Perseid Night

Is there anyone planning a private get together of sorts anywhere for the perseids peak? Conditions ideal this year. I know AI have there watch with "largest grouping of astronomers in ireland", You mean biggest rip-off in Ireland.

Ronan

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Galway Astronomy Club

A&S Ltd. are having their star-b-q on the night of the 13th. If they were doing it for the persieds the night of the 12th would be the time, though I guess less people would (pay to) go on a Thursday night. S&T have a nice article this month about the shower btw. So any A&S subscribers here, go out on the night of the 12th, if you just go to the star-b-q you will probably miss the peak.

If I get a new car by then (basically it wore out, no I didnt crash it!) I'll be around wicklow somewhere on the Thursday, and I think Seanie mentioned something about a BBQ in Tullamore that weekend?

Cheers,
~Al

When's the peak for Ireland? Seems I've let my A&S membership lapse... what a pity :roll:

Astro2 will be organising a viewing session in the Maynooth area for the Maximum.

More details will follow as I make them up!

Bart.

Well Seanie whats the story??

hi folks,

I've reproduced below the piece in the current issue of Arcturus on the Perseid prospects for this year (with the actual peak times appended). We'll hopefully get somewhere in Wicklow, as Al mentioned, to see them.

not sure if you saw the note on irishastronomy.com Ronan where a fellow amateur astronomer from Israel will be in Galway during that week and is looking to link up with people for a Perseid watch?

all the best,

John

The waning crescent Moon, only four days from New, rises at 1h and will interfere only a little with observation of the Perseids that hit maximum this year on August 12th.

During the 1990s, the shower exhibited a double peak associated with the return of the parent comet, 109P/Swift-Tuttle, to the inner solar system in 1992. High rates were noted in the years following the comet's perihelion though the double peak seems to now have contracted into the single traditional maximum.

Recent studies suggest the Earth may this year pass close to the trail of debris left by the comet's return in 1862 which may lead to higher than normal rates with an extremely slim chance of storm levels.

If high rates do occur, then it is believed the outburst may only last a very short period, maybe only 15 minutes or so, with many faint meteors.

this peak, if it's there, is expected around 21h on 11/12 August. The more traditional maximum is due about 11h on August 12th (add one hour for Summer Time).