Keystone-SDA
The middle of summer is the shooting stars season: in mid-August, the Meteor Rain of the Perseids will reach its maximum again. But this year, the full moon will play the spoilsports.
(Keystone-ATS) The first Perseids appear in the sky from the middle or the end of July. Their number then increases before reaching its peak on August 12. The full moon of August 9 will disrupt the observation of the Perseids. On the 12th, the nocturnal star will rise around 10:00 p.m. with its face turned towards 83%lit, significantly illuminating the sky.
This light will thus overshadow many of the weakest meteors. The impression of a rain of shooting stars will probably not happen this year, according to astronomers.
Comet dust
The Perseids are associated with the dust left by the passage of the comet Swift-Tuttle-named after the two astronomers who discovered it in 1862-on its orbit. Each year, around August 11 or 12, the earth crosses this orbit.
Comète dust then entered the earthly atmosphere at very high speed, producing luminous streaks in their path. They eventually disintegrate, before they can reach earthly soil. These luminous streaks can in particular be observed in the Constellation sector of Perseus, above the northeast horizon.
Dust particles have been dispersed for thousands of years on the orbit of the comet, explaining why shooting stars are present in the sky for a fairly long period before and after the peak of the phenomenon. It is sometimes possible to count to a shooting star per minute at the time of the peak of the Perseids.
Venus and Jupiter
Another spectacular event of the month will be Venus, which, rising almost three hours before the sun, will reach its longest period of visibility for this year. Jupiter will also be visible at the same time above the horizon. It will be possible to see with the naked eye how Venus, more brilliant, is close to Jupiter by the right until August 11 and moves away downwards from August 13.
In popular language, the meteors of the month of August are called “tears of Saint-Laurent”, in memory of Saint-Laurent, who died martyred on August 10, 258 under the reign of the Roman Emperor Valérien. Since then, according to legend, it has always been raining fire tears that day.
There is no need for special equipment to observe the Perseids: a long chair and a panoramic view is enough. The binoculars or telescopes are even an obstacle to identify the meteors who consume themselves in a few seconds, because the field of vision of such instruments is too small.