The moon will be a problem this year but our famous dark skies make Charlestown ideal for watching meteors streak through the atmosphere.
Read on to learn more.
Each year, the Earth passes through the debris of a comet called the Swift-Tuttle. This debris burns up in our atmosphere to form what we see as meteors or shooting stars. The Perseid meteor shower is at its peak during mid-August. In the US, it peaks on the night of August 12, 2011 and into the early morning of August 13. During a peak, at least 50–60 meteors can be observed during each hour. In 2011, however, the light of the full moon will likely obscure all but 20-30 meteors per hour. Considered the best and brightest meteor show of the year by many, it's a great opportunity to go outside and check out nature's own dramatic show.
Set your alarm clock. Go out to watch at or after midnight. The pre-dawn hours are usually the best for viewing because the Earth's side facing the sun picks up more meteors.
Pack a blanket, compass, bug spray, and snacks. Mittens or gloves and a warm hat are also a good idea for those who feel the cold at night. Bring a reclining chair if you don't fancy lying on the ground or holding your head tilted back all night.
Look towards the northeastern sky using your compass. The meteors can be seen using the naked eye. For closer views, use binoculars or a camera with a telescopic lens. You don't have to use these to appreciate the meteors, however, and these can obscure your view if you don't know where to look.
Look for the constellation Perseus. The stars of Perseus form somewhat of a "Y" or "V" shape and the meteors will seem to shoot outwards from a central point in this constellation. (Click on the night sky image above to enlarge it.) They will be visible, however, all over the sky.
If you want to take photographs, bring along a tripod. The tripod is important to prevent any camera movement when you take the photos. Put the camera focus on "infinity" and use an open shutter over a period of minutes if your camera can do this.
More information is available here.
Adapted from an article on Wikihow.com, used under the Creative Commons license.
