Possible Perseid Outburst

[bananas]

http://spaceweather.com/

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POSSIBLE PERSEID OUTBURST: This year's Perseid meteor shower could be even better than usual. "A filament of comet dust has drifted across Earth's path and when Earth passes through it, sometime between 0800 and 0900 UT (1 - 2 am PDT) on August 12th, the Perseid meteor rate could surge to twice its normal value," says Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office. The following profile is based on the debris stream models of veteran forecasters Jeremie Vaubaillon and Mikhail Maslov:



The filament was shed by Perseid parent comet Swift-Tuttle in the year 1610, and this is one of Earth's first encounters with it. "In addition," notes Cooke, "the main Perseid debris stream, which we run into every year, may be denser than normal due to a gravitational enhancement by Saturn. The total combination of these effects could result in as many as 200 meteors per hour (ZHR)."

Bright moonlight will overwhelm the outburst's fainter Perseids, but even a fraction of 200 is a good show. Science@NASA's "The Perseids are Coming" offers observing tips and sky maps.

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[LisaM]

1. Fantastic

I generally go out and lie down in our back yard to watch the Perseids - it's dark enough - I just hope that this year, we're not overcast (WA state).

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. Too cool.

I had planned on spending the night of the 12th-13th on the beach, but I think I'll move it up one night.

Thanks!

[bvar22]

3. Thanks.

Marking my calendar.
Moon set (1/2 moon) for my area is 7:09 PM,

http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.php

So the Moon shouldn't be a problem.
Hoping for clear skies.
May break out the tripod and go for some long exposures.

[pokerfan]

8. Lucky you!

For me the Moon rises around 10PM (PDT) on the 11th and remains up all night.

Where will you be observing from?

The Perseid meteor shower peaks around 17h to 20h UT. An earlier peak at 9h UT is also predicted. Active from July 17 to August 24. Produces swift, bright meteors (50 to 100 per hour) many with persistent trains. Badly affected by moonlight this year. Skywatchers in North America should observe in the pre-dawn hours of August 12.

[Captain Hilts]

4. I really enjoy this show. nt

[timeforpeace]

5. Not again. Is this going to happen every year?

[DCKit]

6. It's a really complicated schedule.

I usually just wait for the announcement - just like fireworks in July, you never know when it's coming.

[eppur_se_muova]

7. I heard the Perseids were just a phony astroturf group. nt