
The Perseids are so named because these shooting stars appear to ’emerge’ from the constellation Perseus. There is the focus where they emerge. But that doesn’t mean they’re more visible there. On the contrary, they can be seen throughout the sky, but they always take such a direction that they seem to have come out of Perseus. Therefore, the most practical thing would be to turn your back on Perseus and wait for them to come before our eyes.
How many stars can be seen per hour?
Before any meteor shower, astronomers always provide a meteor forecast per hour, that is, the average number of shooting stars that can be observed each hour. However, they are still estimates that often exceed reality. It is estimated that Perseids will be able to produce this year. 200 meteors per hourAccording to the National Geographic Institute, but even with half that figure, the show is warranted. Not a constant drop of stars, but a very frequent appearance.
What exactly are they?
Perseids are a shower of shooting stars, and so are tiny grains of sand or gravel (although they can sometimes be larger) that enter our atmosphere from space, and they ignite given the speed at which they do so. and that’s why they shine so brightly. As soon as they break apart, they come out.
HE space pebble produced by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, It orbits the Earth every 133 years and ‘releases’ tiny particles floating in space during their journey. Every time the Earth passes these particles, many of them fall into our atmosphere and form the Perseids. In other words, what we see shining in the sky are the pieces that comet left behind during its space travel.
Why are they also known as the Tears of San Lorenzo?
According to tradition, San Lorenzo (whose festival is celebrated exactly on August 10) He was martyred by being burned alive on the grill.. For this reason, these lightning bolts crossing the sky are interpreted as incandescent tears at the martyr’s martyrdom in the Christian tradition.
More about Heroes 2023: https://astronomia.ign.es/perseidas
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Contact address of the environment department: crizclimatica@prensaiberica.es
Source: Informacion
James Sean is a writer for “Social Bites”. He covers a wide range of topics, bringing the latest news and developments to his readers. With a keen sense of what’s important and a passion for writing, James delivers unique and insightful articles that keep his readers informed and engaged.