earned runs vacation 2019: meteors

Taken by Ahmed abd elkader mohamed [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)] (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

THE PERSEID METEOR SHOWER REACHES A MAXIMUM ON AUGUST 12-13 this year, although it will have been active since July 14 and extend to August 27.  Unfortunately, the presence of nearly a full moon on this date will make viewing the popular astronomical show difficult.
 
There are a several days before the event is to occur, over which to make a decision and prepare for the night-show activity.


A Space.com article “Perseid Meteor Shower 2019: When, Where & How to See It” by Sarah Lewin provides the particulars for interested sky and star-gazers. It references NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke, who is of the opinion that the peak night will be the evening of August 12-13.
 
Best to find an area of “dark sky” with the least nearby polluting earth light as possible, lay down in an open spot from which the northeastern sky can be seen, and be patient. Don’t forget to apply bug spray.  
 
If you plan to travel to a well-known dark-sky area, this year’s predicted dim showing may mean it will be less crowded than in years when the shower has promised to be spectacular. The 2019 event may not create a lot of enthusiasm. On my home turf, the east coast of Lake Michigan, astronomical shows can lead to traffic jams on the small roads and access drives to public areas, like state park beaches, where the openness creates the ability to view the entire sky away from city lights.  Perhaps not this year, though.
 
Remember to be thoughtful and courteous if you drive to a park. Dark sky park workers advise bringing flashlights covered with red or brown paper bag to preserve sensitivity to faint light.  The darksky.org webpage for the 2015 Perseid shower explains the concept of the radiant, “a point on the sky to which the tracks of the Perseid meteors all seem to trace back”.
 
For more details read the entire Space.com article. AND check the local forecast to determine if you can count on a clear sky.
 
RUN & MOVE & VACATION HAPPY!
 
https://www.space.com/32868-perseid-meteor-shower-guide.html
 
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/meteor-shower/en/
 
http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/

 https://www.darksky.org/tips-for-viewing-this-weeks-perseid-meteor-shower/

APerseid in 2007 By Brocken Inaglory - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2632873