Every year in August the night sky is lit up by the Perseid meteor shower and this year promises a bigger show than usual. Those dazzling streaks of light aren’t literally shooting stars, obviously, so we asked astronomer Jaymie Matthews what they really are.
What are shooting stars?
Shooting stars are tiny specks of space dust, no bigger than a grain of sand, passing through the upper reaches of the Earth’s atmosphere at 200,000 km/h, Matthews says. They are “tiny bullets” that generate enough heat to burn up about 100 kilometres above the Earth’s surface, leaving a trail up to 15 km long.
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Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2013 David Kingham combined 23 individual stills over several hours to depict a Perseid meteor shower.
Where do they come from?
Perseid meteors are the debris left by the comet Swift-Tuttle, a giant dirty snowball that sheds gas and dust on its orbit through our solar system as its surface evaporates from the influence of the Sun. This year we could see two to three times as many meteors per hour than in previous years, according to predictions by NASA.
Where should I go to see the Perseids?
Your backyard or a local park are fine places to watch a meteor shower.
But if you want to get away from the lights of the city and really see the show, head up to your your local ski hill. Hollyburn Mountain and Cypress Mountain are excellent choices. Mt. Seymour is even hosting a viewing party Aug. 12.
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Perseid meteors appear to emanate from the constellation Perseus.
Is there an optimal viewing strategy?
The streaks of light will appear to emanate from the constellation Perseus in the northeastern part of the sky. But Matthews says the best way to see the most meteor strikes is to look straight up in a location that affords the widest possible view without the influence of urban light pollution. The showers will peak late in the evening of Aug. 11 and 12.
What should I bring?
The scientific consensus is that s’mores — a concoction of graham crackers, melted chocolate and piping hot marshmallow — offer the right balance of sugar and caffeine to keep your viewing party lively and alert. A thick blanket or sleeping bag will provide you a comfortable place to lie down while you stare into the abyss.
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